The Windows waiting game: My first day with a new laptop

The anticipation builds as I lift my new Dell laptop from its box. That familiar excitement of unwrapping a fresh piece of technology - we’ve all been there. Today’s mission: setting up what will become my trusty companion for Outlook training sessions.

The Reality Check

Like a child eager to play with a new toy, I quickly power up the device and prepare for an afternoon of customization and exploration. But Windows has other plans. A series of system updates appears on screen, bringing my enthusiasm to an abrupt halt.

Hours tick by as I watch the progress bar crawl forward with glacial speed. 54% complete, and still counting. Not exactly the productive first day I had envisioned.

That initial spark of excitement now flickers dimly behind endless update screens. I find myself staring at the loading bar, contemplating the irony of how our relationship with technology often begins with a lesson in patience rather than productivity.

Sure, I understand why these updates matter. Security patches and performance improvements are crucial in today’s digital landscape. But sitting here, watching that progress bar inch forward, I can’t help but smile at how universal this experience is. It’s one of those modern rituals we all share - the hurry-up-and-wait dance with a new Windows laptop.

Sometimes the most authentic first impressions aren’t about dramatic revelations or instant gratification. They’re about these quiet moments of anticipation, teaching us that even in our fast-paced digital world, some things still require us to slow down and wait.

Jeroen Sangers @jeroensangers