Microsoft partners underwelmed by Windows 8.1

[Gary]

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer promised a flood of touch-enabled devices to fill the market as he previewed Windows 8.1, but is the technology channel raring to snap them up? Not really, it seems.

Redmond's very own bald eagle last night said the "rapid release" upgrade - which comes with a revolutionary Start button - will blend "desktop and modern computing experiences", and the market should expect "literally an outpouring" of touch devices.

But it may be a case of once bitten, twice shy for some in the channel who bought into Microsoft's Win8 launch hype last October and found themselves sitting on a heap of kit that was not moving.

http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2013/06/28/channel_not_excited_by_windows_81/

[zappaDPJ]

revolutionary Start button

OK...

[Glenn]

The users where I work are getting Windows 8 rolled out, the vast majority a pleased with the upgrade from XP to 8. Once the basic short cuts are explained to them, win + I to shutdown, Win + F to search, Win + X for command prompt etc they are happy.

[Technical Ben]

I use a mouse for navigation and action, and a keyboard for typing.
Why? Because I have the choice to. If I'm forced to use keyboard keys, I'll go full Unix/Linux and drop the GUI all together...