Gartner: Windows 8 is a risk, but it could pay off big thanks to mobile devices

Research firm Gartner thinks Windows 8 is a risk but it could bring about new standardization if successful.

Gartner added Microsoft is looking to enter the tablet market and popularize the company’s smartphones, probably referring to Windows Phone 8.

Windows 8 Is Microsoft’s Attempt To Appeal To Mobile Devices

Gartner said Microsoft lost traction in a marker that move from the traditional PC, and notebooks, to mobile devices. Microsoft failed with Windows Mobile to maintain pace with Apple post-iPhone launch in 2007. Windows, until Windows 8, wasn’t focused on tablet devices.

Gartner thinks Microsoft’s strengths with PCs will allow it to enter the tablet market, unlike Apple and Google. Google has done the opposite, building a popular smartphone operating system and then launching Chrome OS. Apple offered Mac OS X before it launched iPods, iPhones, and then iPads.

However the research firm admits company’s are focused on replacing Windows XP with Windows 7. Windows 8 is probably going to be a wait-and-see situation as company’s look at the operating system’s popularity before buying multiple copies. The fact is, also, Windows 7 is a very good operating systems. Business want an platform that works and is proven.

Gartner also thinks Windows 8 represents the beginning of a new area, called the RT area. It explains Microsoft’s eras last for around 20 years so the technology behind Windows 8 is going to last a long time. For Windows 8’s critics that may be the greatest news.