The buzz for Windows 8 is all about laptops and tablets but not monitor upgrades
Samsung Series 5 Tablet with keyboard docking (photo Laptop Tech)
Staples began taking pre-orders for new Windows 8 laptops and tablets October 12, 2012.
They will ship 1-3 days after Windows 8 launches on October 26.
However none of the computers offered have a multi-touch monitor to match which means they are essentially worthless as Windows 8 computers.
Windows 8 is all about touching the screen.
Yes you can use a mouse or Windows 8 compatible track pad but that’s not what Windows 8 is all about.
Where to find Windows 8 online
– $39.99 Windows 8 Pro online upgrade
– $14.99 Windows 8 online upgrade for PCs after June 2, 2012
Windows 8 is all about touching the screen
Think of using an iPad or Android Tablet. That’s how Windows 8 works.
You touch the screen to select, swipe and change items.
Without the ability to touch the screen, you might as well stay with Windows 7.
It’s easy to tell if a screen is Windows 8 compatible – the glass will be flat out to the edges with no bezel. That’s because you have to touch and swipe the corners of Windows 8 for some important functions.
I have an Acer T231H touch monitor with a plastic frame around the edge (bezel). It’s not Windows 8 compatible because I can’t touch the corners or swipe the edges. It only has 2 touch points not 10 which is the Windows 8 standard.
New Multi-Touch Windows 8 Monitors
Acer T232HL
Acer announced their Windows 8 monitor announced – the Acer T232HL, which is available on Newegg.com and Amazon.com
It has a flat glass screen with no bezel and supports 10 point touch, the Windows 8 standard.
Other manufacturers such as Viewsonic, Samsung, Dell or HP have yet to announce Windows 8 monitors.
All-in-One Computers
Acer Aspire
Most computer manufacturers have announced Windows 8 All-in-One computers, such as the Acer Aspire.
This All-in-One format was popularized by Apple in the iMac.
Apple was able to prove that you don’t need a bulky computer tower on the floor to have a powerful computer.
There are organizations that use the iMac for intensive applications like Photoshop and Adobe Premiere video editing.
The downside to the All-in-One format is limited upgrade ability.
HP sold several All-in-One models with Windows 7 but they never became popular with consumers. They were over priced and under powered, with none of the sleek desirability of the iMac.
It is hard to predict if people will take to the All-in-One format with Windows 8. There certainly have been plenty of announcements. The new Windows 8 All-in-One computers look nothing like the geeky HP products. Only time will tell if consumers adopt that format for Windows 8.
PC sales are down 8.6 globally leading up to the launch of Windows 8. There may be significant pent-up demand in the market.
Microsoft is rumored (Forbes) to be spending more than $1.5 billion dollars to market Window 8. We will soon find Windows 8 computers in all the stores and the upgrade opportunities irresistible.
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