Microsoft to Boost Windows 11 Efficiency for 8GB PCs Amid Competition from Apple’s MacBook Neo
Analyst Jitesh Ubrani says Apple’s low-priced MacBook Neo is prompting Microsoft to improve Windows 11’s RAM usage on 8GB systems, beyond concerns about a DRAM shortage.
Microsoft is increasing efforts to make Windows 11 run more efficiently on devices with 8 GB of RAM, according to IDC Research Manager Jitesh Ubrani. While a global DRAM shortage has raised costs, Ubrani attributes the push primarily to competition from Apple’s budget MacBook Neo, which offers comparable performance at a lower price point.
The MacBook Neo, priced around $688, has demonstrated strong memory management in tests, reportedly handling up to 60 open applications without slowdown. By contrast, a Dell XPS 13 with the same amount of RAM reportedly uses about 70 % of its memory even before launching any programs.
Ubrani said, "> The introduction of the MacBook Neo is putting real pressure on the entire PC ecosystem. We expect vendors to respond with a combination of new silicon, a more efficient OS from Microsoft, and aggressive promotional pricing."
He added that the competitive pricing of the Neo is influencing not only Microsoft but also other PC manufacturers to adopt more cost-effective strategies and improve hardware efficiency. Microsoft’s response is expected to focus on software optimization and collaboration with hardware partners to ensure Windows 11 performs well on lower-memory configurations.