3nm CPUs Are Coming! - WAN Show July 2, 2021

The WAN Show episode from July 2, 2021 kicks off with a lighthearted introduction and then dives into timely Windows 11 hardware requirements, focusing on TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and CPU compatibility. The hosts discuss Microsoft’s stance that TPM and secure boot deliver measurable malware reductions, and they consider the implications for systems with PCIe 4.0 support and ongoing hardware availability. They note that Windows 11 will display compatibility warnings for older CPUs and that some older processors might still be usable through insider builds, but final support remains uncertain. The conversation turns to practical concerns around TPM, including the challenges of adding TPM to existing builds, firmware integration, and the varying TPM header designs across motherboard vendors. They stress that while TPM improves encryption and security features like BitLocker, it can complicate repairs and data recovery for older machines, highlighting the need for robust backup strategies. The hosts recount real-world realities of hardware lifecycle, the cost of upgrades, and the trade-offs between security modernization and user accessibility. The discussion then broadens to security best practices and data protection, emphasizing the importance of backups and multiple storage copies. They explain why cloud backups, local NAS setups, and off-site copies matter, especially in the event of hardware failure, theft, or disasters, and they weave in bakery-level analogies to illustrate data resilience. Sponsorship segments interrupt the flow, but they segue back to the core tech topics with continued discussion on Windows 11’s security posture and the broader industry trend toward secure-by-default platforms. The show also touches on Linus’s personal updates, including a house tour teaser, with the hosts riffing on interior design quirks and the potential for future behind-the-scenes content. As the episode progresses, the hosts connect Windows 11’s requirements with practical outcomes for software developers, gamers, and IT professionals, framing the OS upgrade as a compromise between newer security features and support for older hardware. They close the Windows 11 debate by noting the four-to-six year horizon for transitioning, and how software optimizations will likely favor newer CPUs and architectures. The conversation then pivots to storage and NAS solutions, with a focus on ensuring data safety and exploring affordable how-to setups using older hardware, RAID configurations, and cloud backups, all while stressing user education about data risks. The episode ends with a rapid-fire suite of topics including viewer questions, additional tech news, and a sign-off that teases future content and more in-depth house upgrade adventures.

Topics · technology · hardware · security · operating_systems · data_storage