Have you upgraded to Windows 11? If you haven't, you're not alone.

      Windows users are hesitant to upgrade, and this poses a challenge for Microsoft.

      It appears that Microsoft has encountered a significant hurdle. The adoption rate for Windows 11 is much slower than anticipated, particularly when compared to the transition from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

      During an earnings call, Jeffrey Clarke, COO of Dell, shared some startling statistics. He noted that approximately 500 million PCs are capable of running Windows 11 but remain on Windows 10. That’s half a billion users who are simply... waiting.

      Additionally, Clarke mentioned there are another 500 million computers that are four years old or older and cannot upgrade due to Microsoft’s stringent requirements regarding processors and security chips (like the troublesome TPM 2.0 mandate). This has left these older machines unable to transition.

      This report follows a comment from Microsoft executive Pavan Davuluri, who suggested that “nearly a billion people rely on Windows 11,” but he did not clarify what that meant. The actual figures indicate a much more complex situation.

      Windows / Microsoft

      Windows 11: The free upgrade that nobody wants to take.

      This is a stark reality check. Microsoft concluded mainstream support for Windows 10 in October 2025, anticipating a mass migration. Instead, the market has divided into two groups:

      Half of users are on hardware that isn't eligible for upgrades.

      The other half could upgrade, but they simply choose not to.

      This reluctance poses a significant cybersecurity issue. It also complicates Microsoft’s plans to implement AI features universally. Dell views this as an opportunity to promote new “AI-ready” computers, but they caution that sales may remain stagnant through 2026. Lacking a compelling reason to upgrade, many users are sticking with their old, familiar setups.

      If you’re still using Windows 10, you’re certainly not alone, but you’re in a precarious position. With the end of mainstream security updates, your computer becomes increasingly susceptible to cyber threats.

      You essentially face three options:

      1. Purchase a new PC (which Microsoft and Dell hope you'll do).

      2. Pay for Extended Security Updates (ESU) to extend the security of your old machine for a little while longer.

      3. Take the risk and continue using an unsupported operating system (not advisable).

      For businesses, this presents a budgetary dilemma. Should they invest in security patches, or spend millions replacing perfectly functional hardware just to upgrade to Windows 11?

      Microsoft

      Implications for users

      Microsoft is in a challenging situation. There’s pressure to potentially ease the stringent hardware policies or find ways to make Windows 11 more appealing to encourage upgrades.

      At present, the company is banking on a new generation of AI-driven PCs to entice consumers. However, with a billion users currently caught in the “can’t upgrade” or “won’t upgrade” dilemma, persuading the public to transition may be one of the toughest sales pitches Microsoft has ever faced.

      You’re not imagining it: RAM and storage prices are rising rapidly.

      The demand for AI-driven chips is putting a strain on RAM and storage supplies, even for everyday users.

      What’s been happening? The bad news continues to pile up for those looking to build or upgrade their PCs. It’s not only GPUs and RAM that are becoming more expensive; SSDs are now facing similar issues, with chip manufacturers warning that shortages could last until 2026. A wave of shortages threatens to affect RAM, SSDs, and even hard drives, impacting both high-performance machines and standard systems.

      CyberPowerPC has publicly announced that it will increase prices on all systems starting December 7th due to a 500% spike in RAM costs and SSD prices doubling since October.

      Earlier this year, reports suggested that Nvidia's upcoming GPUs might feature significant VRAM upgrades. However, in light of the AI boom, both RAM and GDDR prices have surged, leading AMD and Nvidia to consider eliminating entry-level and budget GPUs altogether. Now, the situation has become even more complicated. Amid a worsening global memory shortage, Nvidia is rumored to be altering its GPU supply strategy. Instead of delivering fully populated boards (die + VRAM), they may start supplying only the GPU die, requiring board partners to source GDDR or HBM independently. If this occurs, it could vastly affect the flexibility of vendors and the number of cards available on the market.

      Leakster Golden Pig Upgrade Pack suggests that Nvidia might stop bundling VRAM with its GPUs to safeguard supply chains and reduce upfront costs.

      Risk of a bubble in the humanoid robot market, warns China. What if it bursts?

      We’ve heard a lot about an AI bubble recently. Now, it seems there’s another potential bubble forming in the tech industry.

      There has been considerable discussion about the so-called “AI bubble,” a scenario resulting from excessive investment in AI technology, causing its prices and valuations to exceed actual proven value, creating a metaphorical balloon that might eventually pop.

      Now, initial warnings are being raised about a similar bubble developing