In the seven months since launch, Microsoft (MSFT +0.48%) Windows 8 has been off to a sluggish start, with global PC sales plunging in the first quarter. There's some good news, though: IHS DisplayBank estimates that 10% of the 46 million laptops sold in the first quarter were touchscreen models. Consumers thus far have been faced with a tough trade-off between price and the desire for a touchscreen, but adoption may be beginning.
The data undermines the long-standing view that touchscreen laptops quickly lead to arm fatigue, which is the approach that rival Apple (AAPL +1.96%) has taken. Apple may never release a touchscreen MacBook. Search giant Google (GOOG +3.71%) has also bet on touchscreen laptops with its premium Chromebook Pixel.
In the following video, Fool contributor Evan Niu, CFA, wonders whether Microsoft and Google can prove Apple wrong.
