Touch, she added, is going to be a huge boost for laptops and especially ultrabooks.

Patrick Moorhead, an analyst with Moor Insights & Strategy, agreed that Intel has reason to be excited about touch.

"If Microsoft can motivate developers to create high-quality apps, then there is a lot to be excited about," he added. "PC users are very comfortable with touch on phones and tablets and are looking for that on PCs. Ask yourself, 'How many times have you reached up and tried to touch your laptop screen?' "

Touch, said Moorhead, could take some of the intrigue away from tablets and put it squarely on its predecessor, the PC.

However, Zeus Kerravala, an analyst with ZK Ressearch, was doubtful.