The future of Windows 8 is still on the desktop, says Fujitsu

Windows 8 must work effectively on its core desktop platform despite Microsoft’s recent move into the tablet space, Fujitsu’s chief technology officer has warned.

“The whole industry is excited about tablets, but serious corporations still need desktops,” said Joseph Reger, speaking at the Fujitsu Forum 2012.

“Windows 8 cannot be a tablet proposition only,” he said. “Windows 8 must have a future on the desktop as well. If not, I don’t see how it will be successful at all.”

This announcement was made as the company launched its X Line of desktop products for the enterprise, which run on Windows 8.

The Esprimo PC and Futro thin client run Windows 8 and also offer a height-adjustable frameless 23in full high-definition (HD) touchscreen display.

Fujitsu claimed the displays of the products will swivel and twist to any angle, including folding flat for sharing presentations in meetings. “These mechanics make it usable for Windows 8 touchscreen because it is not natural to touch a desktop,” said Reger.

The Esprimo X desktop features increased security elements, including facial recognition technology which can be set to unlock the desktop. 

Both the Esprimo and the Futro X thin client also feature an ultrasound sensor which detects when a user leaves their desk and switches into sleep mode to save energy.

The company has also released an energy-efficient Display X product, which supports mirroring of smartphone displays. This function will allow users to combine the two devices, while charging the phone’s battery at the same time.

Despite the hardware announcements, Reger said the company intends to increase its cloud and software offerings.

“It makes business sense, but not because hardware margins need beefing up with software – there is a need for a mixture,” he said.

Reger said Fujitsu would be putting a larger focus on services and cloud, but that did not mean it would lose its hardware focus.

“We’re in the cloud implantation phase – there have been capacity problems because there has been so much interest.”