As Windows 11 approaches its second anniversary and continues to lag behind Windows 10 in market share, speculation has been rife about Microsoft's plans for Windows 12. A recent comment from Intel's chief financial officer, Dave Zinsner, during an earnings call has added fuel to the rumors.
Zinsner did not explicitly mention Windows 12, but he referred to a "Windows Refresh" expected in 2024. His comments align with the ongoing rumors about the next OS release. Speaking at the Citi 2023 Global Technology Conference, Zinsner indicated that Intel anticipates this "Windows catalyst" will invigorate its client-side business in the coming year, suggesting a significant shift for the aging installed base.
If the earlier rumors hold true, Zinsner's remarks could imply that Intel's upcoming Meteor Lake processors will be optimized for Windows 12, potentially driving robust shipments upon the OS's release. This collaboration between the new OS and CPUs could usher in a new era of AI-based tools and client-side hardware working in synergy, promising substantial advancements over their predecessors.
Anticipated for a second-half 2024 introduction, Windows 12 might build upon the AI features introduced in Windows 11's 23H2 update. This could include an expanded integration of generative AI throughout the OS, enhancing search, image editing apps, and Microsoft 365. Furthermore, Windows 12 might feature a redesigned user interface and revised partitioning for improved security and patch management.
Microsoft's potential approach with Windows 12 signifies a deviation from the conventional OS upgrade cycle, especially considering Windows 11's struggle to gain dominance among users. Statcounter's report indicates that over 70 percent of Windows users still favor Windows 10, while Windows 11's adoption has remained stagnant at around 23 percent since April. Steam's software survey shows slightly better results, with Windows 11 holding a 37 percent adoption rate.
In parallel, the upcoming Meteor Lake processors, with dedicated AI acceleration cores, aim to enhance system responsiveness for AI-related tasks. AMD's recent Ryzen 7000 mobile CPUs have also introduced a dedicated engine for Windows Studio Effects. Microsoft is reportedly collaborating with both CPU vendors to integrate AI features into Windows 12, suggesting an exciting future for the OS and the hardware it will power.
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