Unlike most of my colleagues, my recent Windows 8 experiences have been distinctly non-touch. As it turns out, the only two laptops I’ve reviewed with Microsoft’s new operating system pre-installed both lacked touchscreens: the Sony Vaio E17, and the Toshiba Satellite U845W. Both are what you’d consider “classic” laptops–although the U845W has an unique, extra-wide screen.
Based on these early experiences with two “Windows 8-optimized” laptops, I’m not a fan of the non-touch Windows 8 world.
Tablet or tweener? Does the Microsoft camp’s convergence argument win the day?
Acer Aspire touchscreen ultrabook.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has been clear about tablet-laptop convergence: not interested.
But Microsoft, Intel, Asus, Acer, Lenovo, and a long list of PC makers are. Very.
That would be due to Windows 8 and its touch-centric Metro interface, of course. This is driving PC makers to come up with novel hybrid designs that function as both a tablet and laptop, as was amply demonstrated at Computex this week.
There will basically be two choices offered.
–Products like the Acer Aspire S7 that are ultrabooks with touchscreens.
–And more extreme designs, i.e., true convertibles like the Asus dual-screen Taichi.
I like the idea of an ultrabook with a touchscreen. I mean, why not offer a product with that option? It’s silly not to.
That said, I do see hurdles for the products that take convergence a step further. It’s really hard to completely smash two opposing usage modes together. In that sense, Tim Cook may be right: PC makers will be hard pressed to come up with anything as elegant as the iPad, or as popular.
But getting back to what I like about Windows 8. I’ve had a few chances to use the Samsung Series 7 Slate running early versions of Windows 8. Continue reading
D.S. SENANAYAKE COLLEGE COMPUTER SOCIETY 