Did Microsoft just kill RT?

[anon(7822905)]

What do you guys think? No more RT or a mini? Or just not its time to be announced? Let me know your thoughts!!!

 

[Jack Janik]

I really love my Surface RT, but with cheap Windows 8 tablets out, what's the point..?

 

[drbanks]

I really doubt it. If nothing else, RT lives on as the Phone OS. I mean, 8.1 really did merge it into the RT space, big time.

 

[nmercy]

I think we'll see RT in the phone/RT merger and it will be used for devices 8 inches or less. I think from their long term plans, now was not the time to announce/release the Surface Mini, however in terms of marketing time and market share factor, now was the time to announce it.

Also the mini has to fall in cheaper than current small Windows tablets on the market.

 

[kurtd]

I was hoping for a mini. Really don't need desktop apps. Store apps are great.

Since the RT versions use a mobile processor, they use less battery power, are thinner and lighter etc. Considering the Surface 2 with LTE was just released, I don't think they killed it. That one competes with the ipad where as the Pros compete with laptops.

 

[anon(7822905)]

That's the thing. Because when the Surface Pro 2 and Surface 2 was announced they stated that they were not throwing away RT and the fact that they did hint a mini version in the future. So IDK well see. If anything the holidays would be a time to announce it because that matches the other past announcements

 

[Keith Wallace]

I sure hope they did. RT was a horrid idea from the start. An Atom-based Intel tablet could basically do everything the RT devices did, while not sacrificing the legacy software support. RT never had a good market to fit into because it lacked the software support (read: apps) to compete with the iOS and Android ARM stuff, while Windows 8's x86 stuff cut the RT concept's legs off before it got a chance.

 

[WillysJeepMan]

What do you guys think? No more RT or a mini? Or just not its time to be announced? Let me know your thoughts!!!

No, Microsoft did NOT kill the Surface RT/2. The mini was never an actual product, and probably won't be as long as there is an RT version of the Surface.

 

[anon(7822905)]

I sure hope they did. RT was a horrid idea from the start. An Atom-based Intel tablet could basically do everything the RT devices did, while not sacrificing the legacy software support. RT never had a good market to fit into because it lacked the software support (read: apps) to compete with the iOS and Android ARM stuff, while Windows 8's x86 stuff cut the RT concept's legs off before it got a chance.

I would really rather pay $450 for a tablet that can't download Desktop apps than $800-$900 for one that can. You could find laptops cheaper than that. And considering the cheapest for the Pro 3 is $800!!!?? BS and the fact that Office 13 modern UI and File manager is in the works at MS.

 

[anon(7822905)]

@Keith. And the fact that the first Pro is still going around on Ebay and Craigslist for $500-800 still!!! Rip off RT lives on.

 

[drbanks]

I'm actually rather sanguine about RT, but the fact that I've yet to buy an RT tablet (unless my two 1520s count), I guess I've voted with my dollars.

 

[nmercy]

I will say, unless you need a specific desktop application, the RT version will meet most people's needs almost 100%. The only things I can't do on my Surface 2, that I still have to go back to my laptop for are development tasks and some gaming.

As a consumption device, it pretty much has everything. I can surf the web, watch Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and pretty much any other video people throw out there, play quite a few games with more coming in everyday, work on Office documents, keep track of my finances, and even remote in to work if needed.

When my Surface 2 broke, I was actually quite sad to have to use my laptop for consumption type things and was actually not doing things I would normally do (like check comics in the morning) rather than using my laptop. I hadn't realized the convenience factor until it was gone.

I would venture to say that for most people, an RT version would meet almost all, if not all their needs.

 

[drbanks]

Here's a reason for RT:

My mom.

I'm tired of doing support for my family. From now on, all my recommendations to my mom will be walled-garden devices like the iPad or RT. Something with a fairly substantial security model, which excludes Windows 8 Pro and Android right off the bat. I want something that'll keep her out of trouble.

Turning a full Windows or Linux system over to a computer illiterate is like handing the keys to an F-16 to someone who just got to solo in a Cessna 152. A danger to self and others.

 

[anon(7822905)]

I will say, unless you need a specific desktop application, the RT version will meet most people's needs almost 100%. The only things I can't do on my Surface 2, that I still have to go back to my laptop for are development tasks and some gaming.

As a consumption device, it pretty much has everything. I can surf the web, watch Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and pretty much any other video people throw out there, play quite a few games with more coming in everyday, work on Office documents, keep track of my finances, and even remote in to work if needed.

When my Surface 2 broke, I was actually quite sad to have to use my laptop for consumption type things and was actually not doing things I would normally do (like check comics in the morning) rather than using my laptop. I hadn't realized the convenience factor until it was gone.

I would venture to say that for most people, an RT version would meet almost all, if not all their needs.

Great feedback!!! Agree all the way!

 

[trivor]

No, Microsoft did NOT kill the Surface RT/2. The mini was never an actual product, and probably won't be as long as there is an RT version of the Surface.

Actually, I'm sure they built a Surface mini (just like Apple has built larger iPhones) it's just MS has decided (for the Second Time in a year) not to release it. If Win RT is not on 8 inch tablets then why have Windows on ARM at all - 8 inches is a perfect complement to the Surface 2. I think Win RT is on its death bed.

 

[SB5]

I think this event was mainly to announce a Surface "Laptop", more so than a new line of Surfaces with upgraded hardware, since most of the Surface Pro 3 is similar to the Surface Pro 2. So, I don't think RT is dead, yet...

 

[WillysJeepMan]

Actually, I'm sure they built a Surface mini (just like Apple has built larger iPhones) it's just MS has decided (for the Second Time in a year) not to release it. If Win RT is not on 8 inch tablets then why have Windows on ARM at all - 8 inches is a perfect complement to the Surface 2. I think Win RT is on its death bed.

Companies go to great lengths to create confusion about future products. Except for a desire by some for it to exist, a Surface mini would be disastrous. There is a very small market for a premium Windows 8" tablet. A Surface Pro mini would be way too expensive to be taken seriously. A Surface RT mini would be competing directly against the Dell Venue 8 Pro and others. No one would buy an 8" Surface running Windows RT that cost just as much (if not more) than a DV8P running full Windows.

There are benefits to having on Windows on ARM... some have been realized, but others are nothing but untapped potential.

I'm curious to see how well Microsoft's universal app model becomes a reality.

 

[Mercule]

I doubt it's dead. That's just not what this presser was about.

Really, though, they probably should kill it. Running Windows 8 Pro on an Atom device is much more pleasant, even if you only use RT "mode". I think there are a few issues with sleep/standby, though.

 

[sd173]

I hope RT dies and stays dead. I think if people want a low-end Surface they should get the i3 pro 3. At some point a person with an RT tablet will eventually will need more than just Office and the limited Windows RT apps, and then they'll regret having bought an RT. Also, since RT isn't able to get every app on normal Windows 8.x, it's not even remotely competitive with tablets like the iPad and Android tablets - which, as far as I know, was the point of RT: to compete with those tablets.

 

[xandros9]

I'm toying with the idea of picking up a Surface RT and I know what I'm getting etc blah blah and its a solid product, but I think they should ditch it because of the appearance of solid Atom chips. Also, I feel there are still those who are confused by RT and the lack of compatibility with x86. But then again the virus invulnerability (currently) and the fact its an iPad competitor might be saving graces.