Goodbye, Windows RT as Microsoft halts production of the Surface 2

Surface 2

The Surface Pro 3 is arguably doing well. In fact, Microsoft posted $i.1 billion in revenue from their Surface line, which is a 24% increase over the previous quarter. Although that number by comparison is not staggering, it does demonstrate that the Surface, every bit a product line, has some interest.

Windows RT and the Surface 2, though, are not fairing so well. Microsoft today confirmed with Business organization Insider that the laptop-esque device is no longer beingness manufactured, although you lot can still pick i up from Microsoft Stores and retailers while supplies last.

Murmurings of such a counterfoil started back in Oct when ZDNet'south Mary Jo Foley reported that Microsoft was finished with ARM-based Surface tablets.

Surface 2

The news follows concluding week's presentation by Microsoft on Windows 10 and the future of that Bone. Although the operating system was briefly discussed for telephone, when it came to RT devices it had to wait until the press Q&A. During that fourth dimension, Microsoft did confirm that current RT devices would run into some blazon of update, simply not necessarily Windows x.

In other words, this sounds like 'Windows Phone 7.eight' all over.

Surface RT

Never took off

Windows RT has had zippo but a rocky get-go since it launched. Appear with the first Surface Serial – Surface Pro and Surface RT – the hybrid device created confusion amongst consumers, and the branding was e'er poor. The problem arises from the Os looking like Windows eight, including the Desktop, but being unable to run proper x86 or x64 applications like a "real" PC.

Although information technology was cheaper compared to Windows viii PCs, soon subsequently Microsoft released 'Windows 8.1 with Bing' for OEMs, and prices fell through the flooring. By making "existent" Windows cheaper, Microsoft essentially cannibalized their Windows RT message.

Fast frontwards to late 2022, and HP was selling an admirable 11-inch laptop for less than $200 with the HP Stream xi. By comparison, the Surface 2 started at $449 but goes upward to over $600 with 64 GB of storage and AT&T LTE. Granted, the Surface 2 is a ameliorate-built automobile – and i of my personal favorites – only information technology never quite resonated with consumers.

Lumia 2520

In one case OEMs like Asus and Dell began pulling back up for Windows RT, including HTC, who cancelled theirs even before launching, the Windows RT market was very lonely. But Nokia'due south Lumia 2520 tablet came to market place recently, and although information technology was admirable, it still was an odd duckling. Microsoft cancelled the Surface Mini and even Nokia's plans for an 8-inch tablet reportedly fizzled.

Windows 10

One Message, One Bone

Although Windows RT and the Surface ii had its fans, finally putting them out to pasture is the right affair to practise. Microsoft'due south message of "one Bone" is undercut past the Windows RT framework and has held back adoption.

Starting with Windows 10, devices with eight-inch displays and larger will run into total Windows with the traditional Desktop. Those devices with smaller displays, including phones, phablets and tiny tablets, will not (although current Intel Atom based devices tin all upgrade to total Windows 10).

It is a shame to see another Microsoft production line fade away as a failed experiment, just Microsoft appears to exist setting the right course for success with Windows 10. With a clean slate and a less disruptive message, Microsoft still can correct this ship.

Source: Business Insider

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