Windows 7 can be tablet-friendly after all [video]

By on Jun 1, 2011 at 7:11 AM
Software June 1, 2011

Microsoft doesn’t have plans to release its upcoming tablet-friendly Windows 8 operating system until some time next year, but that doesn’t mean Windows fans have to wait for an optimized tablet experience. Windows tablet fan Justin Campana found a series of apps and tweaks that can be combined with a few custom scripts to make the Windows 7 touch experience much more appealing. On his blog, Campana lays out a great guide that gives users all the tools they need to transform their contrived Windows 7 slates into gorgeous touch-optimized tablets. He uses a variety of software such as ObjectDock, Fences and Rainmeter along with a bunch of tweaks to make Windows 7 look like it was born for tablets. Best of all, Campana happily shares his methods with the world. Hit the break for a video of ASUS’ 12-inch Eee Slate EP121 Windows 7 tablet with touch optimizations applied, and follow the read link for a simple guide that will show you how to perform the mods yourself.

Read

Tags:
, , , , , , , , , , ,
19 Comments

Related Articles

  • Anonymous

    No need for the copy and paste buttons… flicks do those quite nicely and they’re built in to Windows 7.

    • Anonymous

      please explain…

    • Anonymous

      Depends on the hardware. Touch gestures make systems lag for some reason. This demo was pretty good but it felt like he was dancing on needles. We need great software running on crappy autistic hardware.

      This is a great hack. No need to Skin the ui, just create bigger buttons/shortcuts for often used features. But there’s a bunch if stuff missing. I hope Microsoft doesn’t see this and think they can slap shortcuts onto windows and call it a day. If apple can cone back from the dead I’m pretty sure Microsoft can reinvent itself before their cash cows run out.

  • http://twitter.com/UrbanEnigma Yves

    Looks decent but, as I expected, it’s still pretty choppy due to the heavy RAM/CPU demands of Windows 7. It’s refreshing to see a true desktop interface on a tablet though

  • http://www.droiddoes.com/ Norm

    The only real tablet OS is DROID OS 3.0 honeycomb

    • Anonymous

      Android*

      • Anonymous

        Don’t correct Norm.

      • Anonymous

        In the real world people think every android phone is a Droid not everyone lives on a tech blog. People ask me every day what Droid I have. I have at&t so I obviously don’t have a Droid. Thank vzw for confusing everyone.

        PS. I know he knows the difference. Just sayin’

    • http://profiles.google.com/ceeaser28 ian carr

      you say the dumbest things on here, you bum. Android is not at all best optimized for a tablet, let alone phones. Its not even true linux, so its potential is flawed like your statements. Windows is, and this shows alot of promise. Though the best OS right now for tablets, or laptops fully scaled is Webos period.

      • Anonymous

         windows is true linux? windows is supposedly tablet optimized but android isn’t, even though the opposite is what’s actually true? do you have any other comments that make as much sense as your grammar?

  • http://twitter.com/FrankJL_ Francisco J. Lopez

    I wonder if this setup ould work on my ipad through a rmeote connection.

  • JD

    (In Jeff Goldblums voice) Yes, yes, let’s um, let’s add MORE “buttons” to an already busy, is that the right word? I believe it is, busy interface to make it even more, how would I put this now, um, yes, less elegant. Wait…no…this truly is an abomination of computing interfaces, that’s, that’s just how it is. Yes. 

    • http://profiles.google.com/ceeaser28 ian carr

      huh sounds like your having a stroke or something.

  • Anonymous

    The problem is touch optimized apps.  The advantage of Windows are the number of applications and games.  If you can’t use them easily with a touch interface then whats the point?

  • http://twitter.com/borax99 Alain Chappaz

    Very very nice. The only (tiny) enhancement I would make is to add buttons to go into sleep/hibernation/shutdown. Other than that, it’s a thing of beauty. Kudos to señor Campana !

  • Neoprimal

    It’s sad that MS hasn’t seen fit to include a true “touch screen mode” which would enable a more tablet friendly interface. Maybe something that looks like WP7 or Meego, at least as far as the touch elements to get to different areas of the device and settings and programs in the notif. area. Would it really be that difficult or are they just not thinking ahead?

  • http://www.plrsifu.com plr store

    does that mean i will be able to run windows 7 on anything but the ipad?

  • Anonymous

    Windows 7 is just cool like that I guess.

    http://www.hide-your-ip.at.tc

  • PJ Gildernew

    Hey sorry I am soooo late on this thread!  I enjoyed the demo as I am considering what to get for the most usability and functionality…should I go with the ipad 2 or should i go with a win 7 tablet such as this or another model?!? This demo definitely has me leaning toward the win 7 pads but do they have a handwriting capture mode? (if so, will any stylus work or do you need a certain kind?)  I specifically want to use the tablet to help me in coaching my volleyball teams.  I need to run some stat programs, diagram plays, and take notes regarding other teams and players.  What do you think?  Thanks again.

blog comments powered by Disqus