Upgrading my laptop

[Scarlett]

I’m one of the luddites still happily using a Windows 10 based (small and portable - Dell XPS13) laptop who sees no need to replace the laptop just because I can’t upgrade it to Win11. There’s no ‘pull’ factor, or ‘want’ to upgrade to something newer. My laptop functions fine, does everything I need of it at home or when travelling and honestly still looks great. I like it as a ‘thing’. (Interestingly my smartphone is just an object or a tool to me and I have no attraction to it)

Now, Microsoft of course, WANT me to upgrade to a newer machine and previously next week was going to be end of life for Win10 (the ‘push’ factor). So I’d been looking at a used/refurbished newer model of my laptop that runs Win11. Microsoft have recently relented on the forced change (in part thanks to EU rules!) and are now going to provide continuing security updates for another year for Win10.

In theory I therefore don’t need to do upgrade. But, and this question is for those IT professionals lurking on AFF, should I upgrade anyway? Is there something I don’t know about older tech versus newer tech that I’m missing and mean I probably should upgrade to something newer? Or is this a classic example of planned obsolescence from the IT industry designed to get me to buy yet another newer laptop?

 

[SYD]

Is your laptop operating ok?

My desktop boots like an 80yo walking knee deep in porridge - so it’s been on my “to do” list to replace it….

 

[moa999]

just because I can’t upgrade it to Win11.

There are some tools that can help you update laptops or PCs that fail the default Win 11 checks, normally secure boot or TPM.

I can recommend Flyoobe (formerly Flyby11) which is hosted on GitHub. Upgrades to Win11 and helps you to turn off some of the bloat that may slow older machines.

GitHub - builtbybel/Flyoobe: Fly through your Windows 11 setup 🐝

Fly through your Windows 11 setup 🐝. Contribute to builtbybel/Flyoobe development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

I've updated a 2012 era Toshiba Z830 (possibly similar era to the first Ultrabook XPS13s).

As always would recommend backing key files up first. The tool will do checks first and then basically downloads straight from windows just bypassing checks.

 

[kookaburra75]

If there is no urgent or desperate need, stick with what you have. My Acer Swift laptop is 5 1/2 years old and ticking away ok, although I am running Windows 11 on it without any issues. I did have to replace the battery as the capacity had dropped to 20% of its original capacity - $80 and an hour's work (Youtube is your friend for doing computer repairs or maintenance).

The big thing though, is making sure you have everything backed up, preferably cloud based (Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive) and at least one other source. I use a 512GB SD memory card as it's small and quick and can carry it with me. The free Microsoft back up tool SyncToy works well. If the laptop dies/breaks/stolen all I need is another computer I can plug the card into.

 

[VPS]

If there is no urgent or desperate need, stick with what you have. My Acer Swift laptop is 5 1/2 years old and ticking away ok, although I am running Windows 11 on it without any issues. I did have to replace the battery as the capacity had dropped to 20% of its original capacity - $80 and an hour's work (Youtube is your friend for doing computer repairs or maintenance).

The big thing though, is making sure you have everything backed up, preferably cloud based (Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive) and at least one other source. I use a 512GB SD memory card as it's small and quick and can carry it with me. The free Microsoft back up tool SyncToy works well. If the laptop dies/breaks/stolen all I need is another computer I can plug the card into.

I thought you couldn't use synctoy any more or was I confused?

 

[serfty]

Anyone know of a good Win 11 debloat tool.

I upgraded a machine to Win11 two months ago and it noticeably runs much slower. I only use it for some scheduled background processing but it frustrating when I do need to access it.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Anyone know of a good Win 11 debloat tool.

I upgraded a machine to Win11 two months ago and it noticeably runs much slower. I only use it for some scheduled background processing but it frustrating when I do need to access it.

Try this suggestion. GitHub - Raphire/Win11Debloat: A simple, lightweight PowerShell script to remove pre-installed apps, disable telemetry, as well as perform various other changes to customize, declutter and improve your Windows experience. Win11Debloat works for both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

 

[tgh]

GitHub - Raphire/Win11Debloat: A simple, lightweight PowerShell script to remove pre-installed apps, disable telemetry, as well as perform various other changes to customize, declutter and improve your Windows experience. Win11Debloat works for both

A simple, lightweight PowerShell script to remove pre-installed apps, disable telemetry, as well as perform various other changes to customize, declutter and improve your Windows experience. Win11D...

github.com

or you could buy a macbook…..

 

[kookaburra75]

I thought you couldn't use synctoy any more or was I confused?

You can't download it from Microsoft, but there are other reputable sites you can get it from. I've had no issues using it with Windows 11. It's simple and it just works.

 

[Cossie]

GitHub - Raphire/Win11Debloat: A simple, lightweight PowerShell script to remove pre-installed apps, disable telemetry, as well as perform various other changes to customize, declutter and improve your Windows experience. Win11Debloat works for both

A simple, lightweight PowerShell script to remove pre-installed apps, disable telemetry, as well as perform various other changes to customize, declutter and improve your Windows experience. Win11D...

github.com

or you could buy a macbook…..

I bought one, it did not have a touch screen, so I sent it back.....

Trackpads and the like are so dated..... imo.

 

[Scarlett]

Thanks for the replies all. I guess I’ll look for a replacement again in another year.

Is your laptop operating ok?

My desktop boots like an 80yo walking knee deep in porridge - so it’s been on my “to do” list to replace it….

It’s fine. Boots quickly and runs well. I don’t point it at any of the more ‘interesting’ corners of the www, nor download too much to it so it should still work smoothly!

There are some tools that can help you update laptops or PCs that fail the default Win 11 checks, normally secure boot or TPM.
<snip>
As always would recommend backing key files up first. The tool will do checks first and then basically downloads straight from windows just bypassing checks.

All my checking indicates it doesn’t have TPM. Are you suggesting that Flyoobe can upgrade me to Win11 even without TPM, or that Microsoft are sometimes disingenuous with their default checks? (The Dell site also says my machine is not compatible for Win11)

If there is no urgent or desperate need, stick with what you have. My Acer Swift laptop is 5 1/2 years old and ticking away ok, although I am running Windows 11 on it without any issues. I did have to replace the battery as the capacity had dropped to 20% of its original capacity - $80 and an hour's work (Youtube is your friend for doing computer repairs or maintenance).

The big thing though, is making sure you have everything backed up, preferably cloud based (Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive) and at least one other source. I use a 512GB SD memory card as it's small and quick and can carry it with me. The free Microsoft back up tool SyncToy works well. If the laptop dies/breaks/stolen all I need is another computer I can plug the card into.

That’s what Ive been thinking. No real push or pull factor to upgrade. Interesting on the battery. I guess mine has suffered too so maybe I’ll just be happy getting that replaced.

Yes, I do backup a couple of times a year to an external hard drive. Generally before going on an overseas trip!

or you could buy a macbook…..

 

[tgh]

..and to earn my ritual forking,I ask..
Do windows touch screen lovers find the cost of tissues and windex burdensome…..

 

[kookaburra75]

Follow these instructions to get a report on the health of your battery. If it's still showing 50% or higher I wouldn't worry about changing it. If you are looking at putting in a new battery, the Dell XPS13 can be a bit tricky - I used to have one. Dell computers will only accept a Dell sourced battery, they check the serial number on start up. The easiest way would be to use a computer repair shop.

Windows 10 Battery Report: What It Is and How to Use It

A battery report helps you monitor the health of your device's batteries. Here's the PowerShell battery report command for Windows 10 and help reading the results.

www.lifewire.com

 

[jbman]

I’m one of the luddites still happily using a Windows 10 based (small and portable - Dell XPS13) laptop who sees no need to replace the laptop just because I can’t upgrade it to Win11. There’s no ‘pull’ factor, or ‘want’ to upgrade to something newer. My laptop functions fine, does everything I need of it at home or when travelling and honestly still looks great. I like it as a ‘thing’. (Interestingly my smartphone is just an object or a tool to me and I have no attraction to it)

Now, Microsoft of course, WANT me to upgrade to a newer machine and previously next week was going to be end of life for Win10 (the ‘push’ factor). So I’d been looking at a used/refurbished newer model of my laptop that runs Win11. Microsoft have recently relented on the forced change (in part thanks to EU rules!) and are now going to provide continuing security updates for another year for Win10.

In theory I therefore don’t need to do upgrade. But, and this question is for those IT professionals lurking on AFF, should I upgrade anyway? Is there something I don’t know about older tech versus newer tech that I’m missing and mean I probably should upgrade to something newer? Or is this a classic example of planned obsolescence from the IT industry designed to get me to buy yet another newer laptop?

You can get at least another year of updates for windows 10 of via enrolment via MS Windows 10 Extended Security Updates | Microsoft Windows

Use your machine for another year and see what happens with Windows 11 next year.

 

[moa999]

Are you suggesting that Flyoobe can upgrade me to Win11 even without TPM

Yes. Basically there is a way to install it that turns off the TPM check.

There are a number of ways to do it but Flyoobe is pretty straightforward and GUI based.