The research group IDC is making some predictions for what will happen in 2012 in various industries. ZDNet.com reports that in a new paper called "Worldwide System Infrastructure Software 2012 Top 10 Predictions." IDC has some mixed predictions about how Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system will do once it is released.

The good news is that IDC is predicting that Microsoft will be able to get Windows 8 ready to be put inside new PCs by August 2012. However, it adds, "Windows 8 will be largely irrelevant to the users of traditional PCs, and we expect effectively no upgrade activity from Windows 7 to Windows 8 in that form factor."

And what about the tablet market, which Microsoft is trying to break into via Windows 8's Metro touch screen interface? IDC says that for 2012 the tablet business will be "disappointing" for Microsoft. It adds, "This is a tall order for Microsoft, and while the x86 tablet strategy makes sense as a transitional solution for today’s PC users, it will be the ARM-based devices that need to shine and clear a high bar already set by Apple."

On the other hand, IDC is apparently very optimistic about Microsoft's prospects for Windows Server 8, although the story didn't go into any detail as to why the company is bullish on this aspect of the OS.