We are all experiencing the results of the economic “reset”. Companies and consumers are scaling back spending to lower levels despite modest signs of growth. However, we are all recognizing that you cannot simply save your way to success. Costs savings are critical but not enough. In response to this, businesses are emphasizing efficiency which includes trimming costs but also involves increasing productivity and innovation for sustained growth. Microsoft is calling this the New Efficiency.

As mentioned last week by Stephen Rose, Microsoft is hosting a special VIP Business Leadership Roundtable event on September 29, 2009 in San Francisco from 9 to 10:30am Pacific to discuss the New Efficiency and other relevant trends.

Attendees are encouraged to join in on the conversation with our CEO Steve Ballmer and co-host Robert Youngjohns as they discuss major trends in the workplace and the role of technology in driving growth and competitive advantage during this economic reset. Steve and Robert will be joined by a panel of early adopter customers representing key industries like automotive, hospitality, transportation and IT. Attendees will get a close look at how real companies are justifying IT investments across the desktop, server, and network and beyond. The event will be broadcast live over the web and listeners will be able to submit questions to Steve Ballmer and the rest of the panel.

Add the event to your calendar and watch it live here at www.TheNewEfficiency.com.

Things are heating up as we ramp up for Windows 7’s launch on October 22nd!

We have seen a lot of computers that offer touch screen technology. In fact today, we see most of them from the small gadgets such as the iPhone where people can choose between using a stylus or their fingers to navigate to any page or part of their device.

As far as desktops are concerned, there are some that use touch screen technology. A lot of them are used in the malls where interface to allow consumers to get information and know where they are just exactly can be done easily through these designated kiosks. But this is the commercial sector and now it makes you wonder if the same technology would be soon seen to the normal home.

Other than taking out the need for the use of mice and trackballs, the idea of having touch screen monitors does indeed look tempting. Imagine the ease and the techie part of using touch screen technology and you will perhaps be excited to know when it would come to be. While there are some who use add-ons to the current crop of default monitors in the market, there is no actual monitor to date that has been offered to the private consumers. Apparently the issue here is the feasibility of demand and affordability.

Not all people would be willing to spend that much on something that can be done using old style technology. Knowing how sophisticated this may be, these new pieces of computer are sure to cost a fortune. But while we are at it, who knows when some generic brand may come out? Similar to new technology, they are bound to come out expensive at first but cheaper when other manufacturers come out with their own brands.

Another Mac vs PC add, this one mentioning people going back to XP, or having to buy new peripherals. They are certainly seeming more hypocritical with Leopard having so many issues.