Kyle Alspach

We’ve rounded up our biggest takeaways from Microsoft Inspire 2021, including on Windows 365, Azure updates and Microsoft’s launch of new partner programs.

Microsoft Channel Chief Rodney Clark spoke at Inspire 2021 about partner opportunities in Azure and AI, digital skilling investments and other updates for partners.

Microsoft is launching a simplified virtual desktop service, Windows 365, that aims to bring Windows 10 (and eventually Windows 11) to any PC or mobile device.

Microsoft announced its planned acquisition of RiskIQ to accelerate the company’s zero trust security strategy.

Apple and Dell led the way on U.S. PC shipment growth in Q2 of 2021, according to Gartner, while HP and Lenovo saw PC shipments drop.

We compare the Microsoft Surface Go 2 vs Apple’s iPad Pro (M1) for 2021 on display, keyboard, processor, battery life and other specs, as well as price.

Apple has been forced to delay the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with a new M series processor and mini-LED displays until Q3 of 2021.

President Biden signed an executive order that is expected to boost independent repair services providers, and is welcomed by the “right to repair” movement.

There have been a number of major Microsoft executive departures in 2021 so far, while Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is among the executives who have seen a change in their role.

Solution provider MCPc has spun out its cybercrime prevention and incident response business as Fortress Security Risk Management.

HP could make a Xerox acquisition bid, as the HP stock price (HPQ) has increased and the Xerox stock price (XRX) has decreased since Xerox’s takeover bid failed.

CRN compares the new Apple MacBook Air (M1) vs HP’s Spectre x360 14 (with Intel Core i5 or i7) on price, portability, battery life and other specs.

Microsoft’s Windows 11 CPU and TPM requirements appear to stem from the company’s zero trust security strategy.

Microsoft says that some PCs with Intel 7th-gen chips or AMD Zen 2 processors may end up being compatible with a Windows 11 upgrade, though presumably only PCs with a TPM 2.0 chip.

Our review of HP’s Elite Folio finds strong battery life, a helpful pull-forward display and an eye-pleasing design with the use of a vegan leather on the exterior of the laptop.

We compare the price and specs for two of the best Windows 10 laptops that will be ready for Windows 11—the new Dell XPS 13 vs Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 4 (with Intel or AMD Ryzen CPUs).

Microsoft said that TPM chip requirements for Windows 11 will start at TPM 1.2, thought TPM 2.0 is recommended.

Lenovo is unifying its partner programs across PC and data center solutions with the new Lenovo 360 partner program launching in early 2022.

Lenovo announced that its new global partner program, Lenovo 360, will launch in early 2022 and will bring together the company’s PC and data center businesses.

Makers of industrial robots and drones, as well as robots for construction and landscaping, are included on our list of the coolest robotics startups of 2021 so far.