It has been almost 2 years since Microsoft released Windows 11 as replacement for Windows 10, and only a little over 2 years before Windows 10 goes out of support. When compared to the global average, New Zealand businesses have been on the slower end of adopting Windows 11, however that is rapidly changing. Given the push from OEMs towards Windows 11 from both a feature and pricing perspective, as well as the time required to execute a full device refresh, now is a great time to look at making the switch.

 

With that in mind, I wanted to go over some of the reasons (both Surface and non) to consider the move to the latest Windows OS offering:

 

  1. Tailored User Experience: Windows 11 is designed with touch and pen input in mind, making it particularly well-suited for Surface devices. The redesigned Start menu, centred taskbar, and improved touch gestures provide a more intuitive and seamless experience on touchscreen devices.
  2. Enhanced Surface Pen Integration: Windows 11 offers improved integration with the Surface Pens, making it easier and more enjoyable to use. It includes enhancements to inking, such as improved latency and precision, which can result in a more natural and fluid writing or drawing experience on your Surface device. On latest generation devices, the Surface Slim Pen 2 also provides haptic feedback, giving the feeling of writing on textured paper rather than glass.
  3. Optimized Performance: Windows 11 brings performance optimizations that can enhance the overall experience on your Surface device. This includes faster startup times, improved power efficiency / battery life, and refined resource management, ensuring smooth and responsive performance for tasks like note-taking, drawing, and multitasking.
  4. Better Tablet Mode: Swapping in and out of tablet mode is dramatically improved with Windows 11. No longer do you need to manually swap between these modes, your device will detect the change and update the mode automatically based on your preferences. It also includes a revamped virtual keyboard, improved gestures, and a more touch-friendly interface, making it more convenient to navigate and interact with your Surface device when in tablet mode.
  5. Security Enhancements: Windows 11 introduces several security enhancements as default, such as secure boot, TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 requirement, and enhanced Windows Hello biometric authentication. These measures help protect against malware, phishing attacks, and unauthorized access to your device. With Surface firmware improvements able to be delivered via Windows Update, you can ensure Surface devices in your managed environments are making the most of the latest security features available.
  6. Virtual Desktops and Snap Layouts: Windows 11 offers improved virtual desktop functionality, allowing users to create and manage multiple desktops for better organization and productivity. Snap Layouts enable effortless window management, facilitating the arrangement of multiple windows on the screen. While additional desktops can be used to separate out work types, or non-work windows entirely for privacy or minimising distractions.
  7. Improved Voice Support: Windows 11 comes with an improved version of Microsoft Speech Services and Voice Access Controls. For me, these improvements are enough that it has gone from a feature I would occasionally go check out but be disappointed by, to something that I used to write and edit the majority of this article! While for me it has primarily been a useful novelty, I can only imagine how much of a difference the full extent of these features will make for those with hand mobility difficulties.


Quite a few of these Windows 11 benefits are quite easy to demonstrate, if you would like to see how Windows 11 looks and feels on a Surface device feel free to reach out to me. I am happy to organise a visit to show everything we have to offer!