Touch Screen Laptops and Windows 8

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 7:12am

I am using my mom's new laptop while visiting and I feel like an elderly person being confronted with new-fangled technology! I have a regular laptop at home with Windows 7. I am really close to yelling at someone to get off my lawn. Has anyone switched to one of these? How long did it take you to get used to it? It just feels incredibly foreign. I am thinking of buying a new computer while I am here, but I am scared that I will never learn this system. I am so used to a start screen and the traditional organization of folders. All of these apps and menus seem kind of counter-productive. Shouldn't it begetting simpler?

Full disclosure: I am sleep deprived, jet-lagged and missing my family. Maybe my brain is just not functioning.

Updated On: 2/17/14 at 07:12 AM

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 7:44am

Jersey, don't worry its a awful set up. But in saying that you do get used to it. I think most of it is not needed, the apps are a waste, nothing is where it used to be. only reason I have used it, needed to get my mum a new computer. She is slowly getting used to it.

If you needed a new one yourself, go apple

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 8:11am

That would be optimal, but the price difference there is a big deal. I think if I have my own, I can figure out the hacks to get it to where I need it. I like using the touch pad for navigation, as it's what I am used to, and for the life of me, I can't figure out how to turn it on. lol The touch screen annoys because of the fingerprints.

[trentsketch]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 8:12am

Honestly, just wait a little while longer for a new computer. A new update is confirmed from Microsoft that will allow you to default to the traditional desktop and folders set up.

Windows 8 was basically designed for tablets and touchscreen devices, but if you don't know what any of the software is that comes with the system, you're screwed. It takes far longer than it should to actually pin the programs you need in the tiles screen. Even then, all of your programs will be listed after the default programs. Organizing your programs means deleting tiles until you have the ones you want where you want them, then adding tiles again and deleting/adding until it's right.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 8:33am

Trent, will this be available by update? The only reason is this is a time-sensitive purchase. If I buy it while visiting the US, I can just take it back with me, no questions asked. If I were to order it and ship it, it would cost me at least 25% more in taxes and import fees. If I were to try to buy it at home, it would cost twice as much. Since I still have to file US taxes for the rest of my life, I figure I can take advantage of a few perks while visiting.

[LaurenB]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 8:38am

Microsoft has announced they will release Windows 9 in 2015. I'm in a similar boat, I need a new laptop and not sure whether to get one with Windows 7 or Windows 8. An Apple is out of the question, as most of my software is Windows-based. My old laptop is an XP, so I don't think I can wait until 2015. :-/

[Addison D.]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 9:26am

My computer Dude--he travels to my house on a skateboard, but charges more per hour than I do--advised me to order both devices with Windows 8, but configured them both with Windows 7 environments--start button, folders, etc.

Neither device is touch-screen enabled, so I can't comment on whether this solution is applicable--or desirable--for such devices, but it does mean that I have no compatibility issues with programs that require Windows 8 and that both devices can do their 3 AM automatic updates without leaving me a blizzard of warning messages that I am falling behind the rest of the universe (unlike the fine folks at Apple, who take every opportunity to tell me that my failure to update my iPhone iOS makes me a social deviant, responsible for the downfall of Western Civilization).

Best of all, I get to live a few more years in my retrograde comfort zone.

[LaurenB]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 9:31am

Addison - That sounds like good advice.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 10:35am

You aren't the only one having problems. My mom got a new computer with Windows 8, and she hates it. I feel terrible too because I have been able to help her with certain things in the past on older editions, but some of it is foreign to me on that. I am hoping my computer holds out for me t see what Windows 9 is like or to find out if they are just going to keep continuing to make disasters similar to 8.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 10:41am

Actually, in the short time since I have posted this, it's getting more comfortable. I set up a new user and on this account, the touch pad works. She must have altered something in the main account.

I think I am going to take the plunge.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 11:01am

Apple. Apple. Apple. If you can find a way, I urge you to come on over to our side.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 11:17am

Nope. I have a kid and stay home with her. Spending that much on a laptop when it's not a work necessity just isn't happening. lol

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 11:39am

I use the desktop icon on the bottom right of the home screen, and use that - it is close to windows 8. I either put or there is folder shortcut on the task bar, and the experience is closer to windows 7 - I never bothered to put a the start bar hack in, but I know others who have. Putting the PC/folder icon in the task bar has let me search easier, and am getting used to going to the top or bottom right corner to shut it down.

It was annoying, but I am getting used to it. What a mistake to combine a traditional PC with a tablet operating system.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 2/18/14 at 6:05pm

makes me a social deviant, responsible for the downfall of Western Civilization).

Well I mean YES but not cos u don't update yer iphone!

Seriously, I went thru this issue last year when I knew my old squirrel powered laptop was probably getting to the end of it's natural life & didn't want to wait till it died.
I 've adjusted to the screens- just turned the touch part off & use my mousey. But i did have to clear out a bunch of the pre loaded programs that I will never use. and I am SO not tech savvy- i'm sure you'll be fine. Just b careful w your file transfers.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/18/14 at 7:08pm

Note, I also use a mouse, and not the touch screen component.

[trentsketch]

Posted: 2/18/14 at 9:21pm

The update was rumored to be coming soon, but all the articles I saw have been updated saying the desktop feature probably won't be included anytime soon. They started working on it too late to patch it in with the rest of the big updates.

[javero]

Posted: 2/19/14 at 8:51am

Love the Metro interface on my Nokia smartphone; hate it one of my Win 8 laptops which is not touch-enabled.

I've spent the past 15 yrs or so developing Windows desktop apps and lemme tell ya, most major enterprises have been slow to upgrade their existing stock of Win 7 desktops and laptops to Win 8. Could you imagine the training burden associated with an upgrade for several thousand employees?

I've been loyal to Microsoft but imho Win 8 is FUBAR. Companies have tons of exiting line of business apps that have to be tweaked to latch onto those fuggin' tiles that make up the Metro interface. Switching from the Metro interface to the classic one to launch legacy apps is still too cumbersome even after the Win 8.1 upgrade.

What works well on touch-enabled smart phones & tablets does NOT necessarily meet muster for use on a desktop or laptop with only a keyboard & mouse for I/O.

What was Microsoft thinking? I seriously hope the company releases two separate versions next go round...one with the classic interface for legacy devices and another for rigs with the latest and greatest gear. If not, consumers have a ton of open source alternatives to pick from.

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Posted: 2/19/14 at 11:38am

To boot directly to the desktop (not the metro interface) in Windows 8.1 so that it behaves more like Windows 7:

1. Right click on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. Choose "Properties".

2. Click on the "Navigation" tab.

3. Under "Start Screen", click (to enable) the checkbox "When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start".

There are many other ways to personalize Windows 8.x to your liking. Feel free to ask.