Now who said Microsoft would abandon Windows RT and Surface RT?
There are a good number of tech bloggers, Apple and Google fanboys and fangirls claiming that Microsoft would abandon Windows RT and Surface RT leaving the users stranded. Keep in mind that there are more than few million Windows RT users. While those numbers may not be surely interesting like iPad sales or cheap Android tablet sales, I don’t think Microsoft would abandon that ship ditching Windows RT users.
Microsoft have said that the current version of Surface RT will be supported until 04/11/2017 and that means Windows RT will get updates and Surface RT firmware will be updated until that time. Which is pretty good and decent support given the fact that most of the ARM based systems get abandoned and don’t get updates after 2 to 3 years. To further prove this point, a lot of Microsoft pro blogs started claiming that there are other Surface models in the pipeline like Surface Mini. I contacted them and they have replied back to me saying they don’t have further information in this regards, but there will be definitely future models in the Surface line because Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer said that Microsoft was devices and services company.
Whether Microsoft releases Surface Mini based on ARM processor or not, but there will be definitely a Surface RT powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 for sure. This is another proof that Microsoft is not abandoning the Surface RT and Windows RT line unlike many “Anything But Microsoft” fanboys/fangirls and paid tech bloggers are claiming. This processor is a Quad core chipset running at speeds up to 2.2GHz per core has 3G/4G LTE modem and HD graphics support. The Surface RT with this processor will be released at latter date of the year. I am anticipating sometime in late October prepping for holiday shopping.
Our own Murani Lewis says “Microsoft is trying to have a device for whatever need the user has. As the power improves on ARM the capabilities will get closer to Win 8.” Yes, he is absolutely right.
Source: Microsoft Support, Yahoo! Finance
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About The Author
saiweb
Mobile Gadget Geek. My mobility started with HP Jornada Handheld PC LX320. I currently own and use various Windows Phones, iOS devices, Android devices and HP Touchpad.
I see RT as a marketing tool for Microsoft. Give users a flavor of Windows, without the full capability. Give users basic Office with some limitations due to device size and processor capabilities. They should offer it to OEMs at cost and encourage them to sell it with thin margins. When those users grow up, figuratively and literally, they will buy Win 8 devices at higher margin. Works for me.
Oh, and pretty much every primary and secondary school student in the US and abroad could get by with an RT device, w/Office built in. Except maybe Simmons and his stuffy prep school.
Jim, I agree with you and you nailed it including comment on Simmons stuffy prep school. 😀