I spent my childhood surrounded by Windows and laptops. Though I can’t say definitively that I’ve bid farewell to laptops forever, if I ever decide to get another one, it’s clear it won’t be running Windows.

Windows Feels Like Reliving the Past

Up until I turned 18, Windows was essentially the sole operating system I used. Linux did cross my path, but it was limited to a live CD and an old PC for tinkering. Smartphones and tablets weren’t yet part of the picture; Windows was my digital home.

I transitioned to using Linux full-time around 2009 during college, briefly dabbling with Windows 7 before leaving it behind.

Every time I find myself at a Windows machine, I’m struck by how little has changed. Admittedly, it’s sleeker now, but the core experience feels superficially modernized.

The persistence of installing software by browsing the web and downloading EXE files seems outdated. Seeing the classic install wizard for something like Steam feels like climbing back into a '90s-era car—functional, sure, but technology has made incredible strides.

So Much Now Seems Perplexing and Unintuitive

Any Linux user will recognize how often people claim they stick with Windows because it’s simple and reliable. Once you step away from Windows, it becomes evident that this ease stems more from habit than inherent simplicity.

Why should the SSD housing your OS be labeled the C drive? What makes a “flash drive” or “USB stick” imply the D drive, which could also represent a DVD drive?

Similarly, despite numerous ways to access the new settings app, the old control panel remains intact in Windows 10 and persists in Windows 11. And while setting up a new phone and removing unnecessary apps takes effort, it pales in comparison to the adjustments required to make a fresh Windows setup tolerable.

I could delve into the Windows registry and driver management, but that ties into my next point, so let’s proceed.

Windows Requires Too Much Maintenance

Windows contributes significantly to the fear many people have of PCs. There’s so much you must remember to do: run antivirus scans, defragment your hard drive (only if it’s not an SSD), avoid clicking anything that could lead to a ransomware attack.

Decades later, people still discuss the infamous blue—or black—screen of death.

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An Era Ends

Posts 1 Smartphones and tablets aren’t perfect, but they function seamlessly. That’s why so many people have embraced them. Many haven’t swapped their PCs for phones—their phones are simply the first computers they truly understood.

I realize that within a week of using Windows as my main machine again, I’d adapt. But I don’t want to invest the effort anymore. It’s akin to asking someone who’s driven an electric vehicle for nearly a decade to handle oil changes, spark plugs, engine belts, catalytic converters, and exhaust systems again. Windows is like a bulky pickup truck—overkill for my needs, excessively resource-intensive, and demanding too much upkeep.

More Alternative Desktop Operating Systems Than Ever

Back in my youth, Windows was synonymous with computers, and Macs held a modest market share. Even knowledgeable users found Linux challenging to adopt.

Today, the narrative has shifted dramatically. MacBooks dominate creative industries, while many students grow up using Chromebooks instead of Windows devices. Linux faces its greatest obstacle in its absence from pre-installed PCs in major retail outlets, though it’s straightforward once set up.

Samsung has long offered a desktop mode via Samsung DeX on its phones and tablets, and it’s not alone in this feature. Google is now integrating similar functionality directly into Android.

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I overlooked how pivotal hardware can be.

Posts 33 Windows has too much competition. There’s little incentive for me to revisit it when I’ve thrived without it.

I’m Uncertain About Purchasing Another Laptop or Desktop

Honestly, the conventional PC design holds little appeal for me. I’m unwilling to settle in one place for a desktop, and I’ve never enjoyed my posture when using a laptop.

Nowadays, I perform all tasks on my foldable phone, a Galaxy Z Fold 6. I rarely use Samsung DeX—I just work directly on the inner screen.

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The P stands for personal, and here’s what that means for me.

Posts 10 My stylus has replaced the keyboard and mouse as my primary interface. I’ve discovered a whole new approach to computing that flexibly adapts to whatever form factor suits my mood. Meanwhile, Windows caters exclusively to traditional PCs, and it seems to struggle even there.

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When pondering my next machine, I’m not fixated on Microsoft’s offerings, nor am I particularly drawn to Apple. Instead, I’m closely watching phones as they evolve into more potent, versatile, and capable personal computers.

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