My Computerworld colleague Steven Vaughan-Nichols said last month that Windows 11 would be the end of the old Windows desktop and argued that Windows 11 was an unnecessary upgrade. While I agree that Windows 11 leaves me wondering exactly why I need to upgrade, I'm not sure that spells the end of desktops. (It could play a role in the interest in tablets, though; more on that below.)
In fact, we may already see Windows 10 as the last of the old-school desktop operating systems.
Like just about every other business, big and small, I'm struggling with the high cost of upgrading to Windows 11. (I'm not talking about the software; it's the hardware mandate of the TPM chip and processor that's going to be my biggest hurdle for the upgrade, as I have to buy new hardware if I want most of my office to be upgraded). Even at home, I only have one machine, Microsoft's recent Surface Pro 7, that can handle the update. My other computers (another laptop and a homemade desktop) can't make the jump, nor do I want to use workarounds to bypass the security requirements.
Given that software vendors are always slow to release updates for Windows 11—for example, Sage Accounting software doesn't seem to officially support Windows 11—it's no surprise that at the end of six months, there's still not much of a push to migrate. to 11.
Side note: When using Windows 11, the newly centered menu is not a major issue. I left it in the center on purpose to see how it affects my routines, from taskbar changes to the menu system. I've found that after years of clicking on the left side of the screen to launch a menu option or shut down the computer, it will clearly take a while for my brain to retrain if I plan to keep it that way. For those for whom this is a major issue, there are a number of third-party tools and solutions to relocate this menu and make Windows 11 a bit friendlier for long-time Windows users:
- Start11 – If you already have Start8 or Start10, you can upgrade to Start11.
- Github tool to make taskbar match Windows 10 behavior.
- Patch Explorer, another way to make Windows 11 taskbar work more like Windows 10.
- OpenShell for Windows 11, which brings you the Classic menu.
On the Askwoody.com forums, I'm starting to see more and more people asking which laptop they should buy to replace their trusty old hardware. Often when they have an older desktop PC that works great with Windows 7, 8, or 10, they want a laptop on the go. But after being asked about specific needs, their responses point to some kind of tablet, not a laptop, as a perfect device for researching and reading news and responding to emails while on mobile. There are really only two platforms: iPads or various Android tablets. As a previous owner of multiple Surface devices (and current owner of a Surface Pro 7), I can say that these are wonderful portable drives for IT admins. They allow me to work effectively remotely and connect to other workstations, servers, cloud platforms, etc. But if I'm waiting at the doctor's office, I'm more likely to browse with my iPhone than a laptop.
When the pandemic hit two years ago and we had to make sure people could work from home, I quickly discovered that some people in the office didn't have computers or laptops; they were using a tablet to browse the internet and check their emails. I recently lent a Chromebook to a friend who still uses a flip phone. (He needed a device for Zoom meetings with his doctor.) He discovered that he didn't need a Windows laptop at all; the Chromebook provided him with a compatible browser and a webcam and that's all he needed.
So if you need a portable device and in the past you went to the store and bought a laptop, reconsider your needs. Ask yourself: what do I really want to do with this device? Do I want something easy to put in my bag or take with me? Do I want to be able to entertain myself in waiting rooms and doctor's offices? I plan to travel more now and don't want to have to remember so many power cables and converters? If you've ever traveled and realized you forgot your laptop charging cable, you'll quickly discover that each manufacturer uses unique power supplies that make it nearly impossible to find a matching cable at the laptop gift shop. , hotel, or nearby tech store. However, traveling with a tablet makes it much easier to find a suitable USB cable.
Ultimately, if the tech "thing" you love needs to be replaced, stop and think about your tech "need." Replacing it with a newer version of what you have now might not be what you need in the future.
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