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Windows 11 is finally official, and as is typical for a major release for a desktop-level operating system, there seems to be a buzz of activity surrounding what it brings and what it can run on. Previously, there was quite a bit of buzz over Windows 11's strict requirements over having an enabled Trusted Platform Module (TPM), although it looks like a good amount of computers out there have a firmware-level TPM that is usually disabled inside the BIOS. A quick flick of the switch inside the BIOS usually deals with that assuming other requirements like GPT are met.
 
However, there has also been reports that despite having an enabled TPM and meeting or exceeding all other basic requirements, that Microsoft's PC Health Check tool continues to report a system not being able to run Windows 11. Given that these reports seem to stem from users of first-generation Zen-based CPUs alongside Intel CPUs ranging from Kaby Lake or older, does this mean that those generations of CPUs are worthless? Not necessarily.
 
Microsoft has done a very poor job of communicating this, but there are actually 2 floors of requirements for W11; a SOFT floor, and a HARD floor.
Think of it as something akin to the minimum and recommended requirements of a video game, although, as mentioned before, Microsoft hasn't exactly done a good job of communicating this at all. As such, Microsoft's own PC Health Check tool only reports the requirements as it akin's to the SOFT floor, which in this case, is a TPM module of version 2.0 or later, and a generation of CPU that's Intel 8th gen or later, or Ryzen 2000 series or later.
 
So essentially, so as long as you have a 64-bit CPU that has 2 or more cores, at a clockspeed of 1GHz or higher, assuming you met all the other requirements, you can run and install Windows 11.
 
 
Sources
Compatibility for Windows 11
r/Windows11 thread regarding this
 
UPDATE #1
According to user Foxlet, the requirements did a switcheroo, with the hard floor now explicitly requiring a TPM that is version 2.0 or newer.
 

Looks tempting, especially that big battery 

Looking at the demo, I can already guess that AMD's solution probably won't hold up to NVIDIA's on a quality point-of-view.
 
But the fact that it works on any card down to an NVIDIA Pascal/AMD Vega is a potentially big deal, but we'll have to wait to see how it stacks up in the real-world.
 
Also, fun-fact. NVIDIA has a version of DLSS that doesn't need Tensor Core hardware.

Looking at the demo, I can already guess that AMD's solution probably won't hold up to NVIDIA's on a quality point-of-view.
 
But the fact that it works on any card down to an NVIDIA Pascal/AMD Vega is a potentially big deal, but we'll have to wait to see how it stacks up in the real-world.
 
Also, fun-fact. NVIDIA has a version of DLSS that doesn't need Tensor Core hardware.

Lots of crap.
 
A Redmi Note 10 (128GB + 6GB RAM SKU), a 20,000mAh battery bank and a LensPen FilterKlear.
 
Had them for over a week. I posted it now because it took over a week to process all the images.

Lots of crap.
 
A Redmi Note 10 (128GB + 6GB RAM SKU), a 20,000mAh battery bank and a LensPen FilterKlear.
 
Had them for over a week. I posted it now because it took over a week to process all the images.

Just a word of advice.
 
Don't buy that tripod, please. I had one very similar to it and it broke on an a6000 and an 80D, both of which resulted in bits of the screw being stuck inside the tripod screw hole, requiring both to be serviced. Get a tripod with some sort of quick-release mechanism. It'll cost a bit more, but trust me when I say that it'll save you from a big headache later on, or a Manfrotto Pixi.

It's probably due to the Xe-based iGPU and the various accelerators that are part of Tiger Lake amongst Intel-specific optimizations.
 
Worth nothing that the iGPU isn't as beefy as the ones on the U-series products.
 
I can actually confirm the Topaz Labs' suite performance with my own laptop running on an 1135G7. With that said, because the recent Topaz update better leverages a dedicated GPU, any laptop with a beefed-up discrete level GPU made in the last few years will still outperform TGL, although we are comparing apples to oranges here.

It's probably due to the Xe-based iGPU and the various accelerators that are part of Tiger Lake amongst Intel-specific optimizations.
 
Worth nothing that the iGPU isn't as beefy as the ones on the U-series products.
 
I can actually confirm the Topaz Labs' suite performance with my own laptop running on an 1135G7. With that said, because the recent Topaz update better leverages a dedicated GPU, any laptop with a beefed-up discrete level GPU made in the last few years will still outperform TGL, although we are comparing apples to oranges here.

It's probably due to the Xe-based iGPU and the various accelerators that are part of Tiger Lake amongst Intel-specific optimizations.
 
Worth nothing that the iGPU isn't as beefy as the ones on the U-series products.
 
I can actually confirm the Topaz Labs' suite performance with my own laptop running on an 1135G7. With that said, because the recent Topaz update better leverages a dedicated GPU, any laptop with a beefed-up discrete level GPU made in the last few years will still outperform TGL, although we are comparing apples to oranges here.

Essentially, it's just like that Gordon Ramsay meme.
 
AMD screws up: "Oh dear, oh dear. Gorgeous..."
 
Intel screws up: "You fucking donkey..."

Essentially, it's just like that Gordon Ramsay meme.
 
AMD screws up: "Oh dear, oh dear. Gorgeous..."
 
Intel screws up: "You fucking donkey..."

Essentially, it's just like that Gordon Ramsay meme.
 
AMD screws up: "Oh dear, oh dear. Gorgeous..."
 
Intel screws up: "You fucking donkey..."

Essentially, it's just like that Gordon Ramsay meme.
 
AMD screws up: "Oh dear, oh dear. Gorgeous..."
 
Intel screws up: "You fucking donkey..."

Essentially, it's just like that Gordon Ramsay meme.
 
AMD screws up: "Oh dear, oh dear. Gorgeous..."
 
Intel screws up: "You fucking donkey..."

This week has been a bit of a frenzy when it comes to new stuff, which includes;
 
A laptop stand that's actually pretty cheap but ultimately, I found not very good for typing since my palms keep touching the base of the stand. The Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR. I've been wanting an ultrawide zoom for the Fujifilm X-T3 for a really long time, and when I saw that the venerable 10-24 f/4 R OIS was updated with weather-resistance, improved OIS, a slightly lighter build and a marked aperture ring, I got it not long after my local store has them. It's no 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR in terms of optics, but especially with this golden copy, "happiness noises" is underestimating how chuffed I am with it. A ThinkTank camera battery holder, capable of holding 4 batteries. Anyone with Fuji cameras powered by the NP-W126/S (or Sony cameras powered by the smaller FW50) knows how fast these beasts chew through their powerpacks. The battery holder gives me something to help keep them organized instead of just lumping them inside plastic bags.

This week has been a bit of a frenzy when it comes to new stuff, which includes;
 
A laptop stand that's actually pretty cheap but ultimately, I found not very good for typing since my palms keep touching the base of the stand. The Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR. I've been wanting an ultrawide zoom for the Fujifilm X-T3 for a really long time, and when I saw that the venerable 10-24 f/4 R OIS was updated with weather-resistance, improved OIS, a slightly lighter build and a marked aperture ring, I got it not long after my local store has them. It's no 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR in terms of optics, but especially with this golden copy, "happiness noises" is underestimating how chuffed I am with it. A ThinkTank camera battery holder, capable of holding 4 batteries. Anyone with Fuji cameras powered by the NP-W126/S (or Sony cameras powered by the smaller FW50) knows how fast these beasts chew through their powerpacks. The battery holder gives me something to help keep them organized instead of just lumping them inside plastic bags.

This week has been a bit of a frenzy when it comes to new stuff, which includes;
 
A laptop stand that's actually pretty cheap but ultimately, I found not very good for typing since my palms keep touching the base of the stand. The Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR. I've been wanting an ultrawide zoom for the Fujifilm X-T3 for a really long time, and when I saw that the venerable 10-24 f/4 R OIS was updated with weather-resistance, improved OIS, a slightly lighter build and a marked aperture ring, I got it not long after my local store has them. It's no 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR in terms of optics, but especially with this golden copy, "happiness noises" is underestimating how chuffed I am with it. A ThinkTank camera battery holder, capable of holding 4 batteries. Anyone with Fuji cameras powered by the NP-W126/S (or Sony cameras powered by the smaller FW50) knows how fast these beasts chew through their powerpacks. The battery holder gives me something to help keep them organized instead of just lumping them inside plastic bags.

Get the a7Riii and use the money saved on accessories.
 
I used both the a7Riii and a7Riv and whilst the a7Riv has the better AF and a much better, more ergonomic body design, image quality is more of a sidegrade.

Just got a compact low-profile ballhead for my mini-tripod. I sold one extra one the other day, but realized I ended up with having no useful head. Had to go down and get one, and ended up with the Benro GX25 not just for the dimensions but also due to it having a panning clamp. It actually looks great when paired with the Leofoto LS-223C.
 

 

Looks and feels like it's real wood. Entire grip seems to be made out of the stuff.

Looks and feels like it's real wood. Entire grip seems to be made out of the stuff.

Back to getting photography gear. 
 
Got a Smallrig L-bracket for the Fujifilm X-T3, complementing the other Smallrig bracket that I have attached to the optional vertical battery grip. 
 
The main reason is that carrying the X-T3 together with the battery grip has been hard especially as an everyday carry since it makes the camera much heavier, more akin to a beefed up DSLR than a relatively compact mirrorless setup. This should help whilst giving me more to hold onto in order to improve comfort especially with larger glass like the XF 50-140 f/2.8. 

 
 

Back to getting photography gear. 
 
Got a Smallrig L-bracket for the Fujifilm X-T3, complementing the other Smallrig bracket that I have attached to the optional vertical battery grip. 
 
The main reason is that carrying the X-T3 together with the battery grip has been hard especially as an everyday carry since it makes the camera much heavier, more akin to a beefed up DSLR than a relatively compact mirrorless setup. This should help whilst giving me more to hold onto in order to improve comfort especially with larger glass like the XF 50-140 f/2.8. 

 
 

Get the a7Riii and use the money saved on accessories.
 
I used both the a7Riii and a7Riv and whilst the a7Riv has the better AF and a much better, more ergonomic body design, image quality is more of a sidegrade.