Microsoft’s (MSFT) attempts to merge desktop and tablet functionalities with Windows 8 have left it with an “awkward” operating system that consumers have been slow to adopt, says Nomura Equity Research analyst Rick Sherlund. Per Barron’s, Sherlund released a new research note this week saying that it will take much more time for Microsoft to fully develop Windows 8 to the point where it can “deliver more compelling form factors and lower prices and a richer ecosystem of developers and apps for the Microsoft store.”

However, Sherlund does think there’s some hope for the second half of 2013 when enterprise users will start getting used to Windows 8 in their offices and will thus be more likely to consider buying Windows 8 devices for their personal use. He also thinks that Microsoft is on track to deliver several important improvements toward the end of the year that will make Windows 8 a much more attractive bargain for consumers going forward.

Among other things, Sherlund believes that prices will “likely come down,” battery life will be “much improved,” “more apps are to be introduced for the Windows 8 store,” and “enterprises will have had more time to pilot and adopt the technology.”