My ComputerWorld colleague Steven von-Nichols commented last month that Windows 11 would end on the old-school Windows desktop, arguing that Windows 11 was a pointless upgrade. While I agree that Windows 11 makes me wonder exactly why I should upgrade to it, I’m not sure it marks the end of the desktop. (It may play a role in increasing interest in tablets, however – more on that below.)
In fact, we may have already met Windows 10 As the end of the old-school desktop operating system.
Along with almost every business, big or small, I’m struggling with the high cost of upgrading to Windows 11. (I’m not talking about software; it’s a hardware mandate for the TPM chip and processor which is going to be my biggest blocker to upgrade since I must buy new hardware if I want to upgrade most of my office.) Even at home, I only have one There are machines – Microsoft’s latest Surface Pro 7 – that can handle upgrades. My other computers – another laptop and a home-built desktop – can’t jump, or I don’t want to use the workplace to get closer to security requirements.
Given that software vendors are still dragging their feet to offer updates for Windows 11 – in which case, the Sage accounting software doesn’t seem to officially support Windows 11 – it’s no surprise that the six-month mark is still not a big hit at 11. Transfer.
Side note: When I use Windows 11, the new centralized menu is not a big problem. I purposely put it at the center to see how it affects my routines in the menu system, from changing the taskbar. I found that after a few years of clicking on the left side of the screen to start a menu option or to turn off the computer, it would take some time for my brain to re-train if I planned to keep it that way. There are a number of third party tools and solutions for those who have a major problem, to remove that menu and make Windows 11 a little more friendly for long-term Windows users:
- Start11 – If you already own Start8 or Start10, you can upgrade to Start11.
- Github tool to make the taskbar match Windows 10 behavior.
- Explorer Patcher is another way to make the Windows 11 taskbar work more like Windows 10.
- OpenShell for Windows 11, which gives you the classic menu.
In the Askwoody.com forum, I’m starting to ask more and more people which laptop to buy to replace their trusty, old hardware. Often, when they have an old desktop that works just fine with Windows 7, 8 or 10, they want a laptop on the go. But when asked about their specific needs, their answers point to some kind of tablet, not a laptop as a perfect device for searching and reading news and answering emails while on mobile. There are really only two platforms: iPads or different Android tablets. As a past owner of several Surface devices (and a current owner of a Surface Pro 7), I can say that they are an excellent portable unit for IT admins; They allow me to work efficiently and effectively remotely and log in to other workstations, servers, cloud platforms, etc. But if I wait in the doctor’s office, I’m more suited to surf on my iPhone than to bring a laptop.
When the epidemic hit two years ago and we had to make sure people could work from home, I quickly noticed that some people in the office didn’t have computers or laptops – they used a tablet to surf the Internet and check emails. Recently, I lent a Chromebook to a friend who still uses a flip phone (She needed a device to have a zoom meeting with her doctor.) She noticed that she didn’t need a Windows laptop at all; Chromebook has provided him with a supported browser and a webcam and that’s all he needs.
So if you need a portable device and in the past you would go to the store and buy a laptop, reconsider your needs. Ask yourself: What do I really want to do with this device? Do I just want to have something in my purse or carry it with me? Do I want to be able to entertain myself while in the waiting room and doctor’s office? Am I planning to travel further now and don’t want to miss so many power cords and converters? If you ever travel and realize that you forgot your laptop’s charging cable, you’ll quickly see that each manufacturer uses annoyingly unique power supplies that make it almost impossible to find a matching cable in a hotel gift shop or nearby technology store. Traveling with a tablet, however, makes it easier to find a USB cable that will fit
Bottom line, if technology loves to replace the “things” you need most, stop and think instead of “needing” your technology. Replacing it with a newer version of what you have now may not be what you need.
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