Hey, HP! It's time to use Microsoft Precision touchpads in more PCs.

For the last few days, I've been using the new – and unique – HP Spectre Folio a.k.a., "the leather PC." It'southward a remarkable device that solves some common computer bug while delivering everything I've wanted in a PC.

But one affair that drives me nuts about all of HP's premium Spectre line, including the new ones announced recently, is HP's reliance on not-Precision drivers for its Spectre touchpads. It'south time for the company to make the spring to Precision.

What is Microsoft Precision?

Going back to Windows 8.1 and the Surface Pro 2, Microsoft began a process to create a standardized touchpad experience. At that bespeak, Apple had established itself as the king of trackpads. Nary a discussion could be had almost switching between macOS and Windows without someone mentioning how astonishing Apple's trackpads were.

Precision coalesces around standardized drivers and gestures that we now encounter in Windows 10. New features and improvements are routinely added through Windows 10 feature updates (twice a twelvemonth). Trackpad navigation is smooth, consistent, authentic, and more responsive when using Precision drivers.

Microsoft Precision settings found nether Settings.

Matching the software is the necessary hardware, which is ofttimes a Synaptics trackpad. Microsoft does not dictate – every bit far equally we know – hardware requirements, then at that place is withal variation in size and fifty-fifty materials, such as glass or plastic. That gives PC manufacturers some cost flexibility without making them commit to expensive parts for low- or mid-range laptops.

Microsoft was the beginning to apply its Precision organisation in the Surface Pro 2 – which had a small, mediocre trackpad – and has used it ever since in all its Surfaces. Today, Surface Volume ii, Surface Laptop, and even Surface Pro and Surface Go accept some of the best trackpad experiences for PCs.

How to customize 'Precision Touchpad' settings in the Windows 10

But Precision isn't just for Microsoft. The company'due south goal was to utilise, meliorate and share the drivers with all its OEM partners for their laptops, too, probable with a pocket-size licensing fee. Today, Dell, Lenovo, Razer, Samsung, and fifty-fifty mid-tier manufacturers like MSI and Acer, all utilize Precision drivers in their mid- to high-range laptops.

HP already uses Precision ... sometimes

HP has brilliant touchpads in its EliteBook line of busines laptops.

Perhaps the most infuriating aspect about HP is information technology does employ Microsoft Precision drivers, in its premium business line. HP'south EliteBooks are some of my favorite laptops – I'm evaluating the new EliteBook x360 1030 (G3) now, and it'due south almost perfect – and role of that is because they have exceptional trackpads. And they all use Precision drivers.

But when it comes to HP's premium consumer line, dubbed Spectre, the company has never used Precision. Instead, HP falls dorsum to using Synaptics drivers that are subpar. (To brand matters more disruptive the HP Envy x2 with ARM uses a Precision commuter; Green-eyed is HP's mid-tier range).

Every time I review a Spectre laptop I accomplish the same decision: information technology's perfect, merely the trackpad is a letdown.

There is not a single instance where touchpad drivers by Synaptics are ever better than Precision. Accuracy is diminished, sensitivity is all over the place, pinch-to-zoom tin can be chaotic, and scrolling in apps is random. When I use apps like GroupMe or Twitter, scrolling is janky versus some other apps where information technology is merely OK.

Anyone who says Synaptics drivers are skillful, or not that bad, has probably never used either a MacBook or a Windows PC with Precision drivers extensively. And while users can try to "hack" Precision drivers onto their laptops – I wrote a guide on how to do that – the procedure often breaks, has ongoing compatibility issues, is non optimized, and it is undoubtedly not the answer for regular consumers.

Precision is the only standard

Not only do PC manufacturers compete with Apple's persistent hardware prowess in laptops, merely they also contend with each other. They need all the advantages they can get.

Touchpads in laptops are not something that can exist passed over similar ports, reduced performance with DDR3 versus DDR4 RAM, or even audio where corners are often cut. Trackpads are the cadre feel, one of the most frequently used parts of the PC (the exception existence gaming laptops where gaming mice are often employed). No ane should exist cutting corners hither.

HP makes some of the best state-of-the-art hardware around, often matching Microsoft in creativity but massively undercutting the visitor in price. The Spectre x360 13t is consistently our best-value and peak 13-inch convertible for good reason.

But HP regularly sells itself and its customers curt by relying on Synaptics drivers instead of Precision. There'southward merely no excuse, and even HP'due south business organisation partitioning gets why Precision is better. And so why can't the company standardize on Precision?

In that location is no argue here. HP, and all laptop manufacturers, should be on board with Precision. Reports were that Microsoft was going to make Precision mandatory, but as these new Spectres illustrate, that dominion has not gone into effect.

I wish it had. HP's Spectres are very good, only not quite great. Precision would exist the difference maker.

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/hp-needs-start-using-microsoft-precision-touchpads-now

Posted by: elkinsextur1962.blogspot.com

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