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Microsoft-Windows-10-Surface-Go

A tablet that is good for work purposes

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The new Microsoft Windows 10 Surface Go has received good reviews for use with a detachable keyboard for work purposes.

It is described as a “budget”, ie low cost model, which means it does have some limitations, according to the Guardian’s Samuel Gibbs, who describes it as better for work than for play. This means that it is not ideal for anyone wanting media consumption as it has no apps for such things as Sky Q, Amazon Video or Google Play Movies.

However, when working on the move, Gibbs says that paired with the Type Cover keyboard it is very good work machine, easier to use on a lap, plane or train table.

Wired, too, gives the Surface Go a decent review.

It makes the same point as Gibbs, about media consumption: “if you want to take Netflix, Fornite and the rest of your favourite apps on holiday this summer” it would not be a good choice.

However: “if straddling between spreadsheets, emails and, well, other more boring stuff is a greater priority, then Microsoft’s Surface Go should be your first port of call.”

The tablet could not be used as your main work machine, but according to these reviews it would make an ideal, lightweight and compact substitute for those times when you have to be on the move and still able to work.

RIP-Vista

The End for Windows Vista

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No more support for Windows Vista

It is ten years since the Windows Vista operating system was launched and this week on April 11 2017 Microsoft finally withdrew support.

Vista users will no longer receive security updates that can help protect PCs from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software that can steal personal information.

When it was launched, Vista was supposed to revolutionise Windows because of its new file system and user interface.  But the new system was “graphically intense” and took up a lot of space, especially on laptops.  It was also too much for many netbooks.

Users complained about file transfers being slower than Windows XP, video games were sluggish, and on-screen prompts constantly pestered PC owners.

Vista reportedly became one of the most disliked software packages, especially when compared with Windows XP, which was two years older than Vista.

At the time, Microsoft was criticised for failing to understand customers’ needs and for not listening to them.

While those who still have Vista on their machines will still be able to run it, they should be aware that they will no longer be protected and if they store sensitive information, where security is important they should consider changing to a different operating system.

They may also find that their PCs will no longer work with other hardware, such as printers, scanners and cameras that have been manufactured to be compatible with more recent operating systems.

If you want to find out about the life cycles for support on other Windows operating systems there’s a fact sheet here

If you want help to upgrade to a newer system Colchester IT can assess whether your existing computer hardware is powerful enough to cope as Windows 10, for example, is very power-hungry needs at least 1GB of RAM, between 16 GB and 20 GB of free storage, and a display with a resolution of at least 800 x 600 pixels.

Call us for advice and to help you through the process of upgrading.