Let’s be clear, to change some settings, you do have to enter the desktop. I was not aware that was the case beyond some (very specialized) cases. Mainly managing fonts, etc. I am not aware of any case where a person is compelled to use the desktop aside from things the vast majority of people don’t need or want to care about. My final little note is this: I like the fact that there is a desktop. I like the ability to do things with it that I wouldn’t be able to on my iPad or an Android tablet. Most people will not, as evidenced by iPad sales. My guess is most ‘average users’ will not use the desktop on the tablet.

No, I think Office is something folks will care about. Home users, some will definitely. Office has been marginally updated to handle touch better, but Ross in that video didn’t even enable it(why it’s not enabled by default is up for debate). I see desktop as a ‘it’s there if you need that’ proposition. Microsoft never said that the desktop was meant for touch, just that it’s there when/if you need it. I tend to fall in line with their explanations and don’t see it as a compromise just as a nod to the users that will use the desktop(with a mouse most likely). Like you, I’m pumped at the possibility of hybrid devices. I really think a Surface Pro will replace my tablet, desktop, and laptop computers all in one.

You know, these kind of debates about whether the way Windows 8 was designed right or wrong will go on for years. I should also note that I generally agree with this “Other apps will be as well. If you’re going to offer it, it should work. If you’re going to “force” it, it better work.” But I think that it works well enough to include it.