Windows 8 could spark touchscreen laptop movement, Intel says

Much of the talk surrounding the upcoming Windows® 8 operating system from Microsoft® has been about tablet computers. But this shouldn't suggest that the OS won't have significant implications for traditional PCs as well.

In an interview with technology news provider PCWorld, Intel® product manager Anand Kajshmanan and media relations representative Alison Wesley say the OS will be big for PCs and could be instrumental in the emergence of the touchscreen laptop computer.

"We fundamentally believe in the concept of touch, and touch on a clamshell. We believe it's going to take off in 2012 or at least 2013, especially with Windows 8," Intel representatives tell the news provider. "It really feels like now is the right time, now that the hardware and software are working really well together."

Specifically, Intel believes the touchscreen will be a major component of the Ultrabook™ computer. A touchscreen would add another similarity between the lightweight and incredibly portable Ultrabook and the tablet. The former would still boast many of the features that draw users to traditional laptops.

Research firm IHS iSuppli predicts the success of the Ultrabook will be almost immediate. In 2011, the devices accounted for 2 percent of notebook PC sales. This figure will grow to an impressive 13 percent in 2012.