Windows 11 Tablet Mode: Is it Better Than Windows 10?
Windows 11 has been a hot topic ever since its release, and one of the key features that has been heavily discussed is the new Tablet Mode. As someone who loves tinkering with technology and has recently purchased a Surface Pro 7, I’ve been eager to put this new Tablet Mode to the test and see how it stacks up against the trusty Windows 10 experience.
The Tablet Mode Dilemma
When I first unboxed my Surface Pro 7, I was thrilled to dive into the world of Windows 11. As a long-time Windows user, I was curious to see how the new operating system would improve my tablet experience. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize that the Tablet Mode wasn’t exactly living up to my expectations.
One of the primary complaints I had was the absence of a readily accessible back button. Coming from the intuitive Android and iOS interfaces, I found myself constantly reaching for a non-existent button to navigate back. This small, yet crucial, detail made the overall tablet experience feel a bit clunky and less streamlined than I had hoped.
Another issue I encountered was the lack of a grid view for open browser tabs in Chrome. As a redditor pointed out, this feature is something I’ve grown accustomed to on my mobile devices, and its absence on the Surface Pro 7 made managing multiple tabs a bit of a hassle.
Adapting to the New Normal
Despite these initial frustrations, I was determined to make the most of my Surface Pro 7 and the Windows 11 Tablet Mode. After all, I had invested a good amount of money into this device, and I wasn’t about to let a few hiccups ruin my experience.
One of the first things I did was to disable the “Optimize Taskbar for Tablet Use” setting. As mentioned by a fellow Redditor, I found the standard taskbar to be much more useful than the hidden tablet taskbar, especially when using the device in portrait orientation.
Another adjustment I made was to tweak the date and time display on the taskbar. While I didn’t necessarily need to see the full date, I wanted to keep the day and month visible. After some tinkering, I was able to strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics, making the taskbar more compact without completely removing the date.
The Tablet Mode Redemption
As I continued to use my Surface Pro 7 in Tablet Mode, I started to discover some hidden gems that made the experience much more enjoyable. For instance, I found that the touchpad emulation was a game-changer. Instead of relying on an awkward on-screen touchpad, I could simply use the entire touchscreen as a trackpad, making navigation a breeze.
Additionally, I discovered that the Tablet Mode in Windows 11 actually allows for more than two windows to be open at once, which was a pleasant surprise. This feature came in handy when I needed to multitask and reference multiple documents or web pages simultaneously.
The Verdict: Is Windows 11 Tablet Mode Better?
After my extensive testing and tinkering, I have to say that the Windows 11 Tablet Mode is a mixed bag. While it has some promising features and improvements over the Windows 10 experience, it still falls short in a few key areas.
The lack of a readily accessible back button and the absence of a grid view for Chrome tabs are two significant drawbacks that make the overall tablet experience feel less intuitive and user-friendly. However, the ability to customize the taskbar, the touchpad emulation, and the multi-window support are all welcome additions that help to mitigate these issues.
Ultimately, whether the Windows 11 Tablet Mode is better than Windows 10 will largely depend on your personal preferences and how you intend to use your device. If you’re someone who values a more streamlined and intuitive tablet experience, then Windows 11 may not be a significant upgrade. But if you’re willing to put in a bit of effort to customize and adapt to the new features, then the Windows 11 Tablet Mode could be a worthwhile investment.
As for me, I’ll continue to use my Surface Pro 7 and explore the various options available to enhance my tablet experience. And who knows, maybe in a future update, Microsoft will address some of the lingering issues and make the Tablet Mode truly shine. Until then, I’ll keep exploring the world of tech and finding ways to make the most out of my Windows 11 device.
