Windows 8 'Bad' on a Desktop PC: Analyst

Microsoft last week finally revealed the official release date for its upcoming Windows 8 operating system (OS): Friday, October 26, 2012. Unfortunately, few technology insiders or consumers appear excited about the product's launch.

Now, one of the industry's most prominent analyst firms has referred to the desktop version of Windows 8 with one, ugly word: "Bad".

Gartner Research Director Gunnar Berger recently tested Windows 8 and produced a five-part review.

Windows 8 Great on Touchscreens

Berger's findings: when used on touchscreen devices like smartphones, tablet computers, and all-in-one touchscreen PCs, Windows 8 is a solid OS.

He was also impressed with the new operating system's "crazy fast" boot time, along with its aesthetically-appealing and easy-to-navigate Metro interface. (Source: zdnet.com)

However, Berger indicated that if you're not using Windows 8 on a touchscreen device, the upgrade from Windows 7 or even Windows Vista may not be worthwhile.

To the question in his review, "What is the experience like on Windows 8 when the end point isn't touch enabled?", Berger simply answered: "In a word: Bad."

Windows 8 Faceplants With Mouse and Keyboard

Berger suggested the Windows 8 interface simply isn't easy to use when controlled by a mouse and keyboard. His review states that navigation tools, easy to find and use with a touchscreen, were "hidden off screen...when using a mouse." (Source: theregister.co.uk)

"Prior to this incident, I can't tell you the last time I had to ask someone how to do something in a client OS," Berger added.

Gartner's lead analyst also indicated that Windows 8's remote access features are difficult to use, largely because of difficulties with the new Metro interface.

Overall, Berger isn't ready to recommend Windows 8 to people who plan to install it on a conventional desktop PC.

"Unfortunately, my area of expertise is enterprise desktops, and those desktops have a keyboard and a mouse; and as much as this doesn't make any sense, it seems to me that Microsoft forgot about this when they designed Windows 8." (Source: theregister.co.uk)