Doug's Mailbag: Windows 8 and Touch -- Redmondmag.com

Barney's Blog

Doug's Mailbag: Windows 8 and Touch

Readers share whether or not they agree with Doug that Windows 8 really does need a touch screen for optimal use:

I don't entirely agree with your assessment of the need for touch screens on the desktop. I find using a mouse with Windows 8 instead of a touch monitor quite satisfying.
In fact, I like to use a mouse on my Surface RT better than like the touch screen. (Maybe that's just me! I hate fingerprints on the screen.) I haven't played with Hyper-V yet but the free VMware Player works well with Windows 8. I did all my testing with Windows 8 CP/RP with the VMware Player.

(And I don't see any problems that are being reported with Hyper-V.) Licensing is a problem but I would not use unlicensed code in a production environment anyway so...

I think the absence of ADS with Windows RT is a two-fold strategy for Microsoft. First, it discourages the enterprise from investing in the Surface instead of going to their favorite Windows OEMs for Windows 8 Pro. Second, if the enterprise wants Windows RT instead, Microsoft can offer the enterprise a whole new set of management tools for the Surface RT.
-Marc

Not sure what the fuss is about. I use Windows 8 all the time without a touch screen and have had no problems. I have also installed Windows 8 on new computers for clients who I thought would say no to it -- again no-one has any issues. The new start screen is fine with a mouse and the desktop is just as they know it. In fact people seem to quite enjoy the new start screen and apps.
-John

I totally disagree, Win8 works fine on a desktop/laptop once you learn how the mouse is used. And also knowing some of the main hotkeys does not hurt either. A touch screen would be nice but is not needed, and articles like this give users a misguided view of Win 8. I personally am upgrading my home desktop and my parents desktop, and think that once they get used to it my parents will like Win 8 better than Win 7. Just like any new OS there is always a learning curve and I think that is what most people do not like.
-'80s Rocker

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Posted by Doug Barney on 12/07/2012 at 1:19 PM

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