I’m exploring how practical it is to use a Windows 11 touchscreen laptop with a stylus as a fully touch- and pen-based system — without relying on a mouse or keyboard.
I’m currently using a 2024 LG Gram with an LG stylus pen. While the touch and pen input work decently, I still often need to connect a keyboard or mouse, which defeats the purpose of a truly mobile, hands-on workflow.
My main use case is music composition and notation (mostly in Dorico and Cubase, SL11), along with general browsing and navigation.
I’ve tried Windows Voice Access, and while it’s helpful for basic tasks, it’s still too limited for smooth, all-day use — even with custom voice commands.
So I’m wondering:
Has anyone successfully gone fully keyboard/mouse-free with a Windows tablet/laptop?
Any tools, workflows, or device recommendations that helped make it work?
Dorico for iPad basically offers what you are aiming at. I have been using it without external keypad with an Apple pencil but it is not ideal as the on screen keyboard does not work for the shortcuts so you lose some efficiency if you normally use them a lot.
The on screen keyboard does work for the jump bar. Using that saves time. Completely without text entry is probably not so efficient.
Personally I also find note input using a text keyboard also faster and more precise than with a stylo.
I think using a mouse and keyboard allows us to control both note durations and pitches simultaneously. Unless stylus pens offer more intuitive gestures that can capture both aspects in one go, they might not be as efficient. I hope that makes sense!
Maybe I should consider purchasing StaffPad to sketch out the basic ideas of a score, and then import it into Cubase or Dorico for final editing and production. I will be asking same question for Cubase and see what will be answered.
Yes the note entry cannot be done on the staff with the pencil. I generally use the on screen piano keyboard. The pencil works for all menu choices. You can also manipulate notes in the key editor with it and it can also draw curves and change data in the control area at the bottom of the screen.
What would be nice would a button activating an on screen text keyboard at all times which would be able to send shift+ commands. Even with only the shift key missing options and cmd that would already speed up things.