Frankly I don't see much use for touch screens in desktop computers, except for kiosk like interfaces. For a daily usage routine it's not even practical or comfortable because of the way a screen is positioned on our desks. Works on movies, but not in real-life usage and I guess laptops face the same problem.
Other formats do a better job at making good use of touch screens. Just can't see any benefit for desktops and laptops/netbooks. Still, this is pretty much Microsoft showing they are finally (about bloody time) coming with a satisfactory TS interface. But this inclusion in Windows 8 for desktops will be just a curiosity for the vast majority. The real target is Windows Phone 8.
I appreciate the fact they include it with the desktop version though:
1. It reveals a tendency to unify mobile devices with desktop devices in the Windows ecosystem that may create good and interesting opportunities for hardware and software makers and consumers alike. Especially interesting when seen in the light of Microsoft push to support ARM on the desktop. There's a real opportunity for the most integrated OS ecosystem in existence.
2. Futurology aside, a most immediate benefit will certainly be a better development environment for anyone wanting to develop for Windows Phone 8 (for cellphones or tablets). Since the TS infrastructure will be all in-place with the desktop version of the operating system (and supported by .Net), any emulation needs only concern itself with the hardware specs, not the presentation which will be guaranteed.
