Windows 11 Beats Linux on Intel’s Latest Laptop
▼ Summary
– The author’s long-standing benchmark tests have consistently shown Linux, particularly Ubuntu, outperforming Windows 11 across various hardware and demanding creative workloads.
– In a surprising reversal, the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 8 with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor showed Windows 11 outperforming Ubuntu Linux in tests where Linux typically dominates.
– The investigation with Lenovo and Intel concluded the hardware was functioning as expected, and follow-up tests with different Linux kernels and settings could not close the performance gap.
– This result is notable because it includes proprietary rendering software using static binaries, eliminating potential compiler advantages for Linux.
– It remains unclear whether this Windows 11 performance advantage is specific to this laptop model or the beginning of a new trend with newer hardware.
For years, the conventional wisdom in performance testing has held that Linux consistently outperforms Microsoft Windows, particularly on demanding creative and rendering workloads. This advantage has been observed across a wide range of hardware, from AMD and Intel processors to various system configurations. The efficiency of the Linux scheduler, especially with modern multi-core CPUs, has typically given it a decisive edge. However, a recent and surprising benchmark test on a high-end laptop has flipped this script, showing Windows 11 achieving a measurable lead over Ubuntu Linux in areas where Linux has long been the undisputed champion.
This unexpected result emerged during testing of the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 8, a mobile workstation equipped with Intel’s latest Core Ultra 7 255H “Arrow Lake H” processor. The unit featured 64GB of fast LPDDR5 memory and NVIDIA RTX Pro 1000 graphics. When running comparative benchmarks between the pre-installed Windows 11 and a fresh Ubuntu 24.04 LTS installation, the outcomes defied long-standing trends. Windows 11 was faster in several workloads, including CPU-based 3D rendering in Blender and even proprietary renderers like V-RAY, where static binaries are used to ensure a fair, compiler-agnostic comparison.
The findings were so unusual that they prompted collaboration with Lenovo’s engineering teams, including their BIOS and thermal/power experts, as well as Intel liaisons. Initial suspicions pointed toward potential power management quirks or thermal configuration issues in Linux. Extensive follow-up testing was conducted, adjusting power settings and even trying newer development kernels like Linux 6.18 Git to rule out any software bugs. Despite these efforts, Windows 11 maintained its performance advantage, leading to the conclusion that the hardware was operating as intended and the results were valid for this specific platform.
The Core Ultra 7 255H processor at the heart of this laptop is a hybrid design with 16 total cores, combining performance, efficiency, and low-power efficiency cores. Its power ratings range from a 28-watt base to a 115-watt maximum. This complex architecture may interact differently with the Windows 11 and Linux schedulers, potentially explaining the shift in performance dynamics. While this is a single data point from one specific laptop model, it raises intriguing questions about the evolving performance landscape.
It remains unclear whether this result is an isolated incident tied to the unique hardware and firmware of the ThinkPad P1 Gen 8, or if it signals the beginning of a broader trend where Windows 11 closes the performance gap with Linux on new-generation hardware. Without access to a wider array of the latest laptops for testing, it’s impossible to draw a definitive conclusion. The next opportunity for a similar comparative analysis may not come until the release of Intel’s Panther Lake processors in 2026, which will provide fresh insight into how this competitive balance is evolving. For now, this case serves as a notable exception to a long-established rule in system performance.
(Source: Phoronix)
