For example, Microsoft has released its , which works like a normal mouse, but has a touch-sensitive surface that will support Windows 8 multitouch gestures. The is similarly touch-sensitive, but it's tiny and portable. Since the Wedge Touch works with Bluetooth, it is ready for the coming generation of Windows 8 tablets.

Logitech's 5-inch wireless touchpad fully supports multitouch gestures, and should work with Windows 8 gesture recognition. Large touch surfaces have the potential to emulate the way touch displays work, and can serve as a viable substitute.

On the speculative side, I'd love to see a touch-enabled mousepad, but designers must overcome some obvious technical challenges first, such giving the mousepad the ability to detect when the user is wielding it as a mouse and when the user is employing multiple finger gestures.

Your laptop died. Your desktop PC is on its last legs, as the tell-take grinding sound of the hard drive indicates. How do you proceed if you have no alternative but to buy a new PC today? The relevant considerations differ, depending on whether you need a laptop or a desktop.