Windows 11

[humbert]

Check out this link: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2553253/google-unveils-willow-quantum-chip-that-smashes-all-modern-records.html -- I ever thought they'd actually pull it off given the complexities of quantum physics.

Maybe young guys like Shadow or Vasudev might be alive the day a laptop with this CPU is available for sale.

[harkaz]

@humbert Yes, it is expensive (also consider inflation). If someone needs to save money, the refurbished/used market also has excellent offers. I need a lot of RAM for virtualization and it is the first thing I look into. The price tag should have been around 3k for the HP, but NVIDIA Ada graphics (AI bubble) bumps up the price.

@scarface Looks fine as a basic laptop, at an affordable price.

[humbert]

@harkaz - Doesn't it make more sense to do all this heavy work on desktop? Or do you have to move around a lot such that a desktop is inconvenient?

How much RAM do you need? It's not that expensive. I have 64GB on the desktop and 32GB on the laptop. 16GB doesn't cut it any more, in fact I'd say it's the bare bones minimum.

BTW I'm sure you told is this before but I forgot. Are you in Athens or another city in Greece?

[harkaz]

@humbert I am in Athens. I run most programs in VMs (for security reasons), so 64 GB RAM and strong CPU is necessary.

A desktop makes a lot of sense financially, however a laptop offers portability. I have a 5 yrs old Clevo DTR maxed at 128 Gigs of RAM and 4 SSDs (14 TB storage). Everything is fine for my needs.

[humbert]

@humbert I am in Athens. I run most programs in VMs (for security reasons), so 64 GB RAM and strong CPU is necessary.

What VM Program do you use? After trying with both VirtualBox and VMWare, I decided to keep VirtualBox. Do you run a copy of Windows and several distros of Linux on the VM, or something else?

With respect to the CPU, I'd advise anyone to buy the strongest one then can afford. But not even with a quantum CPU will the VM run fast. In fact when testing software I've run into programs that won't even install on the VM. This is especially true of Windows. Linux almost never has that problem.

A desktop makes a lot of sense financially, however a laptop offers portability. I have a 5 yrs old Clevo DTR maxed at 128 Gigs of RAM and 4 SSDs (14 TB storage). Everything is fine for my needs.

Do you have a job where you need to move around and carry the computer with you? I'm asking because when I do this sort of thing, I sit comfortably and home and use the desktop. I'm thinking you might not have that luxury due to your job.

[harkaz]

@humbert I use HyperV and VMWare. HyperV offers advanced features such as PCI passthrough (this can be used to isolate any PCI device such as network cards) and GPU paravirtualization (this allows the VM to take advantage of onboard GPU resource, but at the cost of security risk). VMWare can take advantage of onboard USB ports.
My job may require traveling, but this is occasional. But I also enjoy having the system ready for any trip or vacation. This was something I missed when I used a desktop. A desktop is not that easy to move around. Plus, the machine has proven itself to be durable and easier to repair than most modern laptops.

[Vasudev]

Any time you buy a laptop (or anything else, for that matter) you buy it according to what you're going to use it. It is also critical to keep in mind that technology advances at light speed. After 3 years your laptop will probably still to what you want it to do, but it's essentially obsolete despite that. Check the specs carefully and go as high as you can afford. Certainly you have Amazon in France. Have you checked what they have? Do you have Newegg? They also have tech stuff at reasonable prices and run specials every now and then.

Vasudev: I just tried the file you suggested. It says "Not applicable to your computer" and promptly shuts down. I already tried using Stock ISO's downloaded directly from M$. They failed too.

Harkaz: I was not aware there was some sort of issue with MSI laptops. I have an MSI laptop I bought some 1½ to 2 years ago to replace the one I bought in 2014. So far I have no complaints.

Sorry I was held up with work so couldn't check back and didn't get any email notifications. Any USB devices connected like Hello Camera, Fingerprint, TPM etc. Its strange when stock ISO with telemetry refuses to install.

What do you think of this computer?
https://www.cdiscount.com/informatique/ordinateurs-pc-portables/pc-portable-gamer-erazer-scout-e30-17-3-fhd/f-1070992-30036597.html

Its good spec-wise. Keyboard quality is usual clevo which will feel mushy and less tactile. Its better to get external keyboard for best experience. CPU and GPU is quite good for the price. Similar spec'd machine in India costs a lot almost 2x-3x.

[Vasudev]

Updated Windows 10 and 11 ISO Dec 2024 edition:

Windows 10 ISO 22H2 ISO
Windows 10 22H2 SHA256 Hash

Windows 11 23H2 ISO
Windows 11 23H2 SHA256 hash

Windows 11 24H2 was somewhat buggy and updates were not integrated properly on Pro so deleted that ISO and didn't upload. Oct 2024 is much better than more buggier Dec update.

EDIT: Fixed the integration issue with 24H2
W11 24H2 Dec 24 ISO
W11 24H2 Dec 24 Hash

[humbert]

Updated Windows 10 and 11 ISO Dec 2024 edition:

I downloaded the Windows 11 23H2. Maybe this one will actually work. Just a quick question: did you test it well before uploading it? If so, does the command line open immediately? Did you find any other issues with it?

[Vasudev]

Check out this link: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2553253/google-unveils-willow-quantum-chip-that-smashes-all-modern-records.html -- I ever thought they'd actually pull it off given the complexities of quantum physics.

Maybe young guys like Shadow or Vasudev might be alive the day a laptop with this CPU is available for sale.

Not sure if it will become the standard just like classical computer since quantum computer are made to solve hard problems that are applicable to classical computer. It will be like a seperate tech that will help cybersecurity, quantum physics models verification, cryptography, find new materials etc