Windows 11 is being fixed, and that’s not just lip service. Microsoft is making meaningful changes to its operating system. Menus are being decluttered, legacy components are being revamped, and features like Xbox Mode are reshaping Windows 11.
Just this week, we saw that Microsoft has plans to fix context menus on Windows 11 and get rid of the page-tall menus that plague PCs. Microsoft also committed to making Windows 11 perform better on systems with only 8GB of RAM.
I’ve talked about Windows 11's improvements several times this year in the Windows Wrap. Generally speaking, I’m happy that they’re happening but confused about Microsoft's timing. On top of questions like "Why did it take several years to make Windows 11 look nice?" There are also usability questions like "Why did Microsoft start selling a Surface with only 8GB of RAM before optimizing Windows 11 to work on that machine?"
Now, don’t get me wrong, Windows 11 can run on a system with only 8GB of RAM. I think many tests performed online are done in bad faith. Some people have dozens of Chrome browser tabs open and a bunch of apps running at once and then complain about performance.
You can get work done on a PC with that amount of memory, as proven by our own Cale Hunt, who tested Windows 11’s memory optimization by limiting his PC to 8GB of RAM.
But by Microsoft’s own admission, Windows 11 needs to be better on low-memory systems. With the cost of RAM skyrocketing and not looking like it will go down at any point in the near future, it’s more important than ever for Microsoft to optimize Windows 11.
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Earlier this year, Microsoft started selling Surface PCs with only 8GB of RAM, specifically the Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch. I appreciate the gesture. In today’s economy, getting a PC with too much RAM or too much storage for your everyday needs can cost hundreds of dollars extra.
I covered several Surface deals this week, including some options that are up to $450 off. While that is a significant savings, those deals are all on models of the Surface Pro (13-inch) with 16GB of RAM. It’s still difficult to find that type of Surface Pro under $1,200.
Many people just want a PC that’s reliable and that can handle their everyday tasks. Even those shopping in more premium categories, such as Surface, often prioritize design and form factor over getting the highest specs. For those types of customers, an 8GB RAM Surface makes sense, but not if Windows 11 is still a problem.
Microsoft put the cart before the horse with the 8GB Surface PCs. The tech giant responded to the RAM crisis with more affordable PCs, but Microsoft failed to optimize Windows 11 for lower memory first.
To me, that shows a disconnect between the Windows and Surface teams at Microsoft.
Shopping with Sean
Until Microsoft fully optimizes Windows 11 for PCs with only 8GB of RAM, you might feel a bit of a pinch in performance with that amount of memory. The current discounts on Surface Pro get you more memory without having to pay as much of a premium.
The best Surface Pro deals are spread across Amazon and Best Buy this week.
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