SP3 Start Button Issue

[Fred Mertz]

I've read and heard a few people complaining about the Windows / Start Button being an issue in Landscape mode that when resting your hand on the screen, it will kick you out of current program back to desktop. Some of the reviews have said that Microsoft is taking this issue very seriously, taking feedback from users and are looking into it. My question is, will they actually do some sort of cosmetic change by moving the Start Button elsewhere prior to the June 20, 2014 release or anytime after that? Or is this just all lip service on the part of MS?

 

[Zulfigar]

Neither. They'll probably make a patch to let people disable the button when the SP3 is in landscape, or altogether. It's too late for a cosmetics change, but never too late to change the firmware.

 

[kittengirl]

I don't think actually moving the button would suffice anyway. I actually have this problem fairly regularly on my SP2, with the button at the bottom. I believe that a method for disabling it is probably the best solution no matter what.

 

[LazyEvul]

They might also be able to play around with palm rejection to disable the button when your palm is near that edge of the screen. Don't expect any hardware changes though, anything they do for this issue will definitely be a software fix at this point - too many units have been produced at this point to go back to the drawing board.

 

[maflynn]

Of all the design aspects of the SP3, moving the start button is one that I MS missed on. Its a tough tablet to use in portrait mode and I think the majority of time it will be in landscape mode. Design for the rule, not the exception. In this case it seems they made design decisions around the exception.

 

[darthhen]

I was at the MS store today and played with SP3. I didnt experience accidental Start Button when i was using the stylus in OneNote.

 

[mozman68]

I was at the MS store today and played with SP3. I didnt experience accidental Start Button when i was using the stylus in OneNote.

Me too...played with it again specifically to practice with the pen. I think it just depends on how one writes/draws...I tend to write from the side and not "straight up." Home button was never an issue in portrait mode.

 

[StevoPhilo]

They should make it a physical button rather than a sensor. It would solve the issue, but it may not be able to be as thin with it that way.

 

[v0lum3]

I read that MS is working on a software fix to disable the button when the pen/palm is near the button, as Penny Arcade had exactly this problem. So its gonna improve before release!