One of the initial criticisms of Microsoft’s Surface tablet was that its operating systemis too confusing for users to understand. It’s not Windows 8, but it looks strikingly similar to Microsoft’s latest desktop operating system. Around the time that the Surface and Windows 8 had launched, the Redmond, Wash.-based company had trouble explaining the difference between the tablet-based Windows RT software and Windows 8.
This is an issue that a top Dell executive advised Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to address when speaking with analysts at the Dell World conference in Austin last week, according to the Australian Financial Review. Jeffrey Clarke, Dell’s vice-chairman and president of its PC division told the Microsoft chief that the “Windows” brand signifies that an operating system would be compatible with Windows applications. This isn’t the case, since Windows RT cannot run standard Windows applications and is only compatible with apps for its own OS.
In response, Ballmer said that the Windows franchise was too big to not be associated with Windows RT, Clarke said. However, the decision could result in users purchasing a Windows RT device and not realizing the difference between the two types of software. Microsoft, in turn, has reportedly been practicing flexible return policies for its Surface tablet, the Australian Financial Review reports.
Unlike Windows 8, Windows RT is designed to run on ARM chips, which are common in most mobile devices. Windows 8, along with previous generations of Windows, runs on Intel-compatible chips. Nearly all Windows apps are written to be compatible with these Intel-powered chips.
Neil Hand, vice-president of Dell’s tablet business that sells both Windows RT and Windows 8 devices, said that electronics makers still have to teach consumers the difference between these two Microsoft-branded operating systems.
“Making sure we educate the market place on the differences was going to be a necessary action no matter what,” Hand said to AFR. “Just calling it something different is not going to solve the problem.
Microsoft’s Surface tablet has gotten off to a somewhat sluggish start following its October launch. Analysts have predicted that fourth quarter sales for this year will not reach one million units. However, Microsoft has begun selling its first self-branded tablet in third party retail locations such as Best Buy and Staples, which could help sales.
It’s popping up on my FB as “sponsored.”
Dell sold Windows CE devices for years…and they weren’t compatible either.
Reality is anyone that purchases the RT is obviously informed enough to know the diff.. not like people are impulsively going to be buying them without knowing the limitations, they simply don’t have that appeal to the masses YET.
Ah, that just means we paid to put our Facebook post in your news feed. :) We do that for all of our posts on here.
Same here.
MSFT flackery…at least you are displaying it as “sponsored” now. Points for a bit more honesty.
a waste of research, time, & money, too little too late to the marketplace…plus it’s no fun…
Jason Benlevi- What do you mean we are displaying it as Sponsored? No one sponsored this post. That Windows 8 graphic just leads to a page we have dedicated to Windows 8 related articles.
Agreed. cc: Microsoft Dell Intel
I think many are either waiting for the Surface with Windows Pro on it, or like me, holding off for months to see what the market in general makes in terms of touch devices for Windows 8.
that’s exactly what im doing. im a college student so i want the surface for taking notes and doing power points on the go and would be fine with the RT but i do want the surface pro but that’s a little out of my price range. I just don’t trust Microsoft backing its new products though. I don’t want them to just drop support for the surface 5 months for now or for developers not to make apps for the market
I feel ya. I bought a Thinkpad Tablet 1 last year and was disappointed when Lenovo abandoned it fully so they could make Win 8 tablets. Even now while their TPT 2 looks tempting, the release delays, lack of info, and past history now make me reluctant to even consider them.
I will wait a few months and see how things develop. Personally I love the Sony Touch with “standard” Windows 8 that I can install all legacy programs.
I’ve been thinking about that as well. Just going with a Win 7 tablet and stylus if needed.
I am waiting to save up enough for an x86 WIndows 8 tablet (the cheapest I can find is 600 dollars). I would also like to see some AMD x86 tablets to see if those are cheaper than the Intel versions.
I see no reason for Windows RT to exist. The ARM tablet market is filled with iPads and Android tablets. I think Microsoft should have stuck with the x86 Windows 8 and not bothered with ARM tablets. That would have allowed them to play to the strengths of Windows instead of making things confusing for users.
Frankly, I think Apple needs to think more on how to bring the OS X environment to the iPad. Google needs to do more to make Android able to integrate into office environments.
Both need to get to a point where you can click “print” and not have to go to a special app or be told you need an AirPort printer.
As for MS, I agree…RT should be more for phones and low-end inexpensive tablets mainly for media consumption.