This time machine transported me from 2015 to today, and it runs Win11
July 25, 2023 3:52 PM Subscribe
I recently upgraded to a new laptop, and I have a lot of questions about what life with a PC laptop is like in 2023. Maybe you’ve got some ideas about USB-C and Windows 11, and how this old dog can learn new tricks?
My previous laptop was on its last legs. After all, I bought it in May 2015. It was an Asus Zenbook, generally on the small (13”) and slim side. I decided this summer to get a Dell XPS 15 which feels like lightyears beyond that device. I was having trouble with wifi, with Zoom, with updates to basic software, with pretty much everything to be a functional professional digital adult in 2023. Partly that’s because I was running Windows 8.1 and partly because I think my laptop hardware just couldn’t keep up.
Here’s the scenario, and it’s meant to be a complete picture of my generally simple needs, rather than snowflakey details:
I mostly work from home at a standing desk, a mix of spreadsheets, emails, Zoom/etc, and the like, generally through the Google Suite but some Microsoft products and Notion thrown in. Occasionally I want to do some amateur photo and audio editing, some things like Canva and Audacity more than intense PhotoShop. I’m unlikely to ever worry about video, playing or editing. I don’t really play video games, though I might use this computer for Roll20 D&D sessions at some point. Basically every file I use lives on my Dropbox account, or on some external hard drives. On Windows 8.1, I ran ClassicShell to get me closer to my preferred Windows experience of the early 2000s.
Because my wifi adapter on the old laptop would crash randomly (since 2019 or so), I used a USB-Ethernet adapter connected to an ethernet-over-powerline adapter. The current adapter doesn't seem to play nicely over my USB-A to USB-C adapter; it crashes, but I seek the stability and speed of this connection, so I think I have to upgrade this piece ASAP, perhaps to this Belkin adapter.
I have an external monitor and bluetooth speakers. I prefer to use a mouse over a trackpad, and currently have a cheap old Microsoft USB-A mouse. I’m curious about a laptop stand and maybe even an external keyboard at some point.
I occasionally take my laptop to a coworking space or to teach in-person.
Here’s what my questions boil down to, I think, though maybe I’m completely missing something due to ignorantly not keeping up with the cutting edges:
- How do I best transition to having only USB-C ports on my laptop? My USB-A life is strong, including my external hard drives and charging cables for devices. I don’t feel like upgrading everything simultaneously. Currently my USB-A hub has 6-8 items plugged in at any one time.
- How do I adapt to Windows 11, and what can I modify to my decades-long-ish experience through products like ClassicShell? Are there functions that are absolutely awesome that I should take advantage of?
- Bonus: I picked up some software defined radio dongle and antennas a few months ago and never got that running well on my 8.1 computer. If anybody has tips on how to smartly get into this now that I have real hardware, please point me in the right direction!
My previous laptop was on its last legs. After all, I bought it in May 2015. It was an Asus Zenbook, generally on the small (13”) and slim side. I decided this summer to get a Dell XPS 15 which feels like lightyears beyond that device. I was having trouble with wifi, with Zoom, with updates to basic software, with pretty much everything to be a functional professional digital adult in 2023. Partly that’s because I was running Windows 8.1 and partly because I think my laptop hardware just couldn’t keep up.
Here’s the scenario, and it’s meant to be a complete picture of my generally simple needs, rather than snowflakey details:
I mostly work from home at a standing desk, a mix of spreadsheets, emails, Zoom/etc, and the like, generally through the Google Suite but some Microsoft products and Notion thrown in. Occasionally I want to do some amateur photo and audio editing, some things like Canva and Audacity more than intense PhotoShop. I’m unlikely to ever worry about video, playing or editing. I don’t really play video games, though I might use this computer for Roll20 D&D sessions at some point. Basically every file I use lives on my Dropbox account, or on some external hard drives. On Windows 8.1, I ran ClassicShell to get me closer to my preferred Windows experience of the early 2000s.
Because my wifi adapter on the old laptop would crash randomly (since 2019 or so), I used a USB-Ethernet adapter connected to an ethernet-over-powerline adapter. The current adapter doesn't seem to play nicely over my USB-A to USB-C adapter; it crashes, but I seek the stability and speed of this connection, so I think I have to upgrade this piece ASAP, perhaps to this Belkin adapter.
I have an external monitor and bluetooth speakers. I prefer to use a mouse over a trackpad, and currently have a cheap old Microsoft USB-A mouse. I’m curious about a laptop stand and maybe even an external keyboard at some point.
I occasionally take my laptop to a coworking space or to teach in-person.
Here’s what my questions boil down to, I think, though maybe I’m completely missing something due to ignorantly not keeping up with the cutting edges:
- How do I best transition to having only USB-C ports on my laptop? My USB-A life is strong, including my external hard drives and charging cables for devices. I don’t feel like upgrading everything simultaneously. Currently my USB-A hub has 6-8 items plugged in at any one time.
- How do I adapt to Windows 11, and what can I modify to my decades-long-ish experience through products like ClassicShell? Are there functions that are absolutely awesome that I should take advantage of?
- Bonus: I picked up some software defined radio dongle and antennas a few months ago and never got that running well on my 8.1 computer. If anybody has tips on how to smartly get into this now that I have real hardware, please point me in the right direction!
Windows 11 is so much better than 8. I don't use anything like Classic Shell anymore. I luckily have 2 USB-A ports, so haven't looked into USB-C (but I'll have to check out one of those docks).
I downloaded Libre Office, Firefox and a few other apps, but other than that, I've been happy with stock 11. I recently started running the Insider Previews. There's a new app to pair your phone with the computer that I just got set up. I haven't really given it a run yet though.
I also set up Linux Subsystem Window (or whatever order the words are in) running Ubuntu, and that's nice.
posted by kathrynm at 4:32 PM on July 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
I downloaded Libre Office, Firefox and a few other apps, but other than that, I've been happy with stock 11. I recently started running the Insider Previews. There's a new app to pair your phone with the computer that I just got set up. I haven't really given it a run yet though.
I also set up Linux Subsystem Window (or whatever order the words are in) running Ubuntu, and that's nice.
posted by kathrynm at 4:32 PM on July 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: My kid has the newest computer in the house, a Macbook that only has USB-C ports. She uses the USB-C adapter that came with my spouse's last phone, a Google Pixel of some sort, whenever she needs to connect something to it and it hasn't had any issues so far. The adapter is just a little piece of plastic with a USB-A port on one side and a USB-C port on the other. It is a nicer looking version of this kind of thing. If you got something like that then you could conceivably be able to run all of your existing devices until you decide it's time to replace them.
Also, I would expect that you'd be able to get USB-C cables for the portable hard drives if you wanted to connect them directly to your new computer.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 4:51 PM on July 25, 2023
Also, I would expect that you'd be able to get USB-C cables for the portable hard drives if you wanted to connect them directly to your new computer.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 4:51 PM on July 25, 2023
Definitely invest in a USB-C dock with multiple USB-A connections. Simple and inexpensive. Personally I would avoid an adapter, though those are handy to have when out and about and you need to connect a USB-A device.
As you transition, look for flash drives that are double-ended. These have been lifesavers for me, as I often have to use flash storage on my USB-C-only MacBook Air and an older USB-A only Windows machine.
I've only played with Windows 11 a little, it's horrible, but almost anything is better than Windows 8. Classic Shell or similar software like Stardock's Start11 is putting lipstick on a pig, and doesn't cure the OS's many deeper problems, but may indeed make it usable.
posted by lhauser at 7:55 PM on July 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
As you transition, look for flash drives that are double-ended. These have been lifesavers for me, as I often have to use flash storage on my USB-C-only MacBook Air and an older USB-A only Windows machine.
I've only played with Windows 11 a little, it's horrible, but almost anything is better than Windows 8. Classic Shell or similar software like Stardock's Start11 is putting lipstick on a pig, and doesn't cure the OS's many deeper problems, but may indeed make it usable.
posted by lhauser at 7:55 PM on July 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
As for USB-C, you may want a USB-C dock. There are many to choose from at varying price points.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 4:28 PM on July 25, 2023