Power user here. I do this as well and use Alt-Tab to switch between the windows. I tend to prefer lower resolution screens as well (typing this on a 1280x800 s

Power user here. I do this as well and use Alt-Tab to switch between the windows. I tend to prefer lower resolution screens as well (typing this on a 1280x800 screen on Windows 8 Pro). Windows 8 and ironically Metro are actually very keyboard friendly. I can imagine if I get hold of a surface pro unit, I'll probably be entirely happy with a touch screen, keyboard and stylus and do away with the mouse.