Microsoft has announced memory-management improvements for Windows that could make laptops with 8GB of RAM more responsive. The changes may help budget and midrange PCs compete more closely with Apple's MacBook Neo, which also has 8GB of memory.
More active data stays in memory
Microsoft says Windows can now keep up to 2GB more active data in RAM rather than moving it to slower storage. As a result, apps and browser tabs may need to reload less often when users switch between tasks.
The company reports that everyday actions--including opening Settings, searching the PC and launching File Explorer--can be up to 20% faster than in January. Microsoft Edge may open up to 33% faster, while Teams could launch up to 20% faster on 8GB machines.
In a multitasking test involving browser tabs, a 4K video and several Office files, Microsoft says performance improved by 40%. The company also reports memory savings across Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook, while some background features now use less RAM when not in use.
A stronger option for everyday computing
These changes could make 8GB laptops a more appealing choice for people with typical browsing, communication and document needs. They do not make that memory capacity ideal for demanding professional work, and real-world performance will vary by device and workload.
By improving how Windows uses existing hardware, Microsoft's updates could help keep affordable laptops capable for longer as software demands evolve.
