Traditional personal computers are starting to fade while laptops, ultrabooks and tablets are becoming more prevalent on the market. Along with these changes comes a new operating system from Microsoft. The company has run majority of the computers in the world and the operating system giant is looking into dominating the other side of the coin - running slimmer and portable devices.

The upcoming release of Microsoft's Windows 8.1 signals the company's aggressive efforts on dominating operating systems once more. Most analysts say that the company should step up their game and revolutionize their system to dominate again.

General consensus over Microsoft's announcements on Windows 8.1 says that it is definitely a notch higher than the Windows 8. The Start function is back but users have more liberty to personalize their Start screen. The new settings also allow users to go directly to the desktop. But Microsoft has to hold up its end against Android and Apple if they really want to reign over the market.

Analysts note the following as important hardware and survival tips if Microsoft wants Windows 8.1 to be relevant:

  • A tablet edition - Windows 8.1 functions just right for smaller screens. There is the Lenovo Miix 8 and Acer Iconia W3. However, Acer's tablet has to be a groundbreaking product. Consumers will not readily give up their iPad Minis for an Iconia W3. But it is worth noting, according to CNET:

"The 7.9-inch tablets like the iPad Mini and Galaxy Note 8...[weigh] well under a pound. The W3 weighs 1.10 pounds and its surplus of girth is immediately palpable. That is to say: for an 8.1-inch tablet it feels heavy and is noticeably thicker than either aforementioned tablet."

This is not an impressive start as companies like Asus, Acer, Lenovo, Dell and HP still has to come up a design that can trump the iPad's tablet. Likewise, Windows has to come up with a processor and compact design that can rival the weight of Android devices. There should be more products like HP Android-based SlateBook x2.

  • Surface transformation - the Surface tablet may not have sold much but Microsoft is going in the right track. The sleek, light and affordable approach is one way to get more consumers. Put in a high-resolution screen and fast silicon too.
  • Touch approach - there should be more Windows laptops such as Acer's new Aspire S7. This is a premium-looking ultrabook with long and durable battery life plus efficient performance. A touch approach should make Windows 8.1 more appealing.

If Microsoft can compact all these attributes into one then the journey to computing supremacy should be much easier.