COVID and the iPhone 6

We’re still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic six years ago in many aspects of our lives. When it came to technology, lots of businesses made huge investments to accommodate remote workplaces. If you haven’t made any investments in your technology since then, it’s like using an iPhone 6, which was released in 2014.

What’s the connection? It’s the speed of change. The iPhone 6 debuted 12 years ago. Think about how the performance of your current iPhone compares to an iPhone 6 – or any single-digit model. Remember, we’re up to iPhone 17.

Now, think about all the equipment you bought six years ago to meet the computing needs brought on by the COVID19 pandemic. In half the time that it took the “revolutionary” iPhone 6 to become a benchmark for obsolescence, your COVID-era technology is now obsolete.

Windows-based computing has advanced in four key areas since 2020, starting with the introduction of Windows 11 in 2021. It featured a new interface for improved windows management and productivity features such as Snap Layouts and virtual desktops to help you organize your workspace better.

But the big stuff was under the hood.

Windows 11 includes several security features like Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, and passwordless authentication options such as Windows Hello and Passkeys to protect against cyber threats. Administrator Protection is a new feature that adds an extra layer of security by requiring Windows Hello authentication for admin tasks, reducing the risk of unauthorized system changes.

Windows 11 also brought Microsoft Copilot: An embedded AI-powered tool to help with tasks like summarizing documents, drafting emails, and managing system settings. It also made possible Smart App Control that predicts which applications are safe to run, enhancing security. It was also much faster, making it better able to handle all the tasks we require for complex computing and cloud technology.

For today’s typical business needs, the minimum required specs for a Windows-based computer include an Intel 8th Generation or AMD Ryzen 3000 series processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It’s also essential to have the Windows 11 operating system to meet ever-evolving cybersecurity measures and the speed requirements to use cloud-computing effectively. In addition, Microsoft has ended support for Windows 10, and that system will no longer get security updates and bug fixes. Eventually, too, better-performing application software won’t work with it.

We can help you get your hardware up to date. Call us – 973-433-6676 – or email us for an audit.

Going Straight to the Cloud

We now have some operating experience with the Windows 365 Cloud PC we recently started using. It’s a cloud-based PC service that lets you access your entire operating system, applications, and files from any device with an internet connection.

We’ve given it a real-life test over the past six weeks or so, and the big advantage is that we don’t need to lug along a laptop computer anymore. Now, all you need is the Windows 365 Link, a small, 8-oz. device that connects you directly to your Windows 365 Cloud PC. Designed for corporate use, it’s priced at $349.

The device runs a simplified version of Windows called Windows CPC, with no local applications or data storage. It can work with a laptop computer, a tablet or a mobile phone. We prefer the tablet because its display is more practical than a phone for looking at documents, spreadsheets, PowerPoints or anything else you might view on a computer screen.

You can connect the device to a monitor – or even dual 4K monitors – if you are working in an office environment. It has four USB ports, an audio port, an HDMI port and a DisplayPort. I like all the internet connectivity options: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 or an Ethernet port. For business travelers, you never know what will be available. I’ve been able to log into my Cloud PC account from hotel rooms and cruise ships – as long as a stable connection is available.

I like the security measures that can’t be disabled, such as a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chip, BitLocker encryption, and password-less authentication options. Its minimal operating system reduces the attack surface and integrates with Microsoft Intune for management. Those features are great for implementing and managing security when you have multiple users. There’s also no local data storage. If the device is lost or stolen, nobody can tap it for sensitive data.

The irony is that the laptop became a go-to computer because you can take it anywhere and have full computing capabilities. Now we have an even smaller device that fits the way most of us who travel do business.

We can help you and your road warriors get up and running with Windows 365 Link and your Windows 365 Cloud PC. Call us – 973-433-6676 – or email us to answer any questions you have and get everyone who needs a device all set up.