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Now playing: Watch this: Microsoft demos new Windows 11 Microsoft further says PC makers including Dell, HP, Lenovo and others are planning “hundreds of new Windows 11 designs” for the holiday season. In some operating system overhauls, that can mean interesting new hardware with valuable new features. 
CNET Windows Report

Windows 11 system requirements

Spec Requirement
Processor 1GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip
RAM 4GB
Storage 64GB or larger storage device
System firmware UEFI, Secure Boot capable
TPM Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
Graphics card Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
Display HD (720p) display greater than 9 inches diagonally, 8 bits per color channel
Internet connection and Microsoft account For Windows 11 Home edition: internet connectivity; Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use For all Windows 11 editions: internet access to perform updates and to download and use some features; Microsoft account for some features

But there have always been legit reasons to keep your old hardware on its current OS and not upgrade. The switch between Windows 7 and Windows 8 was… rocky. Many people skipped Windows 8 and held out for Windows 10, which was much better. Some of those holdouts even resisted Windows 10, with some valid concerns. 

The OS upgrade calculation

Read more: Who should buy a new Mac now and who should wait
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Here’s what we know so far. Windows 11 is coming Oct. 5, though not to every PC right away. (You may have to wait until mid-2022 to install it.) The system requirements as outlined by Microsoft would seem to cover nearly any Windows PC sold today. To make sure Windows 11 will work on your current computer, you can install Microsoft’s PC Health Check here. Must-haves for Windows 11 include at least 4 gigabytes of RAM, 64GB of storage and a 720p display measuring over 9 inches diagonally. The company also says, “Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use.” 
Dan Ackerman/CNET

Reasons to buy a laptop now

Here’s a full list of the system requirements for Windows 11. 
Microsoft also makes its own line fo Surface PCs, including the Surface Go. 
Windows 8 was a great example of that. That OS launched alongside a dizzying array of inventive (or just plain weird) new hybrid laptops designed to take advantage of the new touch features built into Windows 8. 
Additional reporting by Mary King.

Read more: How to check whether your laptop will run Windows 11

Since its launch in 2015, major Windows 10 updates have all gone smoothly on any PCs I’ve used or tested. As Windows 11 appears to be a modest overall update, focused in large part on the appearance of menu bars and grouped windows, I — at this moment — have no qualms about buying a Windows 10 laptop now and waiting for the free Windows 11 update later this year. 
If you’re thinking of buying a new laptop now, I don’t see any major CPU/GPU updates coming before next year that would change my mind. Nvidia’s latest 3000-series mobile chips started showing up in laptops earlier this year (although it’s possible the Ti versions of those may show up in laptops at some point).

Reasons to wait for Windows 11

For Windows 11, with the promise of new built-for-Windows-11 systems, there may be new design ideas and new hardware features we haven’t seen yet. But aside from potentially haptic feedback for pens, I haven’t heard anything that would make me think I’ll miss out by buying a new laptop now. 
It’s one of the biggest technology buying hangups: Is my new purchase going to be immediately obsolete? Or at least outdated? That kind of FOMO can lead to long delays in buying a laptop, phone or tablet, always waiting for the next update or upgrade. With the announcement of Windows 11, laptop and desktop shoppers are in this familiar situation. 

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The gaming updates coming to Windows 11 are mostly based on the Xbox app, and any updates there should come to Windows 10 as well. And if you upgrade to Windows 11 later, I don’t see any reason it should affect gaming hardware. 
You can also easily stick with Windows 10 for now, if you’d rather. That OS will continue to be supported with updates and patches (and most importantly, security updates) until at least 2025. 

One of the weird and occasionally wonderful new laptop designs that launched alongside Windows 8 in 2012. I don’t expect anything as revolutionary this time around.