Changes in how we use our PCs

[epk]

So I was wondering about this today and it got me thinking about what changed in normal computer use, especially after Windows 8 came along and the backlash it got.

 

I'm putting this on the Windows area but if any mods think it'd fit better somewhere else you're free to move it. I guess it applies to any PC and OS but since most people use Windows I'll talk more about that.

 

First thing I actually thought about was the desktop. Seeing threads here and on other forums always makes me wanna tweak the desktop or at least change my wallpaper to something cool, but after thinking about it for a few seconds I realise I don't even know what my wallpaper is! Seriously, I never look at my desktop anymore. Documents, downloaded files, pictures, etc. all have their own folders. If I wanna write some stuff down I would never make a .txt like in the old days, that's what OneNote is for! Or Evernote, Apple Notes or whatever you use. I never close my browser and it's always maximised, and when I'm not looking at it is cos I have some other program on top of it. Does anyone else have this happen to them?

 

Second thing is, while I use OS X now, when I was using Windows 7 I barely used the start menu anymore. Most used programs I had pinned to the task bar along with Windows explorer. If I had to open the start menu I wouldn't really use it anyway, just search for whatever I needed and open it straight away. Maybe that's why I didn't care so much that 8 did away with it. But is it really so few people who use their computer like that? Seems so, given how many complained about it.

 

I guess I hadn't realised how our habits change but I feel we use our computers completely different than we did 10 years ago, even if sometimes we think traditional computers are the old ways against tablets and smartphones.

 

I'm curious to see what you guys think about this

[sc302 Veteran]

With wireless taking over and portable handheld devices getting affordable, the desktop will no longer be the norm in homes. Most used desktops to access the internet which can be done with a tablet or phone, nothing beats a keyboard when typing things out but you can get one for a tablet.

What ever the case, if companies are going to continue to produce for the home users they should be investing in tablets and tablet technologies and how to get the most used productivity applications now to work on those tablets.

I go for my surface or ipad before my desktop, unless I need a large screen to do anything with (remote in for administration purposes as an example, don't like doing this on ipad or surface because the screen is too small)

[+BudMan MVC]

I am quite the opposite, I much rather seat at my desktop than tablet or laptop.  While I use those all the time to check something quick while watching tv, in the kitchen, etc.  But I normally go to my desktop - I have to admit its because of the screens, keyboard and mouse.. I have two monitors and would love space to have 3 but don't have the room in current config..  Its just hard to multitask on a tablet, and while maybe the younger gen can type and input data.. It is just so slow to me - I can do 70 to 90 words a minute on a keyboard easy without even thinking.. I can prob mange like 5 or 10 on my tablet if that much

[Nagisan]

I am quite the opposite, I much rather seat at my desktop than tablet or laptop.  While I use those all the time to check something quick while watching tv, in the kitchen, etc.  But I normally go to my desktop - I have to admit its because of the screens, keyboard and mouse.. I have two monitors and would love space to have 3 but don't have the room in current config..  Its just hard to multitask on a tablet, and while maybe the younger gen can type and input data.. It is just so slow to me - I can do 70 to 90 words a minute on a keyboard easy without even thinking.. I can prob mange like 5 or 10 on my tablet if that much

Completely agree, I'm pretty young still but I much prefer my desktop than I would a tablet or my phone. I have two monitors and for productivity sake its tons more efficient than a tablet could ever be. This likely has a bit to do with being a software developer too, that is a job that relies too heavily on typing and benefits pretty well from large screens (comparing code, seeing more code at once, etc) that a tablet or phone just cannot replace that functionality.

 

My phone is good if I'm out and about, but for both my personal and professional usage of electronics, something as small and inefficient (typing-wise) as a tablet or phone just don't cut it.

[+Warwagon MVC]

I would stay say I use my computer exactly the same way I have for the last 14 years. Everything is in a nice sub folder structure, I open my web browser when I need it. I really don't do much differently.

 

I don't feel any differently about about laptops and tablets. When I want to get real work done I use a computer that has an actual monitor (or 2) and actual keyboard and mouse.

[Melfster]

I think tablets have kind stalled out.  They are used but in peripheral kind of way.  I don't know anyone who uses Tablet exclusively.    I myself use laptop, desktop and a phone.  I never use Tablet.  Most people around use combination of computer and a phone.  There are some that use tablet but only every once in awhile.  Little kids actually more than adults that come in contact with.

[sc302 Veteran]

Programming and administration are not what typical users at home would be doing.  I was more referring to what typical users would use a desktop for.  Moms and dads, the average person if you will.  I have a desktop in each room (that is a different issue).  The average person, not the gaming person, not the admin, not the programmer, is not going to be using the desktop for much.  The college kid or high school kid, maybe but that depends on what their personal likes are (I can't imagine typing a paper on a small screen like the surface, but people used to do it with word processors...example http://salestores.com/brotherdp530.html?gclid=CIz89v28j8MCFaHm7AodnF0ALw#.VLRG9nsXGu4 )

 

Also when I refer to surface, I refer to my surface pro.  I have a laptop as well but I seldom pull that out for anything...and considered selling it/giving it away to family - acer A7.

[Melfster]

Programming and administration are not what typical users at home would be doing.  I was more referring to what typical users would use a desktop for.  Moms and dads, the average person if you will.  I have a desktop in each room (that is a different issue).  The average person, not the gaming person, not the admin, not the programmer, is not going to be using the desktop for much.  The college kid or high school kid, maybe but that depends on what their personal likes are (I can't imagine typing a paper on a small screen like the surface, but people used to do it with word processors...example http://salestores.com/brotherdp530.html?gclid=CIz89v28j8MCFaHm7AodnF0ALw#.VLRG9nsXGu4 )

 

Also when I refer to surface, I refer to my surface pro.  I have a laptop as well but I seldom pull that out for anything...and considered selling it/giving it away to family - acer A7.

 

I actually think your wrong .... I have noticed people who are too addicted facebook and little kids love tablets and there is nothing wrong with that.  Other people are fine with laptop.  I have surface pro but prefer a laptop. In fact thinking returning a surface pro.  I have found it little bit awkward for my liking.  I am not saying its bad it just not for me or other family members.  Bottom line if you think PC is going away I think your mistaken.  I think people like their computer and do most of their work on it and this will continue for awhile.

[+BudMan MVC]

"The average person, not the gaming person, not the admin, not the programmer"

 

This is a good distinction to make - what is the average joe sixpack user?  I will take my wife as typical non tech user, she has her laptop I got her - but she really only reads her email, surfs some news, shopping checks facebook and plays a couple games on it. For her, with her phone and the tablet she could use 100% and would have no need of desktop in the home.

 

To be honest I find her using her phone, just recently (last six months) got her off her flip phone The most - and the ipad.  We could prob take the laptop out of the picture and she would be fine.  Other than the ipad not doing flash, and her playing some flash based games she prob has no use for the laptop any more.

 

One the other hand - If I was stuck using my phone and tablet I would go nuts!!!

[Melfster]

I think average person doesn't even need tablet a Phone is fine most people.

[Dot Matrix]

So I was wondering about this today and it got me thinking about what changed in normal computer use, especially after Windows 8 came along and the backlash it got.

 

I'm putting this on the Windows area but if any mods think it'd fit better somewhere else you're free to move it. I guess it applies to any PC and OS but since most people use Windows I'll talk more about that.

 

First thing I actually thought about was the desktop. Seeing threads here and on other forums always makes me wanna tweak the desktop or at least change my wallpaper to something cool, but after thinking about it for a few seconds I realise I don't even know what my wallpaper is! Seriously, I never look at my desktop anymore. Documents, downloaded files, pictures, etc. all have their own folders. If I wanna write some stuff down I would never make a .txt like in the old days, that's what OneNote is for! Or Evernote, Apple Notes or whatever you use. I never close my browser and it's always maximised, and when I'm not looking at it is cos I have some other program on top of it. Does anyone else have this happen to them?

 

I'm moving away from the desktop. My Surface RT is quietly taking over duties that my desktop once had. I keep contemplating if I want to build a new machine, and I never do get around to seriously pricing out components. I'm excited for what Windows 10 is doing, and I'm more than certain my next purchase will be a Windows 10 Surface.

 

Second thing is, while I use OS X now, when I was using Windows 7 I barely used the start menu anymore. Most used programs I had pinned to the task bar along with Windows explorer. If I had to open the start menu I wouldn't really use it anyway, just search for whatever I needed and open it straight away. Maybe that's why I didn't care so much that 8 did away with it. But is it really so few people who use their computer like that? Seems so, given how many complained about it.

I guess I hadn't realised how our habits change but I feel we use our computers completely different than we did 10 years ago, even if sometimes we think traditional computers are the old ways against tablets and smartphones.

I'm curious to see what you guys think about this

It's been forever since I've clicked into the Start Menu on my Windows 7 at work. It's just not needed, and when I do, I type what I'm looking for, and go.

I think tablets have kind stalled out.  They are used but in peripheral kind of way.  I don't know anyone who uses Tablet exclusively.

My aunt, and two cousins do.

[Jim K Global Moderator]

I haven't really changed how I use the computer(s).  Most used programs are on the quick launch and I live on the desktop.  Easiness of sizing multiple windows to how I want them allow me to flow through workload efficiently.  I have started to use my phone more, for quick web browsing/facebook/YouTube that I really have no need for a tablet.  For day to day usage, my notebook works just fine.  When I need to do real work (or gaming or encoding) ... I fire the desktop up.

[The Evil Overlord]

I have various tablets and phones to do some online browsing, but find myself defaulting back to my pc everytime, partly due to keyboard and mouse, and partly due to the complicated passwords I use

[whs37]

I have not really changed my habits with 8.1. The most frequent programs are in the taskbar, the less frequent on the start page and for the rest I either search or look on the Apps page which I really like and think it is a big progress over the old start menu All Programs.

 

I still like my desktop pictures and roll several folders which I change from time to time. I think people are making too much fuzz about 8.1. It is not so much different except for the new settings pages. But I still use the Control Panel which is also pinned to the taskbar.

[tsupersonic]

I am quite the opposite, I much rather seat at my desktop than tablet or laptop.  While I use those all the time to check something quick while watching tv, in the kitchen, etc.  But I normally go to my desktop - I have to admit its because of the screens, keyboard and mouse.. I have two monitors and would love space to have 3 but don't have the room in current config..  Its just hard to multitask on a tablet, and while maybe the younger gen can type and input data.. It is just so slow to me - I can do 70 to 90 words a minute on a keyboard easy without even thinking.. I can prob mange like 5 or 10 on my tablet if that much

I have a desktop, Surface Pro 2, MBPr, and an iPad. Of all the devices, I like using my desktop the most. However, I'm beginning to use my mobile devices more and more these days. If I need to get any sort of work done (productivity), I need a full on computer with a keyboard (MBPr in my case). The desktop provides the best experience, with the MBPr coming in second. The Surface Pro 2's type keyboard is flatout pathetic, and touch inputs of any sort are useless and slow (iPad + Surface Pro 2). I don't know how people type on touch screens - it is so uncomfortable! I can manage 100-110 wpm on my desktop keyboard and the MBPr, and there's no fatigue when I have to type for hours. I can only manage 30 wpm on the iPad, but only for 5 minutes.The Surface Pro 2 also has subpar battery, compared to the MBPr, hence making it suitable only on the couch/bed.

 

I also have different uses for each device. Ranked in order of most used to least used. 

Desktop = Gaming + General Internet + Videos

MBPr = Mobile computer of choice for everywhere.

iPad = Bed reader + internet surfer

Surface Pro 2 = Couch surfer

[epk]

I have to agree with you guys on the Tablets. They seem to be stuck as "leisure" devices. I have only seen them used professionally in sales, which of course doesn't say much.

I think their problem is exactly what has been mentioned a few times: small screens and clunky keyboards. One way they could work better for productivity is if they somehow docked to a desktop/workstation and you could use them as input devices only. If someday voice dictation manages not to stink we could finally say goodbye to the old ways But now I'm daydreaming

[+John Teacake MVC]

I am quite the opposite, I much rather seat at my desktop than tablet or laptop.  While I use those all the time to check something quick while watching tv, in the kitchen, etc.  But I normally go to my desktop - I have to admit its because of the screens, keyboard and mouse.. I have two monitors and would love space to have 3 but don't have the room in current config..  Its just hard to multitask on a tablet, and while maybe the younger gen can type and input data.. It is just so slow to me - I can do 70 to 90 words a minute on a keyboard easy without even thinking.. I can prob mange like 5 or 10 on my tablet if that much

 

QFT

[neufuse Veteran]

eh nothings going to change for a while.... tablets (mostly thanks to apple) still feel like a toy because the software is limited (not as many features in most programs as a desktop version), the usability is limited, and the screen area is limited in size

[Dot Matrix]

I have to agree with you guys on the Tablets. They seem to be stuck as "leisure" devices. I have only seen them used professionally in sales, which of course doesn't say much.

I think their problem is exactly what has been mentioned a few times: small screens and clunky keyboards. One way they could work better for productivity is if they somehow docked to a desktop/workstation and you could use them as input devices only. If someday voice dictation manages not to stink we could finally say goodbye to the old ways But now I'm daydreaming

I have a feeling that will be a huge selling point for the next Surface Pro.

[sc302 Veteran]

The execs at my company are all requesting surface pro3's vs laptops or ultrabooks. While limited, apparently they can run office, erp, QuickBooks, Crm, and they use it for note taking in one note. [sarcasm]It really isn't going to take off because it can't run anything and very limited to casual browsing[/sarcasm]

[Ralph3100]

I think the tablet run is over and they are beginning to fit into their actual place of consumption devices. They are a fun toy and work well for surfing the youtubes, but anyone who has tried to really do any work/research/productivity type activities has realized that you need a real keyboard at the bare minimum. 

 

Article on recovering PC market to show the trend (and that is to say nothing of Apple laptops and desktops selling)

 

http://winsupersite.com/hardware/yes-pc-market-recovered-2014

[PGHammer]

I think the tablet run is over and they are beginning to fit into their actual place of consumption devices. They are a fun toy and work well for surfing the youtubes, but anyone who has tried to really do any work/research/productivity type activities has realized that you need a real keyboard at the bare minimum. 

 

Article on recovering PC market to show the trend (and that is to say nothing of Apple laptops and desktops selling)

 

http://winsupersite.com/hardware/yes-pc-market-recovered-2014

However, desktop SOFTWARE (the actual applications being run on a daily basis) have indeed largely stalled - largely due to what is actually used in them by typical users.  Office users, what are your most used applications in Office, and what got added that you actually use?  (The two features I use that got added - IMAP in Outlook and PDF/ODF support in Word - didn't require either hardware or OS upgrades; how many folks thought the same?)

 

As much as some folks are complaining that Windows 8 was too different (in short, it chased upgraders away), I don't buy that.  With hardware sales turning up, and Windows 8.1 (little different from 8) on those same computers, I think the real reason has to do with the same reason that computer sales dropped prior to 8's launch - the poor economy.  (In case we forgot, the drop in sales was right after the big push that began with 7's launch - and right after businesses filled their upgrade quotas, sales promptly tanked.  8 was not out - 7 was; so why did sales tank?  Also, what change has there actually been with the hardware requirements for the current flavor of Windows?  For the last three versions, requirements went nowhere - that meant, whether you upgraded your OS or not, you didn't have to buy new hardware.  During a bad economy, new hardware purchases is one thing that gets put off - if hardware DOES get bought, it's further down both the price AND capability scale (hence all those tablets).  As long as the economy continues to improve, the stall will not return.

[binaryzero]

Pretty much anyone who's been using a desktop for longer than 15+ years will continue to use their desktop exactly the same way they always have.

[PGHammer]

Pretty much anyone who's been using a desktop for longer than 15+ years will continue to use their desktop exactly the same way they always have.

Which I didn't dispute.  Still, I always keep my mind open on OS upgrades, as sometimes there have been improvements in the upgraded OS itself that benefit me, even if NO applications get changed.

 

During  poor economic conditions, folks cut back - which nobody disputes.  And when the hardware base for an operating system doesn't change (and it hasn't since even back to Vista for the most part). that makes the job of "flogging" an upgrade to the masses harder, not easier.  Even the KNOWN issues merely with security in Windows 7 haven't been enough to get folks to even consider upgrades - instead, we have heard excuse after excuse for NOT upgrading.  Complacency is a bad thing, if not the WORST thing, that IT users can do - the examples are legion; yet "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" is repeated like a religious mantra - which has me wondering if it IS one.

 

All the attempts to pigeonhole ModernUI are based entirely on aesthetics and ONE change in the OS itself - the addition of support for touch-screens.  It isn't as if touch-screen hardware wasn't around during Windows 7 - it was, and not just early tablets and slates; HP's TouchSmart series (which are mostly desktops and AIOs) started with Windows 7.  How many folks have discovered that their hardware DOES actually support touch, merely by changing the operating system?  If you have hardware (of any sort) that has a feature that is supported by Windows 8 (or later) that 7 didn't, which OS, in your opinion, is crippled?

 

Installing the Windows 10 Technical Preview on a legacy notebook had me bouncing hard off the high ceiling in my bedroom - and touch support was NOT why; instead, it's support for one of the oldest and most common features in laptops and notebooks - trackpads.  Trackpads are THE common feature in laptops and notebooks - even Ultrabooks haven't forced them onto the bench; however, what is the one nearly-universal complaint about trackpads, and especially in Windows?  Poor dexterity, and especially compared to mice.  It's not that trackpads are all that new - so why have trackpads, and the myriads of ways they connect - largely been ignored? (Just from looking at trackpad drivers for Synaptics alone, there are no less than four major variations on Synaptics trackpad drivers;  I chose Synaptics because they are THE largest OEM trackpad supplier - in addition to the company supplying the trackpad my own notebook uses.)  Further, what has been the biggest (as in most-repeated) suggestion from IT support (at any level) to a flaky trackpad? "Buy an external mouse (preferably wireless)."  That same suggestion makes lots of money for manufacturers of wireless mice (specifically, Microsoft and Logitech - the two major players there).  I have NOTHING against either company in the hardware field - and especially NOT mice - I have used either Microsoft OR Logitech mice whenever I have used one.  However, the very reality that a feature that has been common for over a decade merely in portables is just NOW getting native support would - quite understandably - have me a bit ticked off - especially when the company that is responsible for the feature working properly (either Microsoft OR Synaptics) is making money on the feature being broke.  But to find that mice DIRECTLY benefit from trackpad support being broken?  Why wouldn't I - or shouldn't I - start to wonder if there is a conspiracy - especially since Microsoft itself is a major beneficiary? (I'm not saying there is - however, if not, why is the question unfair?)

 

The biggest reason why I'm horked off is that trackpads are a standard feature with portables - mice are an option - that usually you pay extra for.  In addition, you have to also unpack that mouse (and find a place to rest it); neither is true with the built-in trackpad.  How much contortion is needed when using a mouse on the move? (Vehicle seating - from automobiles to aircraft - is NOT conducive to mousing around. It's only marginally better in low-end hotels or motels; the only reason it's better in higher-end hotels is due to the demands of business travelers - THEIR travails are the stuff of travel nightmares.)  I've had to support business travelers that have laptops and later notebooks - that means I get an earful of their woes.  One thing that price competition has brought is that travel is now more and more affordable to the average person - if you pack a portable (laptop or notebook); that means you will discover those very woes yourself.  The big reason why touch has become more common in those same portable formfactors is the aforementioned lack of space - or place - for mice; and trackpad support in 8+ - and earlier - is still largely broken.  That means that if you don't want touch, and your trackpad has issues, welcome to Contortion City if you need to compute on the move.  (That same reality is also a driver for tablets/phablets and slates - all too often, there isn't space for even an Ultrabook, and especially not one with a traditional connected keyboard.)

 

Are we still mostly clueless - or are we plain and simply in denial?

[+InsaneNutter MVC]

I am quite the opposite, I much rather seat at my desktop than tablet or laptop.  While I use those all the time to check something quick while watching tv, in the kitchen, etc.  But I normally go to my desktop - I have to admit its because of the screens, keyboard and mouse.. I have two monitors and would love space to have 3 but don't have the room in current config..  Its just hard to multitask on a tablet, and while maybe the younger gen can type and input data.. It is just so slow to me - I can do 70 to 90 words a minute on a keyboard easy without even thinking.. I can prob mange like 5 or 10 on my tablet if that much

 

Pretty much the same here, I would sooner sit at my PC rather than on the sofa with a tablet or laptop. Can't beat having a nice large screen and a mouse / keyboard. I can type pretty fast on a touch screen phone, but it soon becomes tiresome for much more than a text message or quick email reply.