Who uses Windows 8 as primary OS?

[neo1911]

Yup! On all three of my machines!

You need not reply. :p

[PGHammer]

Touch on a 10 inch pad is one thing, moving your hand all over a 15 inch screen is something completely different, especially in laptop mode where you have to hold your hand raised all the time.

on convertibles that are used primarily for browsing and 14 and below, myeah I can see it, to some degree.

Then I take it you've never used a kiosk (or even self-service checkout at any supermarket or other store) as they are *all* based on touch-screens (as are more and more ATMs).

Touch-screens have invaded gambling as well - the *one-armed bandit* saw the invasion of touch-screens around the same time ATMs did. (I was in Las Vegtas in 2005, and saw something that shocked even me - a slot machine that was buttonless. (You read that right - no buttons at all.) The *buttons* had been replaced by a touch panel. What was even more amazing was it still had mechanical reels - in fact, this was a refit - by the OEM - of the original mechanical-reel version of one of their classic slot machines. The company involved - International Gaming Technology (NYSE - IGT) - is far from a newbie to gambling, or to slots - the slot machine in question is "Cleopatra" - a multi-year favorite according to hte readers of "Strictly Slots" magazine. IGT still does such refits and rebuilds, even though the all-touch slot machine is their major staple today. (The same is true of IGT's competition in the gaming and slot businesses.)

With all this talk of the desktop as we have known it not being dead, nobody that has spoken in FAVOR of Windows 8 is claiming any such thing. However, does the desktop have the place of primacy it once did?

Even absent Windows 8, surprisingly, I have to say "No."

Driven by not just smartphones and tablets, but things like ATMs, self-service checkout, kiosks - even touch-screen slot machines and electronically-assisted *table games* in casinos (such as the recently-opened MARYLAND LIVE! casino in Hanover), you're interacting via touch more and more *without* using either keyboard OR mouse.

One thing I don't bring up lightly is one of the more infamous legends - that of King Canute (of the UK). The monarch got so besotted by all the whisperings in his ear (by his court) that he actually thought he could order the sea about - armed with but his voice and a broom. Granted; Canute was indeed well loved by his serfs (not typical for monarchs of his time - esepcially considering that monarchs had a GREAT deal more power then as opposed to today) - however, he discovered that the sea obeys no monarch - not even him.

The question really has to be asked; are we on the side of Microsoft (merely trying to avoid being dashed against the rocks) or are we with poor Canute - but lacking even brooms with which to attempt to sweep back the sea?

[HawkMan]

Then I take it you've never used a kiosk (or even self-service checkout at any supermarket or other store) as they are *all* based on touch-screens (as are more and more ATMs).

Serously, you're comparing a KIOSK to an everyday computer. Sorry but the rest of your post just became meaningless after that.

[contextfree]

So you are saying that somehow every other target I then have to hit becomes as large as the hotcorners?

Most of the new stuff in Windows 8 that might require more mouse movement (or not) also features larger targets. Start screen, settings sidebar, etc.

[Redberry]

When the CP edition was released, Win8 has been my primary OS now and am running the RP now and all is good

- Alot faster

- Metro is easy

- Startup quicker

- Sexy :p

....

[PGHammer]

Serously, you're comparing a KIOSK to an everyday computer. Sorry but the rest of your post just became meaningless after that.

I've been running 8 as primary (if not sole) OS on an *everyday computer* since the Consumer Preview. (Not a tablet or slate, but a desktop.)

The only reason I have Windows 7 installed *at all* is because of two games (only one of which is released - Tera Online) that won't work in the Release Preview - otherwise I wouldn't have bothered.

[contextfree]

I have been for the past few weeks. My opinion on it hasn't really changed: I like it, but I don't think it carries major benefits over Windows 7 when used on a traditional PC, not enough to break through FUD and changing costs for most people. However, it will be a good foundation for Windows 9 which will probably be more popular.