| From: Don Green | 11/3/2024 8:53:25 PM | | | | | | A Discussion on AI Chips in Personal Computing
Nov 3, 2024
Participant 1: ( ME) What are the benefits of having an AI chip in a laptop or desktop?
Participant 2: ( CHATGPT) AI chips enhance performance, energy efficiency, productivity, privacy, and user experience. They handle tasks like image recognition, natural language processing, and more efficiently than traditional CPUs. AI chips process data locally, improving privacy and extending battery life.
Participant 1: But without access to massive databases and datasets outside your laptop, what’s the value?
Participant 2: True, a lot of AI’s value comes from server-based resources. AI chips excel at speeding up on-device tasks like photo editing and voice recognition. They complement cloud-based AI rather than replace it, handling everyday tasks efficiently while the heavy lifting happens on servers.
Participant 1: I disagree with the marketing of AI in personal computing. Without resources like ChatGPT or Copilot, they seem overhyped and misleading.
Participant 2: You’re right. AI chips in personal devices enhance some tasks but don’t match server-based AI capabilities. Think of them as a handy multitool, not a fully-equipped workshop. They add value but in a different, more limited scope.
Participant 1: So, for deep analysis of an extensive Excel data sheet, an AI chip on a laptop would be useless without supporting resources like ChatGPT?
Participant 2: Exactly. For deep analysis, server-based AI is key. AI chips can speed up processes but don’t replace the robust capabilities of cloud-based AI. They’re useful for quick tasks but not for heavy lifting.
Participant 1: I thought local analysis would enhance privacy, but deep analysis needs external resources.
Participant 2: Right. Local AI chips keep your data private but for in-depth analysis, cloud-based AI provides the necessary computational power. Balancing both offers the best of privacy and performance. |
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| From: Don Green | 11/4/2024 8:27:21 PM | | | | | | A summary of a conversation I had with ChatGPT regarding Apple's Innovation.
- Historical Context: Apple’s Evolution as an Innovation Icon
Apple's foundation was built on redefining user interaction with technology, and this ethos has consistently been reflected through a series of groundbreaking products and cultural shifts that defined entire industries:
- Early Disruptive Products: Apple’s earliest hits, the Apple II and Macintosh, were more than just innovative pieces of hardware; they represented a cultural revolution. The Apple II made computing accessible to a broader consumer base, moving it from niche enthusiasts or corporate settings to individual homes. The Macintosh, with its revolutionary graphical user interface (GUI) and mouse, introduced users to a more intuitive way of interacting with computers, making technology accessible to artists, educators, and non-technical users. This early emphasis on user experience and creativity established Apple as an emblem of both technological innovation and cultural progressiveness.
- Resurgence with Design and Ecosystem: In the late 1990s, under Steve Jobs’ return, the iMac arrived as a bold statement not just technologically but aesthetically. The translucent, colorful design, in stark contrast to the beige boxes of its competitors, demonstrated that technology could also be an art form. This was a turning point that redefined computers as lifestyle products rather than just productivity tools. The introduction of macOS (formerly OS X) tied hardware and software together in a seamless experience, foreshadowing Apple’s strategic “walled garden” approach.
- Redefining Entire Industries: Apple’s trajectory took a profound turn with the launch of the iPod in 2001. The combination of iTunes and the iPod redefined how people purchased and interacted with music, creating a seamless digital ecosystem that ultimately disrupted the entire music industry. Then came the iPhone in 2007, which not only redefined smartphones but also created a whole new platform for mobile applications, forever altering the way we communicate, work, and entertain ourselves. The iPhone’s successful blend of hardware, software, and services established Apple’s prowess in integrating an entire ecosystem where the sum was far greater than its parts.
These milestones underscore Apple’s evolution into a tech leader—not just by creating exceptional products but by reshaping user expectations and entire industries. Apple's holistic control over both hardware and software cemented its reputation for quality and integration, a hallmark that made the slowdown in recent innovation particularly noticeable.
- Recent Trends: Incrementalism Over Transformation
Recent updates to core Apple products, especially the iPhone, suggest a noticeable shift from transformative leaps to more gradual, incremental improvements.
- Feature Fatigue: The annual iterations of the iPhone have brought incremental upgrades, such as improved camera systems, slightly enhanced battery life, and new titanium bodies in the Pro models. While these updates add quality and refine the user experience, the “wow” factor of earlier iPhones is largely absent. Apple’s focus has shifted towards nuanced improvements that are often technical rather than experiential—making it harder to differentiate between generations and, consequently, to justify the premium pricing for users.
- Limited New Offerings: In the last decade, Apple’s focus on iterating its existing product lines rather than launching groundbreaking new categories has become evident. The Apple Watch and AirPods represented the last major product launches that found mass market traction. Since then, Apple has largely relied on annual product cycles, with the iPhone continuing to anchor its ecosystem. This reliance potentially signals a risk of stagnation, as users may grow more price-sensitive or attracted to unique features offered by competitors, such as foldable devices from Samsung or advancements in AI integration by Google.
- Mac Pro and Professional Tools: Declining Appeal for Professionals
Historically, Apple’s Mac Pro series served as a workhorse for creative professionals—video editors, 3D artists, developers, and musicians who needed both power and flexibility. However, recent models have alienated some of these users:
- Locked Ecosystem Limitations: The 2019 Mac Pro brought back some of the modularity and expandability that professionals loved, but the subsequent shift to Apple Silicon has reintroduced constraints. The current M-series Mac Pro models do not allow third-party GPU upgrades or certain other component swaps, locking users into a pre-determined configuration. This restriction clashes with the very flexibility that power users value, hindering the ability to modify or enhance systems as project requirements change.
- Performance vs. Flexibility: The M-series chips deliver remarkable performance metrics, particularly in terms of efficiency and integration, yet they lack the modularity that allowed users to upgrade their systems over time. Power users—those who often require GPU upgrades or specialized hardware—have increasingly found Apple's latest pro offerings limiting. As a result, many have shifted towards Windows workstations or custom Linux setups that offer a more tailored and upgradeable experience.
This decline in flexibility is significant, as it signals a loss of faith among some of Apple’s most loyal professional users—those who helped build the brand’s credibility in creative industries.
- Media and Entertainment Devices: Mixed Success and Market Reception
Apple’s ventures into media and entertainment devices have had varying degrees of success, highlighting the challenges of entering crowded and fast-evolving markets:
- Apple TV: Despite the quality of Apple TV 4K and its integration with the Apple ecosystem, it struggles against cheaper alternatives like Amazon Fire Stick and Google Chromecast. Without significant exclusive features, Apple TV lacks the competitive edge to dominate in an already commoditized streaming device market. Its main advantage—integration with other Apple services—makes it appealing primarily to those who are deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, rather than the average consumer.
- Vision Pro: Announced with much fanfare, the Apple Vision Pro is a mixed-reality headset that aims to integrate AR/VR into everyday life. However, its high price point, along with a lack of clearly defined use cases that resonate with the average consumer, has led to mixed reviews and lukewarm enthusiasm. The Vision Pro’s narrative as a futuristic, all-encompassing device hasn't yet translated into a practical must-have, unlike the iPhone or iPad, whose value propositions were immediately clear.
Without a distinct user-centric approach, these products risk being viewed as niche luxury items rather than transformative mainstream offerings. This highlights the difficulty Apple faces in diversifying away from its reliance on the iPhone.
- Financial Focus and Profit-Driven Strategy Over Innovation
Apple’s immense success with the iPhone has naturally shifted its incentives towards maintaining and maximizing its profit streams, yet this approach may come at a cost to its innovation edge:
- iPhone Dependency: The iPhone accounts for over half of Apple’s revenue, creating a significant risk if market dynamics shift. The dependence on iPhone sales has led to risk aversion in exploring groundbreaking technologies that might not immediately contribute to revenue growth. The focus remains on predictable, incremental improvements to keep existing users upgrading rather than pursuing the sort of disruptive innovation that characterized Apple’s earlier years.
- Product Line Consolidation: The current Apple lineup shows consolidation around a few core products, with much of the innovation aimed at boosting services and subscriptions rather than hardware breakthroughs. Services like iCloud, Apple Music, and Apple Fitness+ generate substantial recurring revenue but also reflect a more cautious approach to hardware innovation, focusing instead on monetizing existing platforms.
This profit-driven model delivers financial stability, but it raises questions about Apple’s future position as a leader in innovation if the balance between immediate profits and long-term pioneering products continues to tip in favor of the former.
- Competitive Landscape and Market Dynamics: Rising Competition from Open Ecosystems
As Apple has focused on its “walled garden” approach, the competitive landscape has evolved, with rivals presenting compelling alternatives that emphasize openness, adaptability, and rapid innovation:
- Samsung and Hardware Innovation: Samsung’s advancements in foldable technology and dynamic AMOLED displays offer a fresh perspective on mobile hardware. Devices like the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip present novel form factors that capture consumer imagination—offering something genuinely different at a time when Apple’s offerings feel increasingly iterative.
- Google’s AI and Open Ecosystem: Google has focused on AI integration and open platform compatibility, as seen in products like Pixel phones and the development of Google Assistant. The company’s emphasis on seamless AI-driven experiences across devices gives users a level of flexibility that Apple’s tightly controlled ecosystem doesn’t always provide. Features like Call Screen and AI photo editing appeal directly to user convenience, contrasting with Apple’s more conservative, privacy-centric approach to AI.
- Microsoft and Cloud-Connected Devices: Microsoft has leveraged its position in both software and hardware with devices like the Surface Pro series, along with a growing emphasis on cloud services like Azure and Microsoft 365. This synergy has allowed Microsoft to appeal to both enterprise customers and creatives, positioning itself as a versatile solution for work and creativity—two domains that Apple once led but now finds itself challenged in.
While Apple’s closed ecosystem guarantees a level of quality and seamlessness, the growing focus on interoperability and cross-platform flexibility by competitors is resonating with a segment of users that value adaptability, particularly as more devices and services become part of daily life.
- Conclusion and Recommendations: Reclaiming Apple’s Innovation Edge
To reconnect with its image as a leader in groundbreaking innovation, Apple may need to consider several strategic shifts:
- Diversify Risk and Product Innovation: Reducing dependency on the iPhone as the primary revenue source could allow Apple to take bolder steps into new product categories. Next-generation technologies like augmented reality (AR) glasses or health and wellness innovations that focus on medical-grade capabilities could be avenues where Apple can make a significant impact, combining its hardware-software integration expertise with new fields.
- Revamp Professional Products with Flexibility: Revisiting the approach to professional hardware could help Apple regain trust and loyalty from power users. Introducing upgradability options and restoring some degree of hardware customization for products like the Mac Pro could reposition Apple as the go-to choice for developers, creatives, and enterprise clients who demand flexibility and power.
- Refocus Media Ventures on Unique User Value: Products like Vision Pro and Apple TV should focus on affordability, clear functionality, and unique use cases. To make mixed-reality mainstream, Apple must illustrate why the average person would want and need the Vision Pro in their daily lives, making the device indispensable rather than a luxury.
- Embrace Selective Open Integration: To attract users who seek greater adaptability, Apple could explore ways to selectively open its ecosystem—integrating better with third-party platforms without compromising security or user experience. This could mean enhancing cross-platform compatibility with services like Android or Windows while still maintaining the core elements of Apple’s quality control and privacy standards.
By implementing these strategies, Apple could reinvigorate its image as an innovator and remain competitive in a rapidly changing tech landscape. Recapturing the pioneering spirit that led to the iPod, iPhone, and MacBook would allow Apple to redefine markets, inspire users, and maintain its position at the forefront of technology—not merely as a luxury brand but as a true leader in shaping the future of tech. |
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| From: Don Green | 11/15/2024 4:13:10 PM | | | | | | 6 things people still get wrong about PC hardware
xda-developers.com
People often like to say that PC building is like putting Lego blocks together. While the statement rings true in essence, it highlights a tendency to oversimplify many aspects related to building PCs, reviewing components, and the impact of individual components on overall performance. Compounded over decades, this tendency leads to common misunderstandings about PC hardware, with many users believing in things that are half-truths or entirely false.
Some of these misunderstandings are rooted in laziness, and others in hubris, but they're still very much alive in 2024. Whether it's CPUs and GPUs, SSD speeds, CPU cooling, or thermal efficiency, it's far too common to believe something that has ample evidence against it. Here, I will dive a bit deeper into 6 things people still get wrong about PC hardware.
6 Calculating bottlenecksDid you check out the latest bottleneck calculator?I don't think this will ever get old. Many PC users still think you can simply go to a PC bottleneck calculator website, enter your PC's configuration, and instantly get a single numerical indication of the amount of bottleneck on your PC. While bottlenecks are all too real (as one or more components can hold back others from maximum performance), you can't just calculate them the way online bottleneck calculators claim they can.
Firstly, bottleneck calculators are always vague about their methodology and wildly inaccurate in their results. Secondly, they can sometimes recommend you buy a 12-core CPU to replace your 6-core chip, only to remove a "10% bottleneck." Finally, no one can put a random number on how much your CPU is bottlenecking your GPU, or the other way around.
The best thing to do when pairing your CPU and GPU is to look at performance benchmarks from reliable publications and choose components that go well together. For instance, a mid-range CPU is usually more than enough for a mid-range to high-end GPU.
5 Benchmarking CPUs and GPUsWhy only 1080p?
If you've ever seen a PC hardware reviewer benchmarking the latest CPU, you have probably noticed that they overwhelmingly test it at 1080p instead of 1440p or 4K. You can also find people in the comments demanding that the creator also share 1440p and 4K results, since "no one uses this crazy-fast CPU for 1080p." While you might feel justified in asking for the resolution you use, benchmarking doesn't work that way.
The single most crucial thing to ensure while benchmarking a component is preventing anything else from becoming the bottleneck. If you're testing, say, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D in a certain game, you wouldn't want the graphics card to "interfere" with the FPS numbers. You'd want the game to be as CPU-limited as possible, hence the reason behind testing it at 1080p, where games are mostly CPU-limited. Only at 1080p can the power of the CPU be fully showcased relative to other models.
Similarly, if you're testing a powerful GPU like the RTX 4080 Super, you'd prefer higher resolutions such as 1440p or even 4K, where the CPU dependency becomes minimal, and the GPU does most of the heavy lifting. Only then will you be able to properly compare the GPU to other competing SKUs.
4 Power consumption and efficiencyThey're not the same thing
Modern PC hardware has been steadily getting more power-hungry with every generation. While this is almost always accompanied by a rise in performance, the trade-off isn't always worth it. If a CPU or GPU draws, say, 50% more power than a competing model, and delivers only 10% better performance, it's not really power efficient, is it?
This is what many consumers fail to notice. When a new generation of CPUs claims lower power consumption than the previous one, we can't simply conclude that the new chips are more efficient. For all you know, the new CPUs might have dropped a lot more in performance. Only if the newer chips have a better performance-per-watt ratio than the older ones would they be more thermally efficient.
Similarly, if the latest and greatest graphics card consumes 20% more power than the previous flagship, it's premature to declare the older card more efficient. If the newer model delivers more than a 20% gain in performance (ideally much more), then it's clearly the more efficient option. Hence, power consumption is only half the picture; chip efficiency needs to include performance data.
3 Modern CPU coolingLiquid cooling or nothing?
A consequence of power-hungry CPUs is the rising popularity of AIO liquid coolers. It's not uncommon to see newer CPUs exceeding TDPs of around 250W, and that's not even the maximum power they can draw. The Core i9-14900K, with a 253W TDP, is known to draw upwards of 350W in especially intensive multi-core benchmarks. These numbers might not be indicative of real-world use, but CPUs like the 14900K still need a 360mm AIO cooler to prevent thermal throttling.
Mid-range CPUs consume much less power, but due to a combination of factors such as overcompensation, esthetics, or preference for the lowest temps possible, PC builders often blindly buy more cooling than they really need. I've been guilty of getting a 360mm liquid cooler for a 6-core Ryzen 7000 chip with a TDP of just 105W. Even if you're finicky about noise and thermals, a decent air cooler can handle most CPUs on the market.
Some of you might be shocked to know that there are budget air coolers for around $35 to $45 that give 240mm and even 360mm AIOs a run for their money. These cooing beasts can easily handle even the Core i9-14900K at stock settings. If budget air coolers are just fine for taming even 200+ watt loads, you don't need an AIO cooler. Of course, your style preferences might still push you toward them.
2 SSD speed and FPSThe faster the better?
Ever since we moved on from HDDs, the performance of SSDs has been rising steadily. From 500 MB/s SATA SSDs to 3,500 MB/s Gen3 and 7,000 MB/s Gen4 SSDs, we've now breached the 14,000 MB/s mark with the fastest Gen5 SSDs. However, your gaming performance doesn't scale the same way. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between an inexpensive $50 Gen3 SSD and a $200 Gen5 SSD.
The SSD is responsible for supplying game textures to your graphics card so that you won't wait around experiencing lags or stutters in the game. After a certain point, though, the speed of your SSD becomes immaterial, and any gains your fancy Gen5 SSD will bring would be in productivity applications and when transferring numerous large files.
This is why, even in 2024, Gen5 SSDs aren't worth it for gaming. Until DirectStorage is implemented in more games, there's no reason to buy a PCIe 5.0 SSD just for gaming.
1 Role of the CPU in gamingRTS and sims aren't the only CPU-heavy games
Your CPU matters for gaming, yes, but the extent to which a game is CPU-dependent or "CPU-heavy" varies from title to title. You might have heard that real-time strategy (RTS) and simulation games can bring even powerful CPUs to their knees, but they're not the only ones. Many modern single-player titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 can also be particularly CPU demanding, depending on the in-game settings.
The conventional wisdom that 6-core CPUs are more than enough for gaming is changing now. Games are now loading multiple cores and threads to a significant degree, and those buying 8-core chips will be able to make their system last longer without a CPU upgrade. Besides, if you're building a high-end gaming PC, you'll not want it to slow to a crawl during intensive multitasking. Many 6-core CPUs from the past 4 years are prone to this, so buying 8 cores will allow for faster overall performance too.
Another thing to consider is the impact of the L3 cache on gaming. AMD's Ryzen X3D processors are stacked with heaps of 3D V-Cache that allow the CPU high-speed data access from the cache, massively improving your gaming FPS. If you're serious about chasing high FPS, you might want to save some of your budget for an X3D CPU alongside your fancy GPU.
PC hardware myths are everlastingThe nature of PC hardware myths might change, but they'll always exist. Newer technologies in CPUs, GPUs, RAM, and storage will inevitably give rise to a myriad of conversations, comparisons, and ill-supported conclusions. These conclusions will then be proliferated endlessly by a group of consumers, both online and offline, and the cycle will continue with the next generation of products.
It's best to consume content from multiple sources, ideally from those outside your familiarity zone. You'll then be better equipped to separate fact from fiction, and educate your fellow consumers as well. |
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| To: Don Green who wrote (1885) | 11/15/2024 6:12:44 PM | | From: Don Green | | | | The Windows 11 2024 Update is now available — here's what's new and why it's not Windows 12
xda-developers.com
Windows 11 is one of the best iterations of Microsoft's operating system, and it keeps getting better through feature updates like version 22H2 in 2022 and version 23H2 in 2023. The latest of these updates is Windows 11 version 24H2, an update that was largely believed to be called Windows 12 prior to this year. In the end, the official name in Windows 11 2024 Update, and it's rolling out now to PCs around the world.
The focus of the Windows 11 2024 Update is AI, with the introduction of Copilot+ PCs with new features like Recall (though this is coming later), Cocreator in Paint, and new Windows Studio Effects. It's also a huge update for Arm devices, with a new wave of PCs powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X series chipsets launching with the update already installed.
When will the Windows 11 2024 Update be released?It depends on what device you have
There are two primary ways to get Windows 11 version 24H2. The first is to get a new Qualcomm Snapdragon X PC, such as the Surface Pro 11 or HP OmniBook X. These laptops, which are now available to buy, received Windows 11 version 24H2 on launch day (June 18th), meaning they have this update out of the box. Other Copilot+ PCs, with Intel's Core Ultra Series 2 (Lunar Lake) and AMD Ryzen AI processors, also launched with this updat einstalled out of the box.
For most people, however, you can install Windows 11 version 24H2 starting on October 1st, 2024, when the update began rolling out. It won't be available to everyone immediately, but you can get it faster by enabling the option to get the latest updates as soon as they're available (in the Windows Update section of the Settings app).
PCs that launched with WIndows 11 version 24H2 out of the box will also receive a major update enabling some additional features in version 24H2. The update wasn't fully completed in time for the launch of those devices, but it contained some fundamental changes to enable new AI-powered experiences, so it had to be released in an unconventional way.
Will the Windows 11 2024 Update be a free upgrade?Yes, but Copilot+ requires new hardware
Microsoft has been delivering free software updates for Windows for the past few years, and of course, that's not changing with Windows 11 version 24H2. You can expect this update to be available for free if you're already running Windows 11, and the system requirements shouldn't change.
However, most of the Copilot+ features require new hardware, specifically a dedicated NPU with over 40TOPS of AI performance. No PC launched before June 18th, 2024 has such an NPU, which means that to get these new features, you do need to spend money on a whole new device. You'll need a laptop with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X series chipsets, AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors, or Intel Core Ultra Series 2 (also known as Lunar Lake) CPUs. Features that don't require a more powerful NPU will be available to everyone, though.
Will I be forced to upgrade to Windows 11 version 24H2?Not for a while
Unlike the monthly cumulative updates that are mandatory, feature updates like Windows 11 version 24H2 are usually completely optional for users, as long as their current version of Windows is supported. Essentially, if you're already on the latest version of Windows 11, you won't have to upgrade to version 24H2 right away.
However, the way Windows 11 works is that each feature update is supported for two years (three, for Enterprise and Education editions). When you're nearing the end of the support period for your current version, you'll be forced to upgrade to a newer one. The original Windows 11 release is already supported for Home and Pro editions, and if you're running Windows 11 version 22H2, that version will reach the end of its life later this year. Microsoft has started upgrading these PCs to Windows 11 version 23H2, which means it will be a while before you're forced to get version 24H2. However, by late 2025, you'll probably start seeing those mandatory upgrades pop up if you're still running version 23H2.
What's new in the Windows 11 2024 Update?The Windows 11 2024 Update is already rolling out with a wide range of new features, with the biggest of them being AI related. However, it's possible that even more features will be rolled out over time exclusively to this version.
Copilot+ and all the AI features
AI has been a core focus of Windows for the past couple of years, but Windows 11 version 24H2 is truly taking it to the next level. So much so that Microsoft decided to introduce a new brand for the AI features in this update, Copilot+. This is an umbrella term for a wide range of AI features that can run locally on your PC thanks to the power of a neural processing unit, or NPU. These features require an NPU with at least 40TOPS of performance, with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X series being the first to achieve that, followed by the AMD Ryzen AI 300 series and Intel's Lunar Lake lineup later this year.
The highlight of these features is arguably Recall. Recall is sort of a successor to Timeline, a Windows 10 feature that allowed you to view a history of your activity and easily get back to what you were doing before. The problem with Timeline is that it was all manual, so you could end up scrolling for a long time and not finding what you want. Recall can find things you were working on by searching for them with natural language. So, if you were writing an essay about computers, you can say "show me that document about computers I worked on last week", and Windows 11 can find it for you.
Unfortunately, following a controversial announcement due to privacy concerns, Microsoft has pulled Recall from Copilot+ PCs for the time being, and even Windows Insiders don't get to try it just yet. The company has recently clarified that Recall will be available to insiders in October, so it's coming a good while later than the remaining Copilot+ features.
There are a lot more AI features in tow, though. Auto Super Resolution is a notable one, especially if you're into gaming. This is similar in nature to Nvidia's DLSS, but now it's built into Windows, so all of your games looks sharper without taking a significant hit to performance. In fact, they can run at a higher framerate because this takes some load off of the GPU. Other AI features part of Copilot+ include live captions with the ability to translate captions from any of 44 languages in real time into English, and the Cocreator feature, which generates mages based on a text prompt, can now run locally on your device using the NPU.
Microsoft is also expanding Windows Studio Effects, which has all-new capabilities thanks to the added power of new NPUs. Now, in addition to background blur, auto framing, and eye contact, Studio Effects can fix up lighting and add different kinds of filters in real time.
A lot more Copilot+ features are coming in the future. Recently, Microsoft began testing a new Super Resolution feature in the Photos app, so you can upscale your photos to look sharper. Other features include Click To Do, which will let you take actions on anything on your screen by just right-clicking it and showing a range of possible actions for what you're looking at. AI will also improve Windows Search and add more features like generative fill and erase in the Paint app.
AI is a big deal for the Windows 11 2024 Update, but most of these features do require a Copilot+ PC, such as those powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X series or the AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors.
The Copilot app
On the topic of AI, Microsoft is also doing away with the current implementation of Copilot as a sidebar on Windows 11. Now Copilot is an app that's pinned to the taskbar by default, and it opens in a normal window you can move around anywhere. This does give you more flexibility, though it comes at a cost.
Previously, Copilot was integrated into Windows 11, but now, this is just a web app. So things like starting a focus session, enabling dark mode, and other features that directly tied into Windows 11 are no longer available. What's more, the shortcut for opening Copilot (Windows + C) no longer works with this app.
However, the Copilot app has also been very heavily reworked to try and be a bit more useful and proactive. You'll see a few recommendations on the homepage with a few things you can try asking Copilot to do, and the design overall feels much more fleshed out. Plus, since it's an app, you can just delete it now if you don't want it.
The new Outlook
Another new(ish) app in Windows 11 version 24H2 is the new Outlook, which replaces the Mail and Calendar app from previous versions of Windows. In fact, the new Outlook is replacing the old app even if you don't get the latest version of Windows 11, so the old apps will be phased out either way. But if you upgrade to version 24H2, Mail and Calendar will be gone by default, and for good.
The new Outlook is essentially a web app, so it's very similar to just opening Outlook.com in your browser. However, it does support all kinds of email accounts and there are a few more capabilities that the Mail and Calendar app didn't support.
File Explorer improvements
The Windows 11 File Explorer isn't getting a major redesign this time, but it is getting some notable upgrades with this update. For starters, after version 23H2 added support for opening 7Z and TAR files (among other archive types), you'll now be able to create them. Microsoft has added a new dialog that lets you compress files into one of these archives, and you can even choose the compression method and settings you want to use if you need the extra degree of control.
Over on the Home page of File Explorer, Microsoft has also merged the Recent, Favorites, and Shared sections into a single section with tabs to switch between the three options. The Shared section is only available for some accounts, so not everyone will see it.
Additionally, Microsoft will now be labeling the row of buttons in the File Explorer context menu that were previously only icons, making it easier to quickly find the most common options you'd want to use. Another new option is the ability to duplicate tabs in File Explorer.
Sudo for Windows
If you're used to the Linux terminal, you may be overjoyed to learn that support for the sudo command is finally coming to Windows 11 with the 2024 Update. Sudo is a simple instructions that allows you to elevate permissions for a command, which is to say, run the command as an administrator. With this command, even if you open a Command prompt as a regular user, you can now run prompts that require administrator privileges within the same window. All you need to do is type sudo before the command you want to run as an administrator.
Windows 11 will include options for how sudo works, such as running the command in a new window or inline, so you can tailor the experience to your preferences.
New energy features
Microsoft is also doubling down on power-saving features with this update, introducing an Energy Saver mode that can reduce power consumption on both laptops and desktops that don't have batteries. This is an extension of battery saver, which, as the name suggests, was only available on laptops with batteries. With this change, you can reduce the power consumption of your PC at the expense of overall performance, potentially lowering your electricity bill and carbon emissions, which has been a big focus for Microsoft.
On the topic of power, this new update will also bring power settings related to the lid and power button directly into the Settings app, removing the need for the Control Panel page that houses these capabilities. Another big addition with this release is the ability to change the power mode on a laptop depending on whether you're plugged in or on battery. In the past, this setting was separate for each mode, but there was a single slider, meaning you'd have to plug in or unplug the charger to change the settings for both modes. Now, there are two menus available at all times.
Updates for the Start menu
Windows 11 version 24H2 also brings big news if you use a phone linked to your PC. Now, the Start menu will have a companion sidebar that shows information about your phone directly next to your apps, so you can access your text or dial a number without opening the Phone Link app. This also includes your most recent photos from your phone, making it that much easier to access them. Of course, depending on the phone you have, you may see even more information, since Samsung and Surface phones have some additional capabilities. You can even launch a screen mirroring session directly from here.
Otherwise, the Recommended area of the Start menu also now comes with some tweaks, so it can show you frequently used apps if you haven't pinned them to the menu. It also now groups recently installed apps into a single slot so they take up less space in this section.
New features for linked phones
On top of the new phone companion app in the Start menu, those with a phone linked to their Windows 11 PC have a few more benefits in tow. A notable one is the ability to share files directly to your phone from the Share menu using Phone Link.
There are a lot more features for linked phones, too. Another option is the ability to use your phone's camera as a wireless webcam for your PC, allowing you to get higher quality video for calls and meetings. You can also choose to see notifications for new photos from your phone so you can quickly edit them on your PC.
Microsoft is even working on a feature to let you see your phone's storage in File Explorer, making it that much easier to browse your files.
No more support for 32-bit Arm apps and better Arm optimizationWhile it's not a new feature, it's been confirmed that the next version of Windows will not support 32-bit Arm apps, following in the footsteps of other Arm-centric platforms like Android and iOS.
This release will also include notable improvements for Arm devices, which is a big reason why new devices with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite are launching in the summer. It's not completely clear what these improvements are, but improved performance and efficiency on these kinds of devices would certainly be welcome.
Quick Settings improvements
Windows 11 version 24H2 also comes with some improvements for the Quick Settings panel. Now, rather than stacking indefinitely, the quick actions you add show up in pages, so you can scroll between them and not make the Quick Settings panel bigger by adding more actions.
There are also improvements for the VPN quick action interface, and the Wi-Fi list shown in this panel now includes a refresh button.
Smaller updatesOn July 17, 2024, Microsoft announced a new kind of update for Windows 11 that will also make its debut with version 24H2. These updates are called checkpooint updates, and while they will generally behave much like existing cumulative updates, they will have the benefit of being smaller. Essentially, Microsoft is making certain cumulative updates act as checkpoints, after which new updates only include the changes made after that point. Before, updates would include all the changes made since the RTM release, which meant cumulative updates got significantly bigger over time.
With checkpoint updates, update sizes will be smaller and install times should be shorter, so it's a win all around.
What's more, Microsoft has also improved the update stack on Windows 11 version 24H2, and the company claims you can install updates up to 45% faster while using 25% less CPU resources. Windows Update is often a pain point for users, so these improvements ar emore than welcome.
Invert mouse scrolling directionA smaller but very welcome change in Windows 11 version 24H2 is that you can now invert the scrolling direction when using a traditional mouse. This option existed before for touchpads, but now, normal mice can do it too. That means you no longer need a third-party app for it.
Miscellaneous changesIn addition to some of the bigger changes above, Windows 11 version 24H2 also includes some smaller refinements and new capabilities. One of them is the ability to install drivers during setup, such as Wi-Fi, for users setting up a custom-built PC with a completely fresh install. Speaking of drivers, this update also includes a "Windows protected print mode", which removes support for printers that aren't Mopria certified. Mopria-certified printers don't need drivers to work, and they're the future of printing on Windows.
Additionally, this version of Windows will be the first to officially support USB4 version 2.0, or USB4 80Gbps. This new standard promises bi-directional bandwidth up to 80Gbps, or up to 120Gbps in a single direction, and it will be supported by laptops like the 2024 Razer Blade 18.
Smaller changes include the ability to diagnose issues with your internet by right-clicking the internet icon on your taskbar, which is now animated when connecting to a new network. Still on the taskbar, Microsoft has also brought back animations when hovering over an icon on the taskbar.
This update also leaves some old stuff behind, starting with the removal of support for Windows Mixed Reality, with existing headsets being rendered completely useless with this update. Similarly, WordPad is being removed and won't be available to download separately. Some apps, like Cortana, Mail & Calendar, People, and Maps, will also no longer be included by default.
How to get Windows 11 version 24H2Installing Windows 11 version 24H2 should be a fairly straightforward process, as has been the case for most Windows updates in the past decade. All you need to do is open the Settings app and click Check for updates. If you want to get the update sooner, you'll have to enable the toggle that says Get the latest updates as soon as they're available.
The update will download and install automatically after that, and you just have to restart your PC when prompted. It's always recommended to back up important data before an update, though in theory, nothing should happen to it during the process.
Alternatively, Microsoft's download page for Windows 11 now includes version 24H2, so you can use the Installation Assistant to force an upgrade if you're not seeing the update on your PC.
What happened to Windows 12?It's not coming anytime soon
You might have noticed that the features mentioned here were previously expected to come to Windows 12. In fact, at one point, Microsoft was planning to release Windows 12 in 2024, which would have been this update. However, in late 2023, Panos Panay, who was leading Windows and Surface development, left Microsoft due to a significant strategic shift for the company.
Without Panay, the new Windows direction now feels that a whole new version of Windows would be more of a problem than a benefit. The company is afraid of fragmentation the userbase, which was a major problem for the company prior to Windows 10. When that operating system came out in 2015, complete with a free upgrade program for Windows 7 and 8.1, it was meant to bring all Windows users under one roof, making it easier to support and maintain the operating system for all active users. Windows 10 lived far longer than other Windows versions, and it was supposed to be the last version of Windows. But under Panay's leadership, Microsoft then released Windows 11 in 2021 in an attempt to revitalize the computing market and capitalize on the work-from-home boom.
Reportedly, the plan was to go back to a three-year release cycle, so Windows 12 would have been released in 2024. Presumably, this was to help make these releases feel more significant in the eyes of consumers and hardware partners, and in fact, we even saw many such partners over the last year talk about a big Windows release in 2024.
However, releasing Windows 12 now means that the company would be supporting Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows 12 simultaneously for the next year (until Windows 10 support is dropped), and the new leadership at Microsoft reportedly feels that it would be preferable to support only a single operating system if possible. This means support agents can rest assured users all have the same feature set, making it easier to find and provide support for users, while also ensuring everyone is always using the latest features available. Feature updates for Windows 11 are installed automatically after a while, so Microsoft never has to worry that some users will be using an ancient version of the OS.
Windows 11 version 24H2 is the new Windows 12With all that being said, Windows 11 version 24H2 is essentially still Windows 12. This is the update we would have gotten regardless of what it's called, so the changes aren't that significant. If anything, maybe Windows 12 would have changed the system requirements, which is less likely to happen now. Microsoft may just restrict certain features to devices with specific hardware, but that's nothing new.
As we get closer to the release date of Windows 11 version 24H2, details of what it will include should become clearer. For now, this is what we're expecting, but since it's still in active development, it's likely there will be a lot more added over time. |
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| From: Don Green | 12/16/2024 4:12:32 PM | | | | | | Ex-Google CEO warns there's a time to consider "unplugging" AI systems
 Former CEO & Chairman of Google Eric Schmidt speaks during a book talk for Fareed Zakaria's new book, "Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present" at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs on April 3. Photo: Shahar Azran/Getty Images
figcaption>span]:font-sans" style="margin-block: 0px; margin-inline: 0px;">Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt warned that when a computer system reaches a point where it can self-improve, "we seriously need to think about unplugging it."
Why it matters: The multi-faceted artificial intelligence race is far from the finish line — but in just a few short years, the boundaries of the field have been pushed exponentially, sparking both awe and concern.
- Regulations are in a state of flux, with discussions on Capitol Hill sputtering as this chapter of Congress nears its close.
- But companies are still charging ahead.
- "I've never seen innovation at this scale," Schmidt said on ABC's "This Week." While he celebrated "remarkable human achievement," he warned of the unforeseen dangers of rampant development.
Driving the news: "We're soon going to be able to have computers running on their own, deciding what they want to do," he said.
- When the system begins to "self-improve," he said, it may be time to consider pulling the plug. Asked if a powerful system could counter efforts to shut it down, Schmidt told ABC's George Stephanopoulos, "In theory, we better have somebody with the hand on the plug."
- He continued, "the power of this intelligence ... means that each and every person is going to have the equivalent of a polymath in their pocket."
- "We just don't know what it means to give that kind of power to every individual," Schmidt added.
Threat level: A chorus of industry experts have warned of the risks of rushing the development of generative AI.
- Schmidt told Axios last year that computers making their own decisions may be only two to four years away, according to some experts.
- There's a consensus among fans and foes of generative AI that the most powerful models could operate with the intelligence of a Ph.D. student as soon as next year, Axios' Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei report.
- Within a year or two, Schmidt told ABC, systems may be able to do their own research.
Zoom out: He said that he used to think U.S. technology was a few years ahead of China — but in the last six months, Beijing has caught up "in a way that is remarkable."
- But it is "crucial that America wins this race, globally, and in particular, ahead of China."
If he were given complete control over the world's handling of AI, Schmidt pointed to two steps he'd take:
- "The most important thing I'd do is make sure that the West wins," he said, emphasizing the need for funding, hardware and manpower.
- Secondly, he said he'd identify the "worst possible cases" and build a second system to monitor the first.
- "Humans will not be able to police AI," Schmidt said. "But AI systems should be able to police AI."
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| From: S. maltophilia | 12/24/2024 1:55:22 PM | | | | | | How Hallucinatory A.I. Helps Science Dream Up Big Breakthroughs
Artificial intelligence often gets criticized because it makes up information that appears to be factual, known as hallucinations. The plausible fakes have roiled not only chatbot sessions but lawsuits and medical records. For a time last year, a patently false claim from a new Google chatbot helped drive down the company’s market value by an estimated $100 billion.
In the universe of science, however, innovators are finding that A.I......
nytimes.com |
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| From: Don Green | 12/24/2024 7:35:02 PM | | | | | | HOW TO DIY OFF-GRID SOLAR
SPEND THE TIME UP FRONT AND PLAN IT CAREFULLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
BY BRADLEY FORD Popular Mechanics Jan 2025
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TREVOR RAAB
THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE TERM “OFF-GRID” conjured images of doomsday preppers or Ted Kaczynski. Today, off-grid is going mainstream, with numerous manufacturers offering equipment to provide the comfort and connectedness we’re accustomed to. Solar in particular has become more accessible, with robust system components available to DIYers.
Some reasons to choose off-grid energy include spiraling utility costs and the increased frequency in grid disruptions by natural disasters. But with remote work becoming more common, many people are choosing to build, and live, in areas where it can be costly to connect to the grid—if it is even available. This is where I found myself when my wife and I bought property to build a seasonal cabin. The location isn’t too remote, with utility poles about 1,500 feet away through the woods. But it would cost roughly $10,000 to clear trees, set poles, and run overhead lines, so we considered other options. With some basic calculations, it seemed we could install a solar system ourselves for a little less money, with no future utility bills.
As I started researching and planning, I inevitably had questions about the equipment we would need. While there are many companies offering some or all of the components, in many cases they seemed nearly identical from brand to brand. In fact, much of the equipment is manufactured overseas, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if at least some of it is made in the same factory. This became more apparent as I reached out to various companies with questions. Some never responded; some replied overnight, their responses peppered with translation issues. One brand, EG4 Electronics, had an address and phone number in Texas and real people that answered the phone.
Through the course of my conversations with EG4, they connected me with design and tech-support specialists who advised me that the details in the planning stage were critical to building a system that would meet my expectations and needs. So, I followed their planning advice—for the most part—and ended up with a system that will suit our needs, with room for expansion.
EG4’s willingness to answer questions, ease of contact, and informative online resources led me to purchase their inverter, batteries, battery enclosure, and super-efficient mini-split heat pump. Following is the process they recommended for planning and designing our system.
 Energy for the cabin is stored in four EG4 LL-S 48-volt 100AH lithium iron phosphate batteries. The batteries’ charge and discharge levels, as well as balancing between them, are managed by the inverter via communication cables.
1 PLANNING: ENERGY AUDITIf you go online to solar DIY forums or groups, you’ll see that many folks who are looking for advice start by asking a question along the lines of “What do I need to get started? I just want to run a refrigerator and an air conditioner, and charge my phone.” And then they get responses with suggestions of what they’ll need. This is a hopelessly simplified way to start your planning and will likely leave you with more questions than answers. In short, it’s not how to get started, for numerous reasons. Your physical location has everything to do with how much sun you have available—folks in Maine will have systems spec’d differently than those in Texas. Additionally, appliances of the same type can vary greatly in their energy consumption. And, once you have outlets available, people are going to start plugging more and more things into them. For these reasons, you really need to start with an energy usage audit and a solar site survey.
To perform an energy usage audit, you’ll need a spreadsheet listing everything that uses electricity in your off-grid cabin, home, or structure—down to the number of lightbulbs and their wattage. You can find spreadsheets set up for this purpose online, or you can create your own. You’ll need column headings for:
? Appliances/devices/fixtures
? Voltage (AC), 120 or 240
? Amperage
? Watts, rated or measured
? Surge, or starting watts (if applicable)
? Hours used per day
? Energy consumption, in kWh
? Energy consumption, in kWh per day
? Percent of total kWh
Start by listing the devices, including model numbers so you can look up voltage, amperage, watts, etc. Energy Star–rated products list annual energy consumption figures, which you can use to calculate daily usage. When possible, measure how much energy a device uses. Do this with a power or watt meter, plugged into an outlet which you then plug your device into. Record the kWh for each and multiply by the hours used. Refrigerators and heating/cooling equipment cycle on and off, so it’s important to record usage for a full day. Use this information to determine your total kWh per day per device, your total kWh per day, and the percentage of that total for each device.
Knowing the percentage of total energy each device uses is important—it will help identify your biggest energy users and can help guide appliance usage and selection. As a general rule, take your total daily usage and increase that number by 20 percent. The increase will help to allow for future growth—as well as losses that come from the system components, as they will not be 100 percent efficient. Your daily usage number—just under 10kWh, in our case—times the number of days you want to be able to run off your stored energy (batteries) will dictate the size of your battery bank. You have to assume there will be days with minimal sun due to storms or snow blocking your panels. We’ll mostly use our cabin on the week-ends, so we need two days’ worth of storage.
9.679kWh/day x 2 days = 19,358kWh Using 48-volt, 100Ah batteries, you can calculate:
(100Ah x 48V) / 1,000 = 4.8kWh per battery 19.358kWh / 4.8 kWh per battery = 4.03 batteries
These calculations show our system will need four 48V, 100Ah batteries to get through two days.
The next thing to determine from the energy audit is the size or capacity of the inverter you will need. This is not as simple, but it will fall somewhere between 60 and 80 percent for the total of your continuous loads. Smaller installations like our cabin won’t have too many big loads—things like HVAC systems, electric dryers, ranges, or other heating appliances—so, figuring closer to 80 percent should work. For larger installations, with more loads in general, particularly things like heating/cooling or kitchen appliances, you’ll figure closer to 60 percent of the total. There are online tools to help with this, but be sure that the inverter capacity you choose will handle the largest loads you will likely run simultaneously, with room for typical smaller loads like lighting circuits, chargers, or entertainment systems.
The biggest loads in our cabin will be the mini-split and a microwave, which add up to less than 3kW, so we’re installing a 6kW split-phase inverter. This will give us the ability to run both 120V and 240V devices, with room to add things like a well pump at a later date.
2 SOLAR SITE SURVEYWith your storage requirements and inverter selection sorted, you’ll need to figure out how much solar energy, or irradiance, is available to you. Your distance from the equator, the season, your local topography, as well as surrounding buildings, trees, and vegetation all play a role in the potential energy you can collect. The folks at EG4 recommended using a Solar Pathfinder tool and Assistant PV Software to conduct an accurate solar survey that takes into account all the various shading factors at your array site. This will help determine the size (number of panels) you’ll need, as well as the orientation of your system. You can find online tools, like the PVWatts calculator (https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/), to help figure this out, but you’ll have to estimate the shading you may have at your specific location.
We followed the directions provided with the Solar Pathfinder, leveling it and then orienting it to true north, adjusted for magnetic declination. (Note: A compass will show magnetic north, which can differ by several degrees from true north.) We placed the appropriate sun-path diagram for our latitude in the base of the Pathfinder—this diagram shows the arc of the sun for each month, with intersecting lines indicating each solar hour of the day. Over the top of the diagram, we placed a transparent dome that reflects anything, down to the horizon, shading the diagram. With the tool all set up, we took photos from directly above the dome, being sure we got one that clearly showed the shading features at our site.
When we loaded this image into the Assistant PV Software, tracing the shaded areas, entering our inverter specs, and entering the solar panel specs, we were able to see how much energy we would be able to collect each day, for each month of the year, for the panel we planned on using. We planned to roof-mount our panels on a shed that was not yet built. Based on lower projected winter power generation, we chose a fixed panel angle that was optimized for better performance during those months. We used this angle to dictate the slope of the shed roof.
 The last step in installing the EG4 6000XP splitphase inverter is replacing the cover(s)—on it, on the wire trough, and on the main service panel.
3 SOLAR ARRAY SIZINGThe number of panels you’ll need for your array is dictated by many factors, the first of which is your chosen inverter’s maximum input capacity. The next factor is the output of the panels you plan to use. Note that temperatures can affect panel output—on colder days, they perform better, putting out more voltage. And bifacial panels that can collect energy from light reflected on the back of the panels can add as much as 25 percent to the rated watts. Due to the number of variables that impact a panel’s potential output, using a string calculator is the ideal way to determine your array size. By the time this publishes, EG4 should have a new version of its online calculator available.
To use a string calculator, simply enter all the specs for the inverter and panels you’re using, as well as any other data it requires. The calculator will provide the number of panels you’ll need. Sometimes it will give you a range, like 8 to 10 panels, with the potential output range.
4 INSTALLATIONThis might actually be the fastest and easiest part of the project. With all the specs and components sorted out, you just need to connect the pieces. First, check with your municipality or authority with jurisdiction to see what version of the National Electric Code (NEC) they are using. Then look up the relevant sections for solar installations to see what requirements you need to meet.
You’ll likely be required to create a system wiring diagram or schematic, as we did. Show and label every connection, conduit, wire size and type, and all system components. Refer to both the electrical code and the installation manual for the components you’re using, and record the wire sizes and types needed to connect the components. The electrical code will require that certain wire/cable for parts of the installation be specific colors, so be sure to take that into account when estimating lengths and purchasing. For example, ground wires to connect components to your structure’s main service panel will need to be green. If your system provides 240 volts to the panel, line 1 (L1) and line 2 (L2) will be black and red, respectively, and the common wire will be white.
If you need to run conduit, be sure to size it appropriately for the gauge and number of wires running through it. You can look up conduit fill charts for reference, but if you have long conduit runs, you can bump up to the next conduit size to make it easier to pull the wires through.
Note that the version of the NEC will dictate how solar panels can be shut down to isolate them from the system. In our case we simply needed DC isolator switches at the array and the inverter. Newer versions require a rapid-shutdown device. The
Pay particular attention to the grounding requirements in the NEC. The solar panel frames and mounting rails need to be bonded (connected so that they maintain electrical continuity), and the whole mounting system then needs to be grounded to earth—i.e., with an 8-foot copper rod driven into the earth. In our case, that rod also had to be connected all the way back to our main service panel.
The many individual wires that connect system components will need to be protected anytime they run from one component to another. This means they’ll need to be in conduit, in junction boxes, or in wire troughs or raceways. Again, be sure to check your code requirements. We used a large wire trough to collect and route all our wiring. Incoming wires from the array, cables from the batteries, and connections between the inverter and main service panel are all routed through this trough—this was a neater and more efficient solution compared to a maze of conduit.
We also chose to install a Midnite Solar lightning and surge protector. Devices like this are designed to absorb voltage spikes that come in through the wires that run from the solar array to the inverter. Since the panels are roof-mounted with metal frames, lightning strikes are a risk. Compared to the cost of the system, the device is cheap insurance.
If you’ve done all the planning and research, and drawn up the diagram, this part should go smoothly—just follow the code requirements.
 The main service panel in the cabin, with breakers for each circuit, is a standard 100-amp residential model. The only difference in being fully offgrid is that an inverter supplies the power instead of a grid doing so.
A final word of caution: You may encounter folks online who proclaim that certain elements of the code are unnecessary, or over the top, and suggest simpler or easier ways of installing certain parts of the system. They may suggest that alternative methods accomplish the same objectives from an electrical theory standpoint. If you need to pass an electrical inspection and you expect your insurance company to honor any future claims that include components of your system—or are a result of your system—just follow the code.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VOLTS, AMPS, WATTS, AMP HOURS, AND KILOWATT HOURSThe terms used to describe the capacity, size, and power of the various components in a solar system can be confusing. Here is what you need to know—in layman’s terms.
VOLTS ? VThe strength, or pressure, pushing an electrical current.
AMPS (AMPERES) ? AThe amount, or volume, of electrons flowing in an electrical current.
AMP HOUR ? AhA measure of current flow, over time, commonly used to describe battery capacity.
WATTS ? WA measurement of power. A x V = W
KILOWATTS ? kW1,000 watts. So, 1kW = 1,000W
KILOWATT HOUR ? kWhThe number of kilowatts used over one hour.
Note that battery capacities are typically described in volts and amp hours, while power consumption is described in kWh. So when determining battery storage requirements, you need to convert battery capacity to kWh. (Ah x V)/1,000 = kWh. So a battery bank with four 48V, 100Ah batteries would store 19.2kWh of power. (400Ah x 48V)/1,000= 19.2kWh.
BATTERY VOLTAGE AND CHEMISTRYIf you start digging into energy storage for your system, you’ll find that your main battery choices are 12, 24, and 48 volts. And, in those voltages, there are different chemistry choices: lead-acid, AGM, lithium, and lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO4).
12-volt batteries, typically lead-acid, exist as an option mainly due to their use in RVs. AGM batteries are a more advanced, sealed, maintenance-free version of lead-acid batteries. Either can be used in small, off-grid applications, but there are some limitations. They have a lower number of discharge cycles and thus shorter life spans. They can be damaged by discharging below 50 percent. And they aren’t suited to high loads and rapid discharge rates. So, these would be an option if you’re using 12-volt RV appliances.
24-volt batteries perform better at higher discharge rates than 12-volt. Plus, they are more commonly available in modern chemistry options that can last thousands of discharge cycles. Lithium-based chemistries are your main options, with LiFePO4 being the most stable and preferred option. The 24-volt batteries can be wired in series to be used in 48-volt systems.
48-volt batteries, available with LiFePO4 chemistry, are the most robust and stable option. They can withstand repeated heavy loads and discharge rates, and may be rated to last as many as 10,000 cycles. For this reason, these are a preferred basis for larger energy-storage solutions powering entire homes or structures with typical appliances and heating/cooling systems.
SOLAR SYSTEM COMPONENTSThere are four main components in an off-grid solar system: solar panels, batteries to store the energy, a charge controller, and an inverter to convert direct current (DC) from the batteries and/or panels to alternating current (AC) that you can use to power your devices. The capacity of each of those components will depend entirely on the power you need to supply to all of your devices/appliances—and for how long. Larger systems often combine the charge controller and inverter in one device—these types often have inputs for generators, or even grid power, to charge the batteries when there hasn’t been enough sunlight. ends, so we need two days’ worth of storage.
PARALLEL OR SERIES CONNECTIONSThere are two options for how both batteries and solar panels can be wired—in parallel and in series. In parallel, the positive terminals are all connected, and the negative terminals are all connected. In this configuration, the total voltage remains the same, but the amperage increases. In series, the batteries or panels are daisy-chained together, with the negative of one connecting to the positive of the next. In this configuration, the amperage remains the same, but the voltage increases.
For batteries, the way you wire them depends on the system voltage that the inverter is designed for. In many cases, systems designed to fully power a home will be 48-volt-based. So you’ll have either multiple 48-volt batteries connected in parallel, or smaller batteries wired in series, to yield 48 volts.
For solar panels, the one you choose depends on two things: the maximum PV (photovoltaic, or solar) input for your inverter, and the solar array location and shading. In theory, if you have some part of the array shaded for significant portions of the day, then parallel will be better because the shading affects only the output of the shaded panels. Shaded panels connected in series, on the other hand, can bring down the whole array’s output. ¦ |
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