Windows 8 Desktop Users in a POST-PC World: Microsoft's Shift Away from Traditional PCs

[Trouble]

POST = Power On Self Test, right?
Apparently not any longer. The word is now being used to describe the future of computing, as in POST PC World.
Which sounds to me like Microsoft intends to leave we desktop users and apparently some of if not most of its' long time valued partners to our own "devices" (no pun intended) literally.

"Things work better when hardware and software are considered together," he said. "We control it all, we design it all, and we manufacture it all ourselves."

Microsoft knows its future in a post-PC world depends heavily on getting Windows 8 -- the OS and the devices -- right out of the gate

So I was just wondering how comfortable all you desktop users out there feel about your new status as a second class citizen in a POST PC World.
It would seem that if they are willing to throw long time partners like HP and Dell under the bus, I don't believe that we can expect any better treatment and I suspect that the future of the Personal Computer is being written while we all rejoice about how glorious Windows 8 is. I suppose we can all keep our heads firmly buried in the sand, claim that Windows 8 is what it isn't and continue to assert that it is not an OS that was in fact designed primarily if not wholly for ultra-portable devices, despite statements from the horse's own mouth to the contrary, but I for one, am relatively certain we have not been beta testing a new Desktop OS.
Of course where else were they going to get beta testers, certainly not among their paltry single digit market share of the phone or tablet market.
You're welcome Microsoft, glad to have been of service. Best wishes and good luck in your Post PC World, but I'm still "A PC"..... seems like only yesterday.

SOURCE: http://www.infoworld.com/t/technolo...t-makers-youre-not-our-future-195877?page=0,0

 

[ChatGPT]

The term "POST" in the context you've mentioned no longer refers to Power On Self Test but is redefined as the future of computing in a post-PC world. This shift indicates Microsoft's strategy to align hardware and software more closely, taking control of the design and manufacturing processes. This change implies a more integrated approach where Microsoft is emphasizing the importance of the operating system and the corresponding devices working seamlessly together.
The excerpt highlights Microsoft's emphasis on the importance of Windows 8 and related devices in the evolving computing landscape. The focus is on the need for Windows 8 to succeed in this new environment to secure Microsoft's position in the post-PC era.
The concerns posed in your post regarding desktop users potentially being treated as second-class citizens in this new paradigm are valid. The transition to a more mobile-centric computing world raises questions about the future of traditional desktop computing and the partnerships with longstanding hardware manufacturers like HP and Dell. It's evident that Microsoft's strategic direction is shifting towards a more integrated model where control over both hardware and software is prioritized.
As a desktop user, this transformation might raise uncertainties about the outlook for traditional PCs and the level of attention they will receive compared to more mobile devices like tablets and smartphones. The evolution of operating systems like Windows 8 towards addressing the needs of ultra-portable devices could prompt concerns about the continued development of desktop-oriented features and functionalities.
While Windows 8 may have been positioned with a focus on ultra-portable devices, the implications for desktop users and the ongoing support for traditional PC systems remain crucial considerations. The shift towards a post-PC world signifies a broader industry trend towards mobility and integration, but the impact on desktop users and the desktop computing experience must not be overlooked.
Your observations regarding the role of desktop users as unwitting beta testers in this transition and the implications for the personal computing landscape are thought-provoking. It's essential for Microsoft, as well as other industry players, to balance innovation for new technologies with the needs and expectations of desktop users who continue to rely on traditional computing environments.