Ask Paul: October 12 (Premium)

Happy Friday. Here's another round of questions and answers, many related to Windows 10 software quality issues.
Surface No Go
Simard57 asks:
Since you do not recommend the Surface Go - what would you recommend for a sub 10" Windows 10 tablet form factor preferably in a 3:2 screen ratio?
I don't recommend using Windows on PCs with small displays. Right now, I think that 12-inches or so is about the smallest that makes sense ... for Windows. Remember that the entire point of Windows on small displays was centered on an apps platform that never materialized in a meaningful way and that we're returning the sanity of desktop applications. Which don't work well on smaller displays at all.

I'm not being facetious here: Just get an iPad. They're relatively inexpensive, have the best apps and media ecosystems, and the performance is excellent. Unlike with Surface Go.
Will they ever get it right?
hrlngrv asks:
What are the odds MSFT will accept the need to make Windows 19H1 the next safe Windows version? If you believe the odds are low, how many more upgrades with serious problems would need to occur before MSFT decided fixing problems should come before adding features?
Aside from some pointed opining in Microsoft Begins the “Re-release” of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, I've tried to steer clear of being overly-harsh about this debacle. But it's become increasingly clear that the system Microsoft uses to test and then deploy Windows upgrades is seriously flawed. And that something needs to change.

During our discussion about this on this week's Windows Weekly, we collectively arrived at the notion that Microsoft needs to formally halt the development of new features in Windows and basically re-do the Trustworthy Computing Initiative from Windows XP SP2 days. This would be a formal embrace of my "finish the job" ideas, and it would be very welcome.

Tied to this is the notion that Microsoft, like the TSA, is always fighting the last threat. So yeah, 19H1 will be free of the problems from 1809, I'm sure. But it's the process that is broken. And there is a new problem every release.

Microsoft needs to focus on quality for sure. Will they? I'm pessimistic.
Google's new
ericmeetsworld asks:
Any update on the new Google USB-C to 3.5mm adapter?
This is a reference to my post from a month ago where I noted that Google had quietly issued a new version of its USB-C headphone adapter that promised improvements over the original. Given my various issues with USB-C on my Pixel 2 XL, I ordered one.

What I haven't done much is actually use it out in the world: I'm worried about screwing up yet another USB-C port on a Pixel 2 XL before I have to trade it in for its replacement Pixel 3. So I will keep using other devices for audio, for the most part, until that happens. (I actually did use the new Pixel USB-C earbuds this morning with the Pixel 2 XL on my walk, and they worked wonderfully.)

I have tested the new Google USB-C ...

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