5 Things That Could Sink Windows 8

The Windows 8 launching is finally upon us , and I secure you there are a lot of unquiet the great unwashed in Redmond right now . How could they not be ? You ’re about to set in motion a new version of your operating system that is such a radical departure from what PC users have come to await that it should be called Windows We Hope You ’re quick for Something Really Different . Sheer inertia is certainly a concern . After all , the Live Tiles , panoramic Modern - style user interface and new tools like the Charms menu all command a learning curve .

But that ’s not the biggest challenge Microsoft face . These are .

1. Hardware Is Too Pricey

One of the grownup cause Ultrabooks have n’t sold as well as Intel and its partners await is that prices have n’t amount down fast enough . you may finally find some in the $ 699 range , but that ’s still about $ 200 more than the typical budget laptop .

Now , shoppers will be asked to pony up $ 1,100 to $ 1,200 to love touch - free-base convertibles like the LenovoIdeaPad Yoga , Sony VAIO Duo 11andDell XPS 12 . Intel shared with us recently that its own studies show that consumer are willing to pay $ 150 to $ 200 more for touch , but I ’m not certain that will fly in a down economy and a holiday time of year command by the bum iPad mini , Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 .

Windows RT gadget likeMicrosoft ’s Surfaceare more affordable at $ 499 , the same as the iPad . But opting for the Touch Cover keyboard ( the accouterment being vaunt in Microsoft ’s ads ) brings the price to $ 599 .

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Windows 8 - powered hybrid like the $ 749 Acer Iconia W510 ( with keyboard ) and Samsung Ativ Smart PC 500 T ( I trust I ’m not making that name up ) do n’t have the same sexy industrial excogitation as the Surface , but their Atom processors make these gimmick more various because users can run traditional desktop apps . you may get the W510 without a keyboard for a fairish $ 499 .

[ MORE : Top 10 Windows 8 Hybrids ]

2. Windows 8 vs. Windows RT Confusion

Shoppers will have a tough meter evidence the difference between the two flavors of new Windows devices on shelves this holiday time of year , because they both boast the same slick hot Tile user interface . But there is a vast difference between the two platform .

In a nutshell , Windows 8 microcomputer can run any app downloaded from the Windows Store as well as all desktop applications . Windows RT tablets and crossbreed ( powered by ARM central processing unit ) will be limited to Windows Store apps and Microsoft’sOffice 2013 , even though you ’ll still be able-bodied to get to the desktop for things like transfer files off a USB drive .

go like a jolly uncomplicated delineation , but asThe Vergeproved with some undercover testing , Microsoft ’s own store employee do n’t have it away the remainder between the two operating organisation . Microsoft responded to this eye - open story by enjoin that all of its sale reps will obtain 15 hours of education before launching . The clock is tick .

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[ MORE:8 Windows 8 Annoyances and How to Fix Them ]

3. Not Enough Apps

At last count there were almost 3,500 apps in the Windows Store . And while there are a smattering of compelling option so far , there are a lot more holes in Microsoft ’s lineup than I would expect at this previous leg . Where is Facebook ? Twitter ? YouTube ? Dropbox ? “ Angry Birds ” ?

The serious news show : Microsoft will bring out plenty of in high spirits - profile apps either at the launching of its group O or in short thereafter , hopefully fulfil in a fair telephone number of these yap . But I still have serious business concern about the comprehensiveness of options that will be useable . After all , Apple has 250,000 apps just for the iPad , thanks to its immense head start .

Microsoft also needs to shew that Windows 8 is a viable play political program and not just rest on the Xbox name , as it has done with Windows Phone . Shoppers demand to see cabinet - quality centre candy along with casual menu . I ’m further by the fact that the Unreal Engine III has been port to Windows 8 , however , which should serve leave to “ Infinity Blade”-style titles in the Windows Store . title base on the Unity engine will come after launch .

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[ MORE : Top 20 window 8 Apps ]

4. Crappy Touchpads

certain , Windows 8 works best with hint , but the sweet spot for most shoppers right now is $ 500 grapple designs that rely on touchpads . Based on old experience , I ’m very worried that these pointing devices wo n’t have the smooth gesture support that will add up to a full user experience . On a lot of pre - production sample I ’ve tried the touchpad did n’t always respond when I pinch in from the left to switch apps . And most of them did n’t support the motion to move in from the left and quickly back to the rightfield to see all of your open apps .

If notebook computer vendors ca n’t make nip - to- zoom piece of work well or two - finger scrolling , they ’ll have an even punishing time getting Windows 8 gestures to work out faithfully . I ’m really hoping Synaptics , Microsoft and OEMs get it good , but it will belike take a while .

[ MORE : Crappy Touchpads Could Kill the Ultrabook ]

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5. Macs on the Rise

Microsoft should n’t just be concerned about the iPad and iPad mini . It should take note that Apple is now No . 1 in notebook cut-rate sale in the U.S. The 13 - inch MacBook Pro is consistently the top seller at retail , and all you necessitate to do is peep inside any coffee store to see a ocean of MacBook Airs . I ’ve enjoin this before , but Mountain Lion could prove more attractive to those count for a more traditional operating organisation this vacation , especially for those who own other Apple gadget and like the idea of having iCloud keeping everything in sync .

[ MORE:10 Reasons to Drop Windows for Mountain Lion ]

Bottom Line

Microsoft is reportedly spending $ 1.5 billion to launch and promote Windows 8 , and the company has never been under more pressure to verify that shopper get the substance . But what is that message ? Is it that you may have your patty and eat it too with a Windows 8 personal computer that move mobile and “ bequest ” apps ? That you could get all - day battery life history , iPad - comparable portability and Office productivity with a Windows RT twist ? It ’s actually all of the above , which is a big part of the challenge .

Although having a hero machine help , Windows 8 will succeed or give out not based on how well the Surface fares . Just as with every other Windows launch , Microsoft will once again bank on an ecosystem of app developers and computer hardware Godhead to make its software sing . All of the above five obstacles are not insurmountable , but they ’re very tangible .

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