Microsoft is making headlines this week with a series of significant updates impacting its users. From strategic shifts in data center plans to exciting deals on Microsoft Office and some hiccups with Windows 11, there's a lot to unpack.
AI Expansion Leads to Price Adjustments
Microsoft is adjusting its data center strategy in response to the growing demands of artificial intelligence. The company is reportedly reducing data center plans and increasing prices, a move that effectively shifts the financial burden of AI expansion onto its users. This bold decision could reshape the tech landscape as other companies observe and potentially follow suit.
This change in strategy reflects the substantial investment required to support AI infrastructure. By passing some of these costs to users, Microsoft aims to maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving AI market. It remains to be seen how users will react to these price increases and whether it will impact adoption rates of AI-powered services.
Sweet Deals on Microsoft Office Home & Business
In more positive news, there are some fantastic deals available on Microsoft Office Home & Business Suite! Right now, you can find the suite at a significantly reduced price, sometimes as low as $16.50, compared to the regular price of $120-$220. This is a fantastic opportunity to grab a legitimate copy of Microsoft Office for a fraction of the usual cost.
These deals typically allow you to digitally download and install the program on a single computer, making it a convenient and cost-effective solution for individuals and small businesses. Keep an eye out for these limited-time offers to save big on essential productivity software.
Windows 11 Update Woes and JPEG XL Support
Unfortunately, not all news is good news. Recent Windows 11 updates (KB5050094 and KB5051987) are causing performance issues for some users, particularly those with newer Intel desktop processors. These updates appear to interfere with CPU speeds, especially when applications are minimized or out of focus. This "massive throttling" can significantly impact overall system performance.
The good news is that older Intel processors seem to be unaffected by this issue. If you're experiencing performance problems after installing these updates, you may want to consider rolling back to a previous version of Windows 11 until Microsoft releases a fix.
On a brighter note, Microsoft has added JPEG XL support to Windows 11. Users on version 24H2 can now download the JPEG XL Image Extension from the Microsoft Store. This extension enables the operating system to view and save images in the new JPEG XL format, which offers better compression, higher image quality, and support for advanced features like animation and alpha channels.
With the extension installed, you can also convert existing JPEG files to the lossless JPEG XL format, significantly reducing file size without sacrificing image quality. This is a welcome addition for photographers and anyone who works with images regularly.
"The JPEG XL format is optimized for web environments so that content can be displayed on a wide range of devices."
In conclusion, Microsoft is undergoing significant changes, from adjusting its business model to accommodate AI expansion to introducing new features and addressing performance issues in Windows 11. Stay tuned for further updates as these stories develop.