"Although Perceptive Pixel currently focuses on larger displays, the touchscreen technology improves Microsoft's position in a range of markets from professional on-wall displays down to handheld tablets," says Matthew Mckee, a tablet and touchscreen analyst with Strategy Analytics. "Microsoft's focus currently is clearly the professional touchscreen segment, an area which we estimate will see tremendous growth over the next several years, especially with Microsoft's mobile OS and Office software."

After the purchase is completed PPI will fall under Microsoft's Office Division, which is also absorbing . A combination of large multi-touch screens and Yammer social collaboration software could create an environment for large groups at one location to work in cooperation with others remotely.

"With Perceptive Pixel's software and hardware, Microsoft has demonstrated their commitment to being a real contender in the hardware space and strengthened their position as a touchscreen manufacturer," Mckee says.

PPI says most of its customers are in government, broadcast, defense, higher education, energy exploration, engineering and product design. For instance, it worked in collaboration with VizRT to touch-enable its animated graphics software Viz Art.

The company, founded in 2006, decided early on to collaborate with Microsoft. All Windows touch-enabled apps run on PPI gear. PPI partners can use its APIs to write their own applications to the platform, according to the .