Ultimately, I think the Windows 10 environment is excellent for me as it caters for so many different uses. The inclusion of the Xbox app is also great for when you need some downtime too!
I mainly used the HP Spectre for classwork functions – this is where the Windows 10 environment really worked for me. The Spectre’s touch screen was really great for annotating my work in class with what we are required to do, reference points and additional ideas. It makes thinking through a concept, or a plan for class work really efficient. It also makes sketching out designs and models really easy, as you can simply use Windows Ink to draw things freehand or insert shapes and images rather than going to a separate program.
HP Spectre is a really nice laptop and I found myself using it all the time, even if I didn’t need to be on it to study or to complete my essays. I love the great Bang & Olufsen speakers, and to be honest I can’t do my homework without having some music on, so the sound quality coming from such a slim and compact laptop really blew me away. Because it’s so light, the Spectre fits into my backpack really easily. I usually have to carry my laptop and books in my hand because they’re too heavy.
I especially loved using Cortana, although at first it felt slightly strange talking to my computer but after a short while it felt completely normal, just like asking a friend to do certain tasks for you. However, I wouldn’t want to speak out loud in a public place like a library, so I would type in my requests instead. I got her to do all sorts of things, from helping me set up study group appointments, syncing up calendars, to telling me what my schedule is for the day or week. She will even sing you a song if you ask her nicely!
Sometimes, I’m really busy juggling with part-time work, extra-curricular activities and school, but I love multitasking, so I feel that Cortana really allows me to achieve that, I’d be doing something else whilst she gets things sorted out for me and will be there to remind me when I need to be somewhere else, figure out travel times, weather and other things which helped me get to my appointments on time. I also really like the reminders function, this is set automatically when you get to your destination so you know what you’re supposed to do!
I think once in a while I can get overwhelmed with too many things on the go and I find that the Sticky Notes function helps keep me organised. I would leave them open on my desktop so I could always see them when I opened my computer. The ability to customise their colour is also very useful, as you can colour coordinate different sticky notes for different categories. The desktop can get very busy but the Sticky Notes always stand out.
Ultimately, I think the Windows 10 environment is excellent for me as it caters for so many different uses. The inclusion of the Xbox app is also great for when you need some downtime too!
Aysha Strobbe is a high school student in Sydney who is passionate about science and creative design, in her downtime she enjoys listening to music and watching youtube videos. This is the last of a 3 part community reviews series for Windows 10. The first and second reviews can be found here.
