Though today’s commercial shows a fun and highly usable experience, much criticism has been hurled toward Microsoft’s upcoming operating system, Windows 8. As a tablet interface, the OS does look very well-designed. Add a mouse and keyboard, however, and the UI simply confuses people who have been using Windows for years.
Today, even more worries are being aired over the OS, this time from supply chain vendors in Asia. Business Insider quotes a Topeka Capital analyst as saying suppliers are beginning to worry about the near future of the PC market.
“The sentiment around Windows 8 was overwhelmingly negative during our trip as the supply chain experiencing little life ahead of the October 26 launch,” said the analyst, Brian White.
He goes on to say that he was warned of “idle facilities in December” and that a surge from Windows 8 is not expected until the second half of 2013. His prediction is that the PC market will have a “muted” December quarter and will not see the boost many were expecting from the plethora of new Windows 8 devices.
This could come as a disappointment for both Microsoft and its partners, who have begun to bank heavily on the multi-platform ecosystem the company is trying to establish with Windows 8. HP, Samsung, Dell, and other manufacturers have announced PCs, laptops, ultrabooks, tablets, and laptop/tablet hybrids that will launch alongside Windows 8 on October 26.
