Microsoft, sacrifice the desktop  

“Microsoft’s "no compromise” approach doesn’t work well on Windows RT if you’re thrown into the desktop mode, or you use an optional keyboard and expect the operating system to support traditional third-party desktop apps. Its presence explains the growing number of tablet hybrids that we’ve seen emerge over the past few months, with the majority of manufacturers opting to offer a keyboard attachment for tablet devices. It even explains why Microsoft focused on showing off its Touch and Type keyboard accessories for its Surface and Surface Pro tablets.“

I echo Tom’s sentiments on this one. The desktop just doesn’t make sense if Microsoft is developing a separate version of Windows for ARM devices, and intends on keeping users in the Metro interface (and only allowing most applications to run there). It’s just a distraction.

By including both, the company creates a confusing experience for the user that isn’t consistent at all. Nobody wants to be thrown out of a touch-friendly interface into something that can only be considered dated and irrelevant. Despite what anyone may tell you, it’s actually not that easy to avoid the desktop in Windows RT (and oddly, Office for Windows RT saves files to the legacy desktop by default), and it doesn’t enhance the experience in any way.

Even worse, as Tom mentions, vendors know this is true; literally every single ARM device including a physical keyboard and mouse variant. It’s not just because of a "great new form factor” introduced by the Surface. It’s because it just doesn’t work quite right.

Microsoft is simplifying everything with this brand transformation they’re going through, it’s time to finish the job.