IDC: Windows 8 Will Be 'Largely Irrelevant' for PC Users
IDC analysts figure that Windows 8 will see no upgrade activity from Windows 7.
Last week we heard that Windows 8 was rumored to be hitting public beta in late February of next year. We're also expecting to see more of the operating system during Steve Ballmer's keynote address at the annual consumer electronics show in Las Vegas this coming January. However, if IDC is to be believed, PC users will find the next iteration of Windows 'largely irrelevant.'
All About Microsoft author Mary Jo Foley reports that one of IDC's "Worldwide System Infrastructure Software 2012 Top 10 Predictions" was that "Windows 8 Will Launch with Split Success." Explaining the prediction, IDC analysts say that Windows 8 will be largely irrelevant to those with traditional PCs, adding that they "expect effectively no upgrade activity from Windows 7 to Windows 8 in that form factor." As far as tablets are concerned, IDC believes that Microsoft will be too late to the tablet market to make any real impact.
It's not an entirely surprising prediction when you look at how comfortable users are with Windows 7. While the Windows 8's Metro UI smells a lot like Windows Phone 7 and promises a great interface for tablets and PCs with touchscreen displays, Microsoft has said that if you disable Metro, your Windows 8 desktop is going to look and feel a lot like the one in Windows 7. Throw in the fact that, as Foley points out, many businesses have just finished upgrading to Windows 7 from XP/Vista and it doesn't seem like such a crazy prediction. However, even if IDC is right about upgrades from Windows 7, Microsoft is still going ship a lot of copies of the OS with new PCs that sell after the operating system is released, so it's not all bad.
Do you plan on upgrading to Windows 8? Let us know in the comments below!

I will absolutely upgrade from 7.
Maybe W9 will be the Ice Cream Sandwich.
I will absolutely upgrade from 7.
well.. a new os doesnt mean a new interface. whats more important that a new os must be all stabililty, speed, and bla bla bla..
Now where is that "expert analyst payment"?
Maybe W9 will be the Ice Cream Sandwich.
What was the metro interface like once you had gotten used to it? Prefer it over the traditional UI?
that said, ill wait till service pack 1 to either upgrade win 7 to it or to pass on it entirely.
a big point is the smaller footprint, better multithreading support and greater compartmentalisation of the os allowing more updates to be run without the need for restarts and even releasing smaller updates that target specific areas without having to worry about breaking other parts of the system.
Now for the tablet market... it's going to be hard to compete with Adroid but I do think Metro is a step in the right direction.
Aboot time!
On the article topic: Pfff, irrelevant, my a$$! See that marketing of touch-screen AIOs everyone is busy with? Like hell Win8 will be irrelevant! Why do people by iCrap? (Sorry for mentioning Apple in yet another article, but it's a necessary evil) Because it's cool ! Why will people buy AIOs instead of the boring old box they have on/under the table?
(Of course, poor folks had no idea there're good-looking cases out there, such as Corsair, NZXT or Lian Li ones, but companies thrive on people's ignorance, so no surprise here)
vs
Because it's "cool" and "different", and NEVER MIND that extra cash spent on a PC that will do the same thing, it's TEH FUTURE! What do you mean you spent less on a traditional desktop PC that performs better? Mine is ALL IN ONE and that's all that matters and... what do you mean I look like a zombie with my hands stretched towards my screen? Get out of here, you don't understand the innovation behind this thing!
P.S. I understand the mainstream consumer doesn't need more performance for less, but IMO touchscreen AIOs are a stupid waste of money. Get a laptop or get a desktop, or even a tablet, but why, WHY would you use touchscreen on a DESKTOP?! Despite that, many people will "upgrade" to a touchscreen AIO. Because it's "cool". IDC would be right if the "average consumer" wouldn't be a clueless dumba$$.