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Topic: Windows 8

Windows 8 acceptance levels 'still not good', says Asus

Summary: Windows 8 has yet to lift off, according to PC market fifth-place holder Asus, while Samsung has canceled a launch in Germany altogether, citing lack of interest in the platform.

Zack Whittaker

By for Between the Lines |

There's little love in the air for Windows 8 on at least two fronts, as Asus warns of poor uptake for the operating system and Samsung cancels a tablet launch in the profitable German market citing a lack of interest in the tablet-only version.

w8-hw-asus-vivotab-smart-620x425
Windows 8 running on a Asus convertible (Credit: Asus)

On Tuesday, Asus reported a boost in revenue during 2012's fourth quarter, growing by 14 percent year-on-year to around $4 billion, with net profit up by 21 percent to $202 million.

As one of the champions to Windows 8 in recent quarters, the company has invested millions into developing new devices to take full advantage of the array of features in the next-generation software. But the company said while its Windows 8-powered notebooks have been selling well, Windows 8 sales have yet to lift off, close to six months after it first launched.

"The acceptance of Windows 8 in Q4 has not been so good, but touch-based Windows 8 notebook acceptance is pretty good on our side," Asus chief executive Jerry Shen said on the call.

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Asus shipped 3 million tablets during the fourth quarter, which includes the lucrative December holiday season, an increase from initial projections of 2.4 million units. Its tablet unit was boosted thanks to the highly popular Nexus 7 tablet, which the company developed in co-operation with Google.

All in all, 95 percent of Asus' tablets ran Android, with less than 5 percent running a Windows-based version. "At this moment, for last year and this year, I believe Windows RT needs to take time to ramp up," said Chen.

Asus has been particularly upbeat about Windows 8 over the past few months. In the run up to Windows 8's launch in October, the Taiwanese company had prepared a bevy of devices — from touch screens, convertibles, and "transformer" devices where a keyboard can click to the device — in a bid to take full advantage of the operating system.

Seemingly going full-force into the Windows space, an Asus executive recently dropped hints that the company was "interested" in pursuing developing a Windows Phone.

Many still remain confused as to what Windows RT actually is and do not know the difference between the 'desktop' (and tablet) version Windows 8 and the ARM-based version, Windows RT, that runs on lower-power tablets only. 

It comes at a time when PC sales remain sluggish and analysts believe the PC market will continue to decline for a second year in a row.

Other major technology companies are less than thrilled with the lack of Windows 8's success.

Samsung has reportedly confirmed to German technology news site Heise that it no longer plans to offer the Windows RT-based ATIV Tab device in Germany and "other European countries," though other regions were not specified. 

Topic: Windows 8

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  • Don't twist facts - click bait article.

    "... touch-based Windows 8 notebook acceptance is pretty good on our side"

    So what does that mean? Zack, don't screw facts to throw mud, that will make you look like a total moron aka SJVN.
    Owlll1net
    Reply 6 Votes

    • Or it could be acceptence of ASUS non-touch computers not that great.

      If the hardware you have in place is working just fine, why would anyone upgrade?

      If you notice they're really not manking great breakthroughs on the hardware side of late in terms of speed of CPU, Memory, SATA, ect, so people have less of a need to upgrade an entire system.

      Touch screen computers on the other hand, that alone is a reason to upgrade
      William Farrel
      Reply 10 Votes

      • This seems to be it

        On a touch PC "Windows 8 notebook acceptance is pretty good on our side."

        My personal experiences with an upgraded laptop and desktop and a new touch ultrabook mirrors this: while the Modern App catalog still needs some work, from an OS experience W8 is the best touch platform around, cleaning iOS's clock quite handily. However, with mouse input, it is just okay, and certainly not better (and in many ways worse) than W7.

        What this means is that, even those of us using desktop machines in the office, for instance, will want a touch monitor on our desks. This has the potential to be very good for TV makers!
        x I'm tc
        Reply 4 Votes

        • I have to strongly disagree

          I have been using Windows 8 with a mouse and I personally find it much better than Windows 7. I can get to what I need faster in almost all cases (thank you pinning to Start!).

          The people who are whining about Windows 8, I feel haven't taken the time to actually use the operating system on an extended basis.
          Lerianis10
          Reply Vote

          • Because that's exactly what I want...

            ... An operating system that isn't immediately intuitive right from the moment I pick it up... No let me spend two weeks with it before I get comfortable. What?!
            Playdrv4me
            Reply 2 Votes

          • that's odd...

            I've been using 2 windows 8 laptops for a few weeks now (well, one is a Dell XPS 12 convertible, and the other a non-touch lenovo). And I can honestly say navigating W7 is still quicker for me that W8 on the non-touch laptop.

            As for 'pinning to start', that feature was also on W7, so I fail to see why you even mentioned it.

            W8 on my XPS 12 Duo is a different story, and I do like some of the navigation features. But I still don't understand why M$ tried to force the 'artist formally known as Metro' on us. Why not just make everyone happy and let us choose between the tile GUI and the old style start menu that a lot of us know and love.
            We shouldn't have to install 3rd party apps to restore features that M$ saw fit to remove.
            mskiproductions
            Reply 1 Vote

          • I think we're talking chalk and cheese?????

            @mskiproductions Have you 'pinned anything to start'? It doesn't sound like it from here. If so you'll see it presents an icon on the main W8interface.. I don't remember seeing that in Win7. PIN what you want and it's available on the first screen; what is the problem with doing that. Boot up or return to 'start' and select an icon, Drop your favourite web pages there too. It's brilliantly simple as far as I can see.
            johnmckay
            Reply Vote

          • Lerianis10, the Metro UI looks like a kindergarten blocks game.

            I can not stand the design of Metro. The Microsoft "usability experts" decided that big blocks of contrasting colors and loads of space around text, plus a lack of adornment, would somehow produce happy, productive users. Perhaps I could become productive if I wanted to devote the time to overcoming my revulsion to the UI, but I have no interest in even trying. Metro.....Barf.
            miles_lane
            Reply Vote

          • Go have another look at it...

            I'd agree it doesn't look useful till you configure it yourself. Just PIN the apps you use, or folders you access and they are right there in front of you. As for finding programs; the search button worked in Win7 and it works here, then PIN or don't. I don't think you've spent more than a few minutes in front of it. I upgraded and had to make changes, a few weeks ago. Wouldn't go back now.
            johnmckay
            Reply Vote

          • Hyperbole!

            Yeah, let's blame the customers for the lackluster Windows 8 adaption rate. it's all our fault.

            There is nothing that Windows 8 does quicker than Windows 7. For productivity tasks, multiple windows trumps one window anyday. Furthermore, reaching to touch and swipe everytime you want to do something is far slower than a mouse. That's still true today, unless you are using a tablet smaller than 10".
            terminatahx
            Reply Vote

          • Absolutely agree...

            I was using a virtual version for a week then took the plunge.. spent 10 minutes wondering how to power-off plus a few basics. Considering all the moaning and whining about the 'start' button years ago, they remove it and all the moaners start again (the now need it).

            I'd just say get over it, PIN your main programs to the Start; arrange key shortcuts in folders and PIN them to the start screen; PIN the control panel, PIN My computer. You wont lose anything and it's way quicker (mine boots from power on to desktop in 12 seconds now). Add in the Roaming Profile option of you using the same settings wherever you are and this is looking great.

            All the whiners...... 'quit your whining'. Move on, or stick with XP/Win7 and be happy, like me.
            johnmckay
            Reply Vote

        • Touch Monitor On Desk

          No doubt we'll be seeing these in the future. Doesn't mean it's a good idea. Who wants fingerprints on their monitor? What if you're using a 27" monitor? To sit that close would be hard. Using mouse and keyboard on the desktop will always be easier. I can sit a solid 3 feet from my 27" monitor, see everything at a glance and still have pinpoint control over everything.
          Maha888
          Reply Vote

          • Touch and epic fail on large monitors

            Well said! I have a 27" IPS Ymakasi monitor and I LOVE IT. Even if there was a touch version, I would NEVER think of saturating my display with fingerprints for the simple joy of swiping through a linear panel of "apps". Straight retarded.
            terminatahx
            Reply Vote

          • Kinect will be it!

            When they adapt Kinect so you can "touch without touching" then that will be great... otherwise, besides on a small screen like a phone or tablet don't ask me to put fingerprints on my screens...

            Unless they can invent a screen that will not keep fingerprints!
            lepoete73
            Reply Vote

      • PC manufacturers should listen to what Linus says

        From today's SJVN article: Torvalds concluded: "One thing that the Chromebook Pixel really brings home is how crap normal laptops have become. Why do PC manufacturers even bother any more? No wonder the PC business isn't doing well, when they stick to just churning out more crappy stuff and think that "full HD" (aka 1080p) is somehow the epitome of greatness."

        Samsung Windows 8 tablet that I've seen is nothing to write home about: plasticky, bendy, ports are covered with little fiddly pieces that fall off, the screen is low contrast and low res. Yet they ask more for it than Apple asks for retina iPad.

        The OS is fine. Start making good hardware and the buyers will come. If you don't believe it, ask Lenovo.
        Earthling2
        Reply 5 Votes

      • That's not entirely true

        I know more than a few people still on first gen xp Boxes these are not computer builders but retail buyers that are still using 184 pin sata I, and its not that it works so they are happy these boxes are barely working but they don't know any better then want to save money time and hassle of losing all there stuff (hence windows easy transfer that no one knows about) They have I phones and Pads for working(checking e-mail, face book twiter adn a bevy of games.) but there main machine is a relec sitting in a corner working on It (whining of why its so slow) and forgetting about it as they. This is the reason the PC is dying not cause the Tablet is better (its not you can not do real work with it you can try to force it but that is all your doing forcing somethign to be something is not the laptop is the best thing and you need ports and real storage not cloud crap you need real for now and cloud for safety and sync)but because People don't know they can upgrade the PC sellers sell you labled boxes and thats it, People don't ready or do there homework on a PC upgrade the cpu not likely upgrade a hard drive or cd rom drive very unlikely upgrade the ram they can do that but ram will not solve the real problem but they have been told ram will cure everything. The PC is not dead nor will it die it might change but not today we will always need a keyboard just look at star trek you have the computer but its so much faster to shut-up and type.
        medric
        Reply Vote

      • You're spot on

        There was a time when a new automobile was purchased evey 3 years on average...now it like 7 years. The same thing has happened to PC's.

        ZDNet likes to use the term "Post-PC" which is total non-sense.

        We are NOT in a Post-PC era...consumer are just not upgrading as often.
        MustangGTX
        Reply 7 Votes

        • post PC

          The reason why we are not "post PC" is that tablets and smartphones ARE personal computers. Just more portable. Therefore, we are still in the PC (Personal Computer) era.

          It can be even argued, that because tablets and smartphones are more personal than laptops and desktops, we might be just entering the PC (Personal Computer) era.

          As one should know from the theory of relativity... it all depends of your viewpoint.
          danbi
          Reply 4 Votes

    • The biggest moron around here.....

      is you.

      ""The acceptance of Windows 8 in Q4 has not been so good, but touch-based Windows 8 notebook acceptance is pretty good on our side," Asus chief executive Jerry Shen said"

      What part of "not been so good" did you not understand?

      What did you say about "screw(ing) facts"?

      Idiot AND moron.
      D.T.Long
      Reply 2 Votes

      • Perhaps if you look at the rest of the quote -

        The acceptance of Windows 8 in Q4 has not been so good, but touch-based Windows 8 notebook acceptance is pretty good on our side," Asus chief executive Jerry Shen said on the call

        While they claim Win 8 adoption overall is not so good, the Win 8 notebooks they sell are well received.

        Strip quotes do get confusing. Perhaps looking in the Idiot AND moron mirror is appropriate
        Cynical99
        Reply 7 Votes
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