You will no doubt be aware by now that Microsoft has been previewing its next OS – cleverly named Windows 8 (so far). The direction being taken here is obvious – this is an OS for the mobile platform, with its Metro apps and touchscreen enhanced interface. For those of us who do not have a smartphone or a tablet, what will this mean in the years ahead?
For those of us who have Windows 7 on a desktop PC, an upgrade to Windows 8 is unnecessary – little will change from the desktop users point of view, so why upgrade? This OS is aimed at the mobile/tablet user – no question about that. Where does that leave the desktop?
With HP laying off thousands of employees and Dell struggling, could we be seeing the start of the end for the OEM manufacturers – and the desktop PC?
Enterprises will still use desktops for some time yet, but will they start to move towards thin client workstations with programmes etc available via the cloud? As our televisions and media players become more able to access the web, will we still need a desktop PC? In a few years time, you may simply have a tablet that can link to your TV and access everything you need.
Windows 8 tablets will still be PCs of course. And Microsoft will be able to tackle Apple head on if Windows 8 really takes off. Interesting times ahead.
I wonder where this all leaves Linux?
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