There's also a separate blog post about Windows 10X, which is a new version of Windows specifically intended for dual-screen, rotatable PCs: Introducing Windows 10X: enabling dual-screen PCs in 2020
I actually find these dual screens very exciting. It solves a real-world problem. You want to store a small thing in your pocket, but you want to use a big thing when relaxing on the couch, or...
I actually find these dual screens very exciting. It solves a real-world problem. You want to store a small thing in your pocket, but you want to use a big thing when relaxing on the couch, or reading in bed. This previously required two devices.
I've probably made this comment before, but I'm looking forward to a few gens down the line after the wrinkles have been worked out and the devices become more generally affordable. I think that's the right time to jump in.
Microsoft uses this as a selling point a lot: Surface Pro is a laptop and a tablet, and now Surface Duo is a phone and a tablet. But any device which is "2-in-1" is inevitably going to be worse...
This previously required two devices.
Microsoft uses this as a selling point a lot: Surface Pro is a laptop and a tablet, and now Surface Duo is a phone and a tablet. But any device which is "2-in-1" is inevitably going to be worse than two devices that are optimized for one form factor, so this has never appealed to me. I guess the appeal is price, but given that an iPad is just $330 these days, you can get a laptop with specs matching the Surface and an iPad for the same price as the Surface.
I'm willing to bet it will be the same situation with the Surface Duo: let's say it costs $1,000—so, half the price of Galaxy Fold—and you could still spend $600 on a phone and $400 on a tablet and have a better phone and tablet.
I guess my point is, I see "but I don't want two devices" a lot, but I can't figure out why "two devices" is inherently bad.
I'd say it's two things. First, in the cases that you need the functionality of both devices, you now have to carry both with you. A Kindle will be the best device for reading, but if you need...
I'd say it's two things.
First, in the cases that you need the functionality of both devices, you now have to carry both with you. A Kindle will be the best device for reading, but if you need both a Kindle and a phone then suddenly the compromises of the all-in-one don't look so bad.
Secondly, there's just more friction. There's a hand off period.
We don't have a futuristic "flick in the direction of the dumb terminal" feature of future sci-fi yet, so it still takes time to move over what we're working on. This is part of the reason that options like the Chromecast are so successful, because they make it easy to context switch.
If we were writing an email on our PC and switch to a laptop, you'll be relying on a service like Gmail drafts for that. If watching a local video, you have to find and compare timestamps. Other problems like gaming requires even more complex setups (eg. I sync my Stardew Valley save to mobile using symbolic links and Dropbox).
So there's definitely downsides to having individual, dedicated devices as well. Even if they do excel at their particular tasks.
Iirc AMD’s processors are being used for these computers. Considering the announcement of Intel’s X series chips competition is likely to increase, but I feel like AMD has the lead so far,...
Iirc AMD’s processors are being used for these computers. Considering the announcement of Intel’s X series chips competition is likely to increase, but I feel like AMD has the lead so far, especially for budget options.
There are actually a number of different processors used in the products revealed: Device CPU Surface Laptop 15" AMD Ryzen Surface Edition (R5 3580U / R7 3780U) Surface Laptop 13.5" Intel...
There are actually a number of different processors used in the products revealed:
I am so excited about this. Almost ten years now I've talked about how Microsoft had the coolest concept ever with the Courier and they just wasted it. And then I log on and out of nowhere, there...
I am so excited about this. Almost ten years now I've talked about how Microsoft had the coolest concept ever with the Courier and they just wasted it. And then I log on and out of nowhere, there it is. That's the Courier. They actually made the thing! I am absolutely getting one of these and putting a Windows CE theme on it.
Since most people's "needs" (an office program + a browser) can be done by 2008 laptops just fine, I think we're always talking quality, here. A laptop is a device you potentially use daily, for...
I fully understand there are better and cheaper laptops on the market for my simple needs.
Since most people's "needs" (an office program + a browser) can be done by 2008 laptops just fine, I think we're always talking quality, here. A laptop is a device you potentially use daily, for hours. So you kinda want a nice screen, you kinda want it to be a slim form factor and you definitely want a nice touch pad and a good battery. And if you do a checklist for these kinds of things, suddenly "cheap" options fade away.
I was super pissed with Apple, a while ago (don't even remember what it was – the butterfly keyboard, USB-C-only or maybe it was just the fucking price) and looked for MacBook Pro alternatives. There are alternatives but as soon as you look for high res screens, high end hardware, non-dorky build (even though as hardware quality goes up, "gamer" aesthetic rises) and all that snappy stuff you're used to from Apple products, you're staring at 1500€+ prices again.
I decided to stick with my MBP from 2012 because it literally does everything I want, at all the speed I need. Which is kinda amazing. If you did this comparing, say, a 2002 high end laptop with a 2009 high end laptop, the difference would have been night and day, not even a question. High end laptops are getting insanely expensive again but I gotta say, they stick with you for a long time.
There's also a separate blog post about Windows 10X, which is a new version of Windows specifically intended for dual-screen, rotatable PCs: Introducing Windows 10X: enabling dual-screen PCs in 2020
I actually find these dual screens very exciting. It solves a real-world problem. You want to store a small thing in your pocket, but you want to use a big thing when relaxing on the couch, or reading in bed. This previously required two devices.
I've probably made this comment before, but I'm looking forward to a few gens down the line after the wrinkles have been worked out and the devices become more generally affordable. I think that's the right time to jump in.
Microsoft uses this as a selling point a lot: Surface Pro is a laptop and a tablet, and now Surface Duo is a phone and a tablet. But any device which is "2-in-1" is inevitably going to be worse than two devices that are optimized for one form factor, so this has never appealed to me. I guess the appeal is price, but given that an iPad is just $330 these days, you can get a laptop with specs matching the Surface and an iPad for the same price as the Surface.
I'm willing to bet it will be the same situation with the Surface Duo: let's say it costs $1,000—so, half the price of Galaxy Fold—and you could still spend $600 on a phone and $400 on a tablet and have a better phone and tablet.
I guess my point is, I see "but I don't want two devices" a lot, but I can't figure out why "two devices" is inherently bad.
I'd say it's two things.
First, in the cases that you need the functionality of both devices, you now have to carry both with you. A Kindle will be the best device for reading, but if you need both a Kindle and a phone then suddenly the compromises of the all-in-one don't look so bad.
Secondly, there's just more friction. There's a hand off period.
We don't have a futuristic "flick in the direction of the dumb terminal" feature of future sci-fi yet, so it still takes time to move over what we're working on. This is part of the reason that options like the Chromecast are so successful, because they make it easy to context switch.
If we were writing an email on our PC and switch to a laptop, you'll be relying on a service like Gmail drafts for that. If watching a local video, you have to find and compare timestamps. Other problems like gaming requires even more complex setups (eg. I sync my Stardew Valley save to mobile using symbolic links and Dropbox).
So there's definitely downsides to having individual, dedicated devices as well. Even if they do excel at their particular tasks.
Microsoft is releasing an Android Dual Screen Handset. This is weird...
Iirc AMD’s processors are being used for these computers. Considering the announcement of Intel’s X series chips competition is likely to increase, but I feel like AMD has the lead so far, especially for budget options.
There are actually a number of different processors used in the products revealed:
I am so excited about this. Almost ten years now I've talked about how Microsoft had the coolest concept ever with the Courier and they just wasted it. And then I log on and out of nowhere, there it is. That's the Courier. They actually made the thing! I am absolutely getting one of these and putting a Windows CE theme on it.
Since most people's "needs" (an office program + a browser) can be done by 2008 laptops just fine, I think we're always talking quality, here. A laptop is a device you potentially use daily, for hours. So you kinda want a nice screen, you kinda want it to be a slim form factor and you definitely want a nice touch pad and a good battery. And if you do a checklist for these kinds of things, suddenly "cheap" options fade away.
I was super pissed with Apple, a while ago (don't even remember what it was – the butterfly keyboard, USB-C-only or maybe it was just the fucking price) and looked for MacBook Pro alternatives. There are alternatives but as soon as you look for high res screens, high end hardware, non-dorky build (even though as hardware quality goes up, "gamer" aesthetic rises) and all that snappy stuff you're used to from Apple products, you're staring at 1500€+ prices again.
I decided to stick with my MBP from 2012 because it literally does everything I want, at all the speed I need. Which is kinda amazing. If you did this comparing, say, a 2002 high end laptop with a 2009 high end laptop, the difference would have been night and day, not even a question. High end laptops are getting insanely expensive again but I gotta say, they stick with you for a long time.