Today’s Windows experience feels surprisingly similar to the days of Windows XP and Windows 7, despite faster CPUs and more RAM. A recent benchmark by [TrigrZolt] puts this notion to the test. They compared various Windows versions: XP, Vista, 7, 8.1, 10, and 11, all on a Lenovo ThinkPad X220 outfitted with an Intel i5 2520M CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB HDD.
The results are intriguing. Windows 8.1 had the quickest startup, thanks to its Fast Boot feature. In contrast, Windows 11 lagged behind significantly, struggling to display the taskbar after showing the desktop. Interestingly, Windows XP boasted the smallest install size and lowest RAM usage—only 800 MB compared to a whopping 3.3 GB for Windows 11.
When testing memory management using the Chrome-based Supermium browser, Windows 7 and 8.1 excelled, managing to keep over 200 tabs open before hitting the RAM limit. Surprisingly, Windows XP performed poorly due to a virtual memory issue, while Windows 11 faltered the most.
This pattern continued through other tests. Windows 11 scored last in battery efficiency and took the longest to render video projects or open applications. The sluggish performance of Windows 11 even drew attention from Microsoft, prompting them to introduce workarounds for slow parts of the OS, like File Explorer.
Many experts point out that this trend affects modern software development. As systems are built for more powerful hardware, the focus shifts away from performance to features, often leading to increased bloat and slower operations.
To add some context, the technology landscape has changed considerably. According to a report by the International Data Corporation, PC shipments surged by about 13% in 2020, primarily due to the pandemic. While hardware capabilities have improved, the efficiency of software has lagged behind, creating a paradox where we have powerful machines running less efficient systems.
This raises questions about the future. Are we prioritizing features over performance too much? As our reliance on technology increases, balancing these two aspects will be crucial for smoother user experiences.
