Microsoft’s Windows RT based tablets have not exactly been a success story for Microsoft, and now Asus has decided to stop making Windows RT based tablets.
Asus will continue to make Windows 8 tablets using Intel processors, and Asus have said that the lack of backwards compatibility in Windows RT is one of the reasons they are stopping making the devices.
“It’s not only our opinion, the industry sentiment is also that Windows RT has not been successful,” Asustek Chief Executive Jerry Shen told The Wall Street Journal on the sidelines of its post-earnings conference.
Challenges Faced by Windows RT
Windows RT was introduced as a version of Windows 8 designed to run on ARM-based processors, which are commonly used in mobile devices due to their power efficiency. However, the platform faced several significant challenges from the outset. One of the primary issues was the lack of compatibility with traditional Windows applications. Unlike Windows 8, which could run legacy Windows software, Windows RT could only run apps specifically designed for it, available through the Windows Store. This limitation severely restricted the software ecosystem available to users, making the devices less appealing.
Additionally, the performance of Windows RT devices often lagged behind their Windows 8 counterparts. While ARM processors are efficient, they did not provide the same level of performance as Intel processors, which powered most Windows 8 tablets. This performance gap further discouraged consumers from adopting Windows RT devices.
Market Response and Future Prospects
The market response to Windows RT was tepid at best. Consumers and businesses alike were hesitant to invest in a platform with such limited software compatibility and performance issues. This lukewarm reception was reflected in the sales figures, which fell short of Microsoft’s expectations. Major manufacturers, including Dell and Lenovo, also scaled back their Windows RT offerings, leaving Microsoft and a few others as the primary proponents of the platform.
Asus’s decision to cease production of Windows RT tablets is a significant indicator of the platform’s struggles. The company will instead focus on Windows 8 tablets, which offer full compatibility with existing Windows software and better performance thanks to Intel processors. This shift aligns with broader industry trends, as manufacturers and consumers gravitate towards more versatile and powerful devices.
It will be interesting to see what plans Microsoft has for Windows RT in the future, and whether they will continue to produce RT based devices, or switch completely to Windows 8 tablets. Given the current market dynamics, it seems likely that Microsoft may eventually phase out Windows RT in favor of more robust and compatible solutions. However, the company has not yet made any official announcements regarding the future of the platform.
The story of Windows RT serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges of introducing a new platform in a competitive market. The lack of backwards compatibility and performance issues were significant hurdles that ultimately led to its decline. As the tech industry continues to evolve, manufacturers and developers must carefully consider these factors when designing new products and platforms.
Source WSJ
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