Windows 8 will be commercially and domestically available from Late October. It is a big move forward in speed, efficiency, and new possibilities. But it is VERY different!
Windows 8 [the full version] will probably have a very slow initial take-up within businesses. The interface is so very different that it will confuse users and slow them down. Enterprise will look at the support and training costs as quite a barrier. The change in interface is bigger than the entire accumulated transitions from Win95 through to Win7.
This does not mean Windows 8 is bad … but it might have to permeate the domestic market first. Enterprise [and even SME] may wait until users have been using Windows 8 for a while [maybe 2+ years?] on their home PCs and tablets. The less difference between home and work PCs the better.
By the end of the year new PCs for the home will increasingly ship with Windows 8. Also some will choose to upgrade an existing PC. Businesses will be wise to wait until a good percentage of users are familiar with the total change of interface.
Windows RT [the version running on ARM based tablets] will probably grab a quick slice of the tablet market … but it will not run line of business apps … except for the built-in version of MS Office.
I’d encourage domestic users to embrace Windows 8 early on. Early learners will be valuable at work. Also businesses may want to upgrade or introduce just a few Win 8 PCs 8 to get on the learning curve and to discover if their applications run.
I’m also wondering if third party apps will arise enabling a more traditional look … including the start button. Not sure if that is good or bad. Might be better to accept and learn the new interface from the start.
David Plumley, Integrate Networks
Update … as Microsoft Partners we have just received the full product install images for Windows 8 Pro. Although we have trialled the per-release candidates we can now properly upgrade some of our own PCs so as to bathe in the new environment. In addition we have training in place to make sure are ready for the October roll-out for domestic and business clients.