Technology Ramblings

So it's been a while since I've posted regarding Windows 10 builds.  In the last 3 weeks there have 2 - first was build 17692 released on June 14, then most recently 17704 released June 27. 17692 actually contained quite a few new features ranging from Swiftkey and Fonts to Game Mode, Narrator, etc., while 17704 focused on Edge, Security, the new ScreenSnip App, Task Manager and more. But the big news that also came with 17704 is that Windows Sets - the tabbed UI experience - has been shelved for RS5.    I've had a mixed experience with Sets and MS called out that several programs had compatibility issues with things like the title bar and other menu related items that couldn't be supported in time for the fall release - 1809.   My test machines also had a mixed bag with updating.   My little Venue 8 Pro failed multiple times during the 17704 update with an "attempt to switch from DPC" GSOD after after like reboot #4 it finally took. ...

On May 31 and then June 6 respectively MS released Windows RS5 builds 17682 then 17686 to Fast Ring and Skip Ahead insiders. These two builds started to return some level of stability to RS5 - which in my experience across my various test platforms was pretty much a mess. With several of the previous builds - of all my test machines only my basic desktop configuration - a Dell Inspiron 3647 with no touch, pen or hello capabilities was able to consistently download and install updates without some sort of GSOD or other failure.   Even 17682 had real problems with my laptop - an HP Elitebook 745G3 which runs an AMD Pro12 8800-R7 CPU/GPU combination.   Drivers would not install properly or at all and you often had to spend an hour or more post update - correcting those kinds of basic hardware support items. From a feature perspective 17682 continue to improve on the Sets feature - if your device actually had it enabled.   Two of my machines do and yes ...

In recent years - I've stated that for many use cases - alternative OS like ChromeOS make a viable alternative to Windows or MacOS PCs. So I decided to put my money where my mouth is and purchased a Google Pixelbook. I took advantage of a promotion and was able to purchase the Core i5 unit with 8GB RAM, 128GB NVMe drive for $749 a $250 discount from the normal $999.  It also comes with a 2400 x 1600 display, 2 x USB-C ports.   I also purchased the pen for a very unreasonable $99 (should be more like $40).   Here is the Good, Bad and Ugly I've experienced - under the use case of making this the primary daily driver for work.. The Good... The Pixelbook is an extremely solid device and while incredibly thin, it has substance and weight.  There are no fans - so it is extremely quiet.  It boots in less than 10 seconds. The keyboard is a chiclet style and a bit firmer with less key travel than normal but it works okay.   But you have to...