Active. Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 [Microsoft] bet that buyers would find Windows 8 attractive because it was designed as a touch OS, repeatedly describing the radical overhaul as "touch-first." The Redmond, Wash. developer assumed that once customers tried Windows 8 on touch-equipped traditional form factors, like clamshell-style notebooks, they would love the operating system. That thinking led Microsoft months ago to blame Windows 8's sluggish start on too-few touch PCs at launch. [...] But half a year after Reller's finger-pointing and nine months after Windows 8's debut, most customers are taking a pass on touch [...] "The big challenge Microsoft faces is doing whatever it can to make Windows 8 work in a non-touch environment," O'Donnell said. "Ninety percent of the PCs sold this year are not going to have touch." What do you think? Will it pay off in the long run? Is Windows 8.1 enough of a strategy change? Do you agree with the article? http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9241569/Microsoft_s_bet_on_touch_PCs_fails_to_pay_off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Veteran Posted August 12, 2013 Veteran Share Posted August 12, 2013 Sounds like rubbish to me. Most consumers are taking a pass on touch? Tell that to iOS and Android. Had the article said, "Most PC manufacturers can't produce what their customers want anymore" it would have made slightly more sense. I'd say the author doesn't know what they're talking about. I don't use Win 8 any differently than I did Win 7 and there are zero touchscreens in my house. Dot Matrix, nitins60, MightyJordan and 4 others 7 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Norris Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Eh it'll probably get more popular sooner or later. For me it really depends on the system. Tablets are a given obviously, I wouldn't mind having touch on a notebook either. On a "traditional" desktop though, I have zero need or desire for touch, reaching across the desk is just counter-productive, hell half the time I hate reaching for the mouse. I'd say the author doesn't know what they're talking about. I don't use Win 8 any differently than I did Win 7 and there are zero touchscreens in my house.I agree with that. Touch is entirely optional in 8, just like it is with previous versions of Windows. I haven't ever run into a situation where not having touch hindered me using it, and my day-to-day hasn't changed any. Sure, I changed the start screen, but touch has nothing to do with that, and hell I replaced the start menu in 7 and XP too. nitins60, +DonC, hamslammer and 1 other 4 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ESC@PE Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Love my Surface Pro. I fail to see how it was a failure ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Dick Montage Subscriber² Posted August 12, 2013 Subscriber² Share Posted August 12, 2013 "Most users are waiting for their next hardware refresh for touch on their main device" would be my argument. norseman 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aldur82 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 It was the wrong iteration of Windows to introduce such a touch focused UI. This is also an effect of Microsoft not wanting to be caught lagging with 'innovation', so what they've done is innovated for the sake of innovating. If they had waited a couple more years before forcing a UI like Windows 8 on people then it might have come at the right time, but right now touch screen on a desktop machine is just too expensive and also quite expensive on laptops. If they had made the smart move and had the option of using either the touch orientated UI or the 'classic' interface while manufacturers worked on making touch screen laptops/monitors more common place and affordable then they would probably have had more sales of Windows 8. Yes it introduces the need to maintain two UIs which is a lot of overhead, but it's better than trying to force such a fundamental change on people when they still have the very valid option of Windows 7 they can fall back on and losing possible sales because people don't want such a clunky interface on their desktop/laptop. The only time I would consider using a touch interface on a desktop machine would be if it were embedded in a desk so you aren't holding your arms up. Can you imagine having to type even a one page document while holding your arms suspended in the air? Humans just aren't built to work like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mugwump00 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Ah, the false-jeopardy of trash journalism. "Fail" would suggest a shuttering of Redmond, etc. etc. I doubt that will happen soon. Touch-screen PC-computing was an open-goal, why not embrace it? Having a touch-screen seems totally compelling on any non-desktop device now, and even tho I don't have a TS desktop monitor, I won't go back - even Windows 7 seems old-hat now. If MS did/will make a huge mistake, it is to deprecate their own desktop experience. It's going to be around (on desktops!) for decades, some give it some love (which they have done, moderately). More forwards.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacer Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I don't think I'll ever want touch-capable hardware for a desktop set up. Keyboard and mouse is superior in almost every way to touch, especially for the tasks that I perform only on my desktop like typing documents, development, and gaming. I have a phone and a table that both use touch fantastically, and their usability is great. But desktops are not something that would benefit from such controls, at least not for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shannon Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I don't think MS has made a mistake. They needed to expect some losses to get into the game, and I like the direction they are going with unifying the desktop and portable Windows, Windows Phone and Xbox. Problem is, I think what most people are looking for in a Windows touch device is awesome portability that is still productive. That means being able to run full x64 desktop apps, small form factor, good battery life and good performance. There just doesn't exist any hardware to be able to do that, so what MS is trying to do with Windows on the tablet just isn't possible at the moment. Hopefully the Bay Trail release will see some awesome Windows 8 convertibles on the market. I know I'm holding off until then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+xWhiplash Subscriber² Posted August 12, 2013 Subscriber² Share Posted August 12, 2013 I don't think I'll ever want touch-capable hardware for a desktop set up. Keyboard and mouse is superior in almost every way to touch, especially for the tasks that I perform only on my desktop like typing documents, development, and gaming. I have a phone and a table that both use touch fantastically, and their usability is great. But desktops are not something that would benefit from such controls, at least not for me. I agree. Touch does not have the precision that many people need WHILE ON A DESKTOP. There have been many times I have tapped incorrectly, or my gesture would not work and I had to try it 5 more times. I would never use a touch interface on a desktop or a laptop. I use those for productivity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DonC Subscriber² Posted August 12, 2013 Subscriber² Share Posted August 12, 2013 It's far too early to announce the death of touch. I see touch-enabled laptops prevailing at some point in the future as touch hardware gets cheaper and included on a broader range of laptops. There will be no fanfare. There will be no sense of triumph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salutary7 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 It at least failed to be the paradigm shift that some people at Microsoft were hoping for. I think they're great for some segment of the consumers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Anarkii Subscriber² Posted August 12, 2013 Subscriber² Share Posted August 12, 2013 Of course touch for desktops isn't going to take off. What idiot wants to be hunched over their desk swiping away at a screen when a perfectly fine keyboard and mouse does it better with more accuracy?Please note i said desktops, not tablet devices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eternal Tempest Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Of course touch for desktops isn't going to take off. What idiot wants to be hunched over their desk swiping away at a screen when a perfectly fine keyboard and mouse does it better with more accuracy? Please note i said desktops, not tablet devices. This, not many people will like to have there hand's in mid air for long periods of time touching monitor if they have keyboard / mouse reach with less arm strain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganX Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Microsoft is not going to set the world on fire with touch PCs, and will be just another tablet maker, except maybe in the enterprise if they keep improving. Having said that, Modern UI has it's place as long as it, and it's apps are designed appropriately for Desktop & Tablet. Windows 8.1 is looking better. There's hope. But destroying the competition in tablets, not going to happen like that. Microsoft's desktop dominance is what makes them king of the hill. That doesn't quite exist in the mobile space and the Modern UI being so disconnected from the desktop left it stranded to compete against overwhelming odds. Microsoft can still "win" per se, but they have to leverage their installed desktop base better and Windows 8.1 is a step in the right direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cork1958 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Of course touch for desktops isn't going to take off. What idiot wants to be hunched over their desk swiping away at a screen when a perfectly fine keyboard and mouse does it better with more accuracy? Please note i said desktops, not tablet devices. As the title of the story says, "Microsoft's bet on touch PCs fails to pay off" we're talking PC, which are personal computers, which I interpret as desktops? No way in hell anyone wants that crap on a desktop and exactly why I'd agree with the article. Windows 8 is a total flop on desktops due to that fact and the fact of no start button and that stupid start screen! This article is not about the 8.1 update either, so that doesn't count. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloatingFatMan Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Sounds like rubbish to me. Most consumers are taking a pass on touch? Tell that to iOS and Android. Had the article said, "Most PC manufacturers can't produce what their customers want anymore" it would have made slightly more sense. I'd say the author doesn't know what they're talking about. I don't use Win 8 any differently than I did Win 7 and there are zero touchscreens in my house. Touch is the way to go for a mobile computer. For something that sits on your desktop, the only thing touch is good for is arm & shoulder ache, and probably back problems too. THAT was Microsoft's mistake; forcing the touch designed Start Screen onto a desktop environment where it's much less efficient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Method Man Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Touch works great for mobile devices because they are handheld and lack any other interface hardware. Touch on a desktop is just a solution looking for a problem. I don't even sit close enough to my monitor to reach it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Dick Montage Subscriber² Posted August 12, 2013 Subscriber² Share Posted August 12, 2013 It at least failed to be the paradigm shift that some people at Microsoft were hoping for Not at all. MS were hoping this could be the first serious foray into touch-centric UI. And it is. Success! Mugwump00 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dot Matrix Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 As the title of the story says, "Microsoft's bet on touch PCs fails to pay off" we're talking PC, which are personal computers, which I interpret as desktops? No way in hell anyone wants that crap on a desktop and exactly why I'd agree with the article. Windows 8 is a total flop on desktops due to that fact and the fact of no start button and that stupid start screen! This article is not about the 8.1 update either, so that doesn't count. Strange, I'm on a touch screen now, also sitting next to someone using a tablet, which is perched in a desk. Also, PC can be desktops, laptops, and tablets. The Surface Pro is very much a PC. Uour rant against Windows 8 also doesn't help your cause. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetonesun Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I touch my desktop with my mouse. If I can disconnect and then use my finger in the same way, seems like win-win to me. It's not like Touch-UI means poke and prod your monitor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mugwump00 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I touch my desktop with my mouse. If I can disconnect and then use my finger in the same way, seems like win-win to me. It's not like Touch-UI means poke and prod your monitor. This! It's as-if using any Modern app with a desktop-mouse is massively unwieldy and awkward, judging by the comments here. It just isn't! The actual product (versus the interweb jibber-jabber) makes no demands on buying new hardware or reaching-out ape-style to caress a mandatory new monitor. 8.0 soon gives way to 8.1, which is the best desktop Windows yet - true or not? It's very far from "fail". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloatingFatMan Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 This! It's as-if using any Modern app with a desktop-mouse is massively unwieldy and awkward, judging by the comments here. It just isn't! The actual product (versus the interweb jibber-jabber) makes no demands on buying new hardware or reaching-out ape-style to caress a mandatory new monitor. 8.0 soon gives way to 8.1, which is the best desktop Windows yet - true or not? It's very far from "fail". Unwieldy? Well, without using the touch interface, you no longer need huge buttons and sliding screens all over the place. Horizontal scrolling becomes counter intuitive as a mouse wheel is endemically vertical. So yeah, I'd say Metro apps are rather unwieldy when used with a mouse. With touch however, they're just about right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetonesun Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Unwieldy? Well, without using the touch interface, you no longer need huge buttons and sliding screens all over the place. Horizontal scrolling becomes counter intuitive as a mouse wheel is endemically vertical. So yeah, I'd say Metro apps are rather unwieldy when used with a mouse. With touch however, they're just about right. What's wrong with big buttons. Or, I should say, what's better about small ones? Having watched many people use PCs, I would argue that the majority of web UI elements up until recently have been too small. Assuming you're using a track pad, the "mouse wheel" is irrelevant. You could argue that scrolling up/down inducing horizontal movement is strange (which I would agree with), but I believe the majority of PCs sold today are laptops. I don't think tying your UI to a mouse wheel is really necessary anymore. Apple certainly hasn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primexx Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 all my devices are touch-abled now. old tablet pc was Wacom stylus only, but new tablet PC is dual pen/touch, smartphone: touch, tablet: touch, desktop: now with Leap Motion. granted, i'm square in the early adopter category for some things (Leap, tPC), but not in phone or tablets. people will come around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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