Windows 8 Too Big To Fail?

In a good way?

Unlike your typical Apple event, there are very rarely surprises at a Microsoft product launch. Everyone suspected Apple would release a new iPad mini on Tuesday, but the new MacBook, iMac, and Mac mini were surprises.

Compare that to Microsoft's Windows 8 announcement yesterday: the OS had been available for free download for almost a year and reviews of the systems had been online for weeks. This was the first time most of the world got to see a working Surface tablet, but the rest of the Windows 8 launch seemed predictable. My only surprise was that I came away from the event predicting Windows 8's inevitable success.