Windows 8 Devices Could Ship Without a Key Feature

As Microsoft

gears up for the release of its new operating system, PC manufacturers are struggling to build machines that live up to consumer expectations.

According to

, none of the Windows 8-based notebooks shipped in August contain touch screen panels. This is a problem because manufacturers are

"conducting final adjustments and debugging" for laptops that take advantage of the tablet-enhanced features designed for Windows 8. "Microsoft is being extremely careful about the feature and has demanded vendors submit all touch screen panels to it for certification to ensure that quality and responsiveness meet its standards," DigiTimes reported. "The strategy has caused a further squeeze on the supply chain's available production time." Windows 8 is scheduled to be released on October 26. This gives manufacturers less than two months to prepare. Microsoft has yet to announce the price or release date of its own Windows 8-based product, Surface. The highly-anticipated tablet is rumored to sell for

but could

. Some analysts believe that a $199 price point could put

. Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's chief executive, said that he believed Microsoft would

in the coming year. He also believes that Microsoft will produce

in 2013.