Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) seems poised to make the launch of Windows 10 everything the release of its previous operating system wasn't.
When the company unleashed Windows 8 to the world in October 2012, it was met with a ton of confusion. The OS radically overhauled the traditional Windows interface, and it dropped the traditional start screen and menu. It replaced them with what was then called the "Metro" interface, a tablet-like screen which was optimized for touch-based devices.
The problems were numerous, but perhaps the biggest was that most desktop and laptop PCs did not feature touchscreens. That left millions of users with an OS which was not optimized nor was its use intuitive on the device they owned. Those two factors alone were enough to sink Windows 8.
With Win10, Microsoft is making sure that history does not repeat itself. The new version feels like an evolution of something familiar rather than a radical transformation. The start screen and menu are back, and while some of the best Windows 8 features remain, they are presented in a way that users of older versions of the OS can understand. This should reduce confusion this time around.
To further ease that transition the company showed off a number of new devices built specifically for Windows 10 during a keynote address at the Taipei International Convention Center delivered by Nick Parker, corporate vice president of Microsoft's OEM Division. Parker's speech, parts of which were shared in a blog post, noted that all Windows 8 devices can upgrade for free to the new system before he showed off a number of new devices.
The form factors will be broadSince the launch of its hybrid Surface, Microsoft has been championing computers that go beyond the traditional laptops and desktops traditionally associated with Windows. The new Windows 10 optimized models will include all-in-ones, two-in-one hybrid laptop/tablets, and a wealth of innovative features. The company offered a look at some of the machines during the speech.
The Transformer Book by ASUS. Source: Microsoft
These devices continue a trend which started with Windows 8 where Microsoft's partners work to win customers away from Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Android by offering multiuse devices. These machines are a major departure from the years when the company and its OEM manufacturers mostly conceded interesting design to Apple.
It's about creating something newIn addition to introducing the above Windows 10 versions of form factors created for Windows 8, Parker showed off two new PC form factors:
Both of these devices continue to push the boundaries of what exactly a PC is while giving a new meaning to portable computing.
"Our device partners continue to push the envelope of innovation, developing stunning PCs that are sure to delight customers," said Parker. "And our commitment to broaden the ecosystem opportunity with Windows 10 is revolutionizing how people interact with their devices and create new opportunities for revenue growth."
Quanta's compute plug Source: Microsoft
Gamers will be targetedOne of the more interesting aspects of Windows 10 is that it will also become the operating system for the Xbox One game console. Ultimately (but not at launch) this will allow an unprecedented level of gameplay moving from the console to the PC. Once that happens, devices will be in place to offer a premium experience.
One such device is a new graphics processor unit from NVIDIA "that enables a premium, high-performance gaming experience on Windows 10," according to the blog post. "GeForce GTX 980 Ti sets a new benchmark in gaming performance, delivering an exciting new level of capabilities with three times the performance and three times the memory than previous generations (versus GTX 680)."
The GPU allows users to play the latest games in 4K resolution. It also "supports key DirectX 12 features such as Volume Tiled Resources and Conservative Rasters to enable striking new graphics effects on Windows 10."
Windows 10 won't be Windows 8Unlike the release of its last OS, Microsoft seems to understand the strengths of its new product. While these devices are optimized to make the most of Windows 10, the operating system seems to be developed for the current PC market.
Win8 was built for a total touchscreen world that still has not happened. Win10 will offer a premium experience on a hybrid which switches effortlessly from tablet to PC mode, but will work just fine with no special training on a plain old nontouch laptop. The possibilities for new devices are exciting, but the reality of today's computing environment is also being addressed and embraced.
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Daniel Kline owns shares of Microsoft. He liked Windows 8 but still can't figure out some things in the Metro screen on his non-touch devices. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Source: 3 Surprises From Microsoft's New Windows 10 PCs
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