i'm "disabled" in that i only have 1 arm/hand.
touch screens are USELESS to me. i can't even use an Android. the 1 arm/hand i got can't even spread out the fingers.
so i rely SOLELY on a mouse.

so i'm worried... will i be able to use 8?

Yes. Don't worry about that. It's not going to be touch screen only.

Have a read through the News forum, and other spots and you'll concur.

Originally Posted by Airbot

Yes. Don't worry about that. It's not going to be touch screen only.

Have a read through the News forum, and other spots and you'll concur.

but my question is, is it an INSTALL option or an option i can turn off if i, say, buy a new laptop with it pre-installed?

If your new laptop has no touchscreen, then the mouse/pad is the interface.

Originally Posted by whs

If your new laptop has no touchscreen, then the mouse/pad is the interface.

but what if ALL new ones have touch screens (as i suppose they will)...

That is very unlikely because it bumps up the cost/price. Laptops are different animals than Tablets - although they may disappear over time as tablets take their place (with docks etc.). But even then there is a place for the mouse. See this: A Mobile Minute with the Motorola Atrix 4G’s Docking Options

Originally Posted by Lordbob75

Why would anyone assume that it would be touchscreen only? Why would you assume that it will be enabled on default?

Most users do not own a touchscreen monitor or tablet, and if Windows 8 came out only with touchscreen, it would never sell.
I am dead certain that default install will be mouse and keyboard (unless it is a touchscreen computer), and that you can switch if you want to (if that is even available at release).

~Lordbob

what i was referring to was, MS seems to dictate the computer industry (like it or not) so if the touch screen gets a good reception, it is VERY likely that all future laptops will be touch screen enabled (when you buy one at best buy or wherever) and whether i would be able to disable it or not... (you answered that question)