Microsoft announced that the follow up for Windows Vista, called Windows 7, will be available in 2010. It will support touch screen for support of the applications available in this new Windows version called N-trig DuoSenso Technology. Microsoft was already working some time on the "Surface" computer. A product which makes it possible to use more then one hand to act by moving fingers accross the screen in different directions resulting in for example resizing pictures (like i-phone does).
There is a cool video available which give some idea around this new experience which will be then available on desktops and laptops.
http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:8700c7ff-546f-4e1d-85f7-65659dd1f14f&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo
This new way of communicating with your desktop will give users a different experience of using and displaying any kind of data. This is achieved by working more and more visual.