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Windows RT: ARM tablets and laptops, better battery life, and fewer features

Windows RT brings Microsoft's latest desktop operating system off of x86 and onto ARM, meaning it's perfectly suited for tablets thanks to the low power drain and low heat generated by systems running on ARM processors. Windows RT isn't the same as Windows 8, however: it's focused on the Metro environment, and the only desktop apps to run on it is a bundled version of Microsoft Office. Keep it tuned here for the latest updates on Microsoft's ARM-friendly OS and the new tablets and convertibles as they come in.

  • Sean Hollister

    Aug 9, 2013

    Sean Hollister

    Asus will no longer make Windows RT tablets

    Asus Vivo Tab RT 640
    Asus Vivo Tab RT 640

    Windows RT is running out of friends. Asus told The Wall Street Journal that it will no longer make Windows RT tablets with ARM chips, saying it took a loss on its Windows RT devices last quarter. Instead, the company will build full Windows 8 devices using Intel processors. Originally, Asus was one of the operating system's stalwart supporters, putting its Asus Vivo Tab RT on shelves before the competition, but other companies like SamsungToshibaHTC and Nokia have all curtailed their efforts, and companies like Acer and Dell are proceeding cautiously.

    Not a single Windows RT tablet was announced at Computex Taipei, Asia's biggest computer show.

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  • Aug 9, 2013

    Vlad Savov

    Nvidia pins blame for disappointing Tegra revenue on Windows RT

    Microsoft Surface RT stock
    Microsoft Surface RT stock

    Microsoft isn't the only one feeling the pecuniary pain of Windows RT's market failure. Nvidia's latest earnings report has been accompanied by commentary from CEO Jen Hsun-Huang saying that a "particular platform just didn't do as well as we or frankly anybody in the industry had hoped." Though Huang doesn't name Windows RT explicitly, it's evident that it's the platform he's referring to, and he goes on to say that its disappointing sales have impacted Nvidia's bottom line to the tune of up to $300 million. What's more, Huang admits that "we don't expect it in the short term to come back."

    The Surface RT tablet that Microsoft introduced a year ago, powered by Nvidia's Tegra 3, earned the company much praise for its excellent industrial design, but fell down in terms of performance and compatibility. At the time, it was a great point of pride for Huang and company as they were leading the way for future Windows machines powered by ARM processors instead of the traditional x86 chips. It appears that the company over-invested in its faith that Windows RT would be a success and is now paying the literal price for it.

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  • Nathan Ingraham

    Jul 18, 2013

    Nathan Ingraham

    Microsoft took a $900 million hit on Surface RT this quarter

    Microsoft Surface RT stock
    Microsoft Surface RT stock

    Microsoft just announced earnings for its fiscal Q4 2013, and while the company posted strong results it also revealed some details on how the Surface RT project is costing the business money. Microsoft's results showed a $900 million loss due to Surface RT "inventory adjustments," a charge that comes just a few days after the company officially cut Surface RT prices significantly. This $900 million loss comes out of the company's total Windows revenue, though its worth noting that Windows revenue still increased year-over-year. Unfortunately, Microsoft still doesn't give specific Windows 8 sales or revenue numbers, but it probably performed well this quarter to make up for the big Surface RT loss.

    At the end of the day, though, it looks like Microsoft just made too many Surface RT tablets — we heard late last year that Microsoft was building three to five million Surface RT tablets in the fourth quarter, and we also heard that Microsoft had only sold about one million of those tablets in March. We'll be listening to Microsoft's earnings call this afternoon to see if they further address Surface RT sales or future plans.

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  • Tom Warren

    Jul 9, 2013

    Tom Warren

    Nokia's cancelled 10-inch Windows RT tablet allegedly pictured

    Gallery Photo: Nokia Windows RT tablet photos
    Gallery Photo: Nokia Windows RT tablet photos

    Nokia was building its own Windows RT tablet that was set to debut earlier this year, but sources familiar with the project have revealed to The Verge that it was cancelled in favor of a full Windows 8 version. Alleged images of Nokia's RT tablet have surfaced on a Korean forum this week, showing what looks like a 10-inch tablet running Microsoft's Windows RT operating system. Five images posted to a Naver Cafe forum dedicated to games also show a charging port that the poster identifies as a magnetic connector similar to the MagSafe used on MacBooks and on Microsoft's Surface tablets.

    Nokia's Windows RT tablet is said to be running on Nvidia's Tegra 3 processor, a detail that sources confirm is genuine. HDMI and USB ports are also present, and the poster notes the tablet includes a SIM slot located near to the headphone jack that supports LTE connectivity. There's no sign of a battery-equipped cover that Nokia was working on for its tablet, nor details about the fast charging feature. The poster claims he "got it from someone who works at Nokia" as a gift. It's said to have the model number "Nvidia P1001," perhaps backing up the prototype nature of Nokia's tablet efforts. We've reached out to Nokia for comment on the device, and we'll update you accordingly.

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  • Tom Warren

    Jun 27, 2013

    Tom Warren

    Windows RT 8.1 preview: all the additions you'd expect, but no desktop removal

    Windows RT 8.1
    Windows RT 8.1

    Windows RT was largely unmentioned during Microsoft's Build opening keynote on Wednesday, but the company is also releasing a preview version of Windows RT 8.1 this week. Designed to update ARM-based tablets to the same features that Windows 8.1 provides, there's little difference between the two. I got the chance to run Windows RT 8.1 on a Surface RT and see exactly what Microsoft has improved.

    First things first, the desktop mode remains. Despite not being able to install and run traditional desktop applications, the desktop mode in Windows RT 8.1 is still present and includes the Start button just like its x86 counterpart. It's not that surprising given Microsoft's stance with Windows RT, but it's clear the company is continuing to develop both operating systems alongside each other.

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  • Sam Byford

    Jun 5, 2013

    Sam Byford

    One year after debut, Windows RT is a Computex no-show

    Steve Mollenkopf qualcomm windows rt 8.1
    Steve Mollenkopf qualcomm windows rt 8.1

    Three days into Computex Taipei, Asia's biggest computer show, not a single manufacturer has announced a Windows RT device. Windows RT, the version of Windows 8 designed for more power-efficient ARM processors, made its official debut at last year's show on a convertible tablet by Asus.

    The operating system has suffered a shaky period since its October launch, with disappointed comments from partners, fire sales from manufacturers, and unflattering performance comparisons all contributing to a general sense of negativity. The Computex show floor has been dominated by devices running Windows 8 on Haswell and other chips from Intel, but ARM-powered units have been conspicuous in their absence.

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  • Dan Seifert

    May 30, 2013

    Dan Seifert

    HTC reportedly cancels plans for full-size Windows RT tablet, but 7-inch tablets still on track

    Windows Phone stock buttons Radar 4G (1020)
    Windows Phone stock buttons Radar 4G (1020)

    HTC has reportedly canceled its plans to develop a full-size Windows RT tablet, citing weak demand for larger tablets, according to Bloomberg. High cost of development was also cited as a reason for canceling the planned 12-inch device. However, the company is still apparently on track to develop a 7-inch tablet running Microsoft's stripped down operating system, with a launch expected later this year. HTC is also said to be planning a new 7-inch Android tablet for the same time frame. Both tablets are expected to be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors.

    Bloomberg initially reported HTC's plans to develop Windows RT tablets back in December of last year, saying that the company had considered doing full-fledged Windows 8 versions, but deemed them to be too costly and was sticking with Windows RT instead.

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  • Sean Hollister

    May 15, 2013

    Sean Hollister

    Windows RT hits a new low: just $300 for Dell's XPS 10 convertible

    Dell XPS 10
    Dell XPS 10

    Microsoft's Surface notwithstanding, Windows RT hasn't yet been the success that Microsoft has hoped. Samsung seems to be distancing itself from the operating system, and many PC manufacturers have yet to bite at all. However, Dell has publicly committed to the OS, and this week it's making Windows RT more accessible than ever before: it's cutting the price of the Dell XPS 10 tablet to just $299.

    We still wouldn't necessarily recommend buying one at that price, even with the sizable $150 discount it represents. Even tablets equipped with Intel's lowly Atom processors have been putting Windows RT devices to shame, and we haven't spent enough quality time with the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 inside the Dell XPS 10 to let you know how it performs. Still, at only $350 for a bundle that includes the XPS 10 and a keyboard dock that vastly improves battery life, it might still be a fantastic deal for the right buyer.

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  • David Pierce

    May 4, 2013

    David Pierce

    Acer still planning Windows RT tablets, but sees 'no value' in current version

    Acer Windows tablet
    Acer Windows tablet

    Acer is clearly and closely aligned with Windows, but there's one part of Microsoft's strategy it's not buying into just yet. At an event on Friday in New York — in the middle of a sea of newly-announced Windows products — company President Jim Wong told PCWorld that Acer won't build a Windows RT tablet until Windows RT 8.1 comes out. "To be honest, there's no value doing the current version of RT," he said. We may not have to wait long, though: Wong also alluded to Windows RT 8.1 coming in the second half of this year.

    Acer has a fairly turbulent history with Windows RT, but has repeatedly said it's committed to building products with Microsoft's low-powered OS. And with Windows RT 8.1, which promises to bring a number of performance and feature enhancements along with support for 7- and 8-inch devices (and maybe even a Start button), Acer may finally have Windows tablet software it can believe in.

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  • Jeff Blagdon

    Apr 16, 2013

    Jeff Blagdon

    Dell standing by Windows RT, working on future ARM devices

    Dell XPS 10
    Dell XPS 10

    Hand’s prediction could come true if Microsoft sticks with Windows 8 style apps that run on both ARM and x86 architectures over "the long haul," but the company has repeatedly shown its willingness to step away from poorly-performing platforms like Silverlight. Dell might not have the best track record predicting trends, but Hand maintains that people who actually own the Windows RT XPS 10 love the device.

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  • Tom Warren

    Mar 19, 2013

    Tom Warren

    Nvidia CEO describes Windows RT as 'disappointing,' says Microsoft can 'get it right'

    microsoft office stock
    microsoft office stock

    Speaking at the GPU Technology Conference today, Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang expressed his disappointment with Windows RT, Microsoft's ARM-based operating system for tablets. "Windows RT is disappointing to us, because we expected to have sold more than we did," explained Huang. "I think everyone expected to have sold more than they did." Huang's comments come shortly after Samsung's CEO, JK Shin, revealed that "smartphones and tablets based on Microsoft's Windows operating system aren't selling very well."

    Despite the disappointment, Huang believes Microsoft can put things right in future. Explaining that there's a number of devices that could run Windows RT that don't, Huang said it's "of some importance for Microsoft to continue to invest in Windows RT," irrespective of the poor sales. "They always seem to ultimately get it right," said Huang. "I expect they will because it's too important not to get it right."

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  • Sean Hollister

    Feb 14, 2013

    Sean Hollister

    Nvidia CEO: 'I believe in tablets wholeheartedly,' but smartphones will take a little longer

    Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang sure loves his slates. "Yes, I believe in tablets. I believe in tablets wholeheartedly," he told investors this afternoon. The company co-founder has good reason to say so: Nvidia's Tegra line of mobile processors, which appear in Microsoft's Surface RT and the Google Nexus 7, have driven record results. Today, the company's reporting earnings of $4.28 billion dollars for the year, a 7.1 percent increase from last year, in spite of a weaker PC market. For Nvidia, tablets have been the delivery mechanism for those mobile processors, and Huang says that will continue to be the case: on the company's Q4 investor call, he talked up the potential of both Android and Windows RT tablets — but not smartphones — in the near future.

    "Though people have been skeptical about Android tablets," Huang began,

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  • Tom Warren

    Jan 25, 2013

    Tom Warren

    Microsoft reportedly testing Outlook application for Windows RT

    Outlook 2013 stock
    Outlook 2013 stock

    Microsoft is reportedly testing an Outlook RT edition of its popular email client. ZDNet reports that the company has finished and is testing a version of Outlook for Windows RT, the operating system used on Microsoft's Surface RT tablet. At present Windows RT ships with Office 2013 RT Home & Student edition, but the software does not include an Outlook email client.

    A full Outlook desktop app for Windows RT would immediately improve the email situation on Windows RT. ARM-based tablet owners are left with a Windows 8-style Mail application that isn't fully featured and needs a lot of improvement. It's not clear whether the Outlook RT application is a full desktop version or a Windows 8-style client.

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  • Dan Seifert

    Jan 11, 2013

    Dan Seifert

    Samsung won't launch Windows RT tablets in the US, blames confusion and weak demand

    Samsung Windows 8
    Samsung Windows 8

    Samsung's line of Windows Ativ tablets was announced just this past fall, but it doesn't look like the company will be bringing the RT version to the US any time soon. Speaking to CNET, Samsung executive Mike Abary said that the Qualcomm-powered RT tablet will not be sold in the US, citing the high cost of educating the consumer on Windows RT and studies from retail partners that said demand for Windows RT tablets was not enough to warrant the heavy investment in consumer education.

    "When we did some tests and studies on how we could go to market with a Windows RT device, we determined there was a lot of heavy lifting we still needed to do to educate the customer on what Windows RT was," noted Abary. Consumer education is something that Microsoft has had to struggle with for both Windows 8 and Windows RT, and it looks like this is a direct consequence of that. He added that Samsung was also not willing to bring the Windows RT tablets to market with the compromises it would need to make to hit the lower price point expected from RT tablets. "We didn't necessarily attain the price point that we hoped to attain," Abary said.

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  • Tom Warren

    Jan 11, 2013

    Tom Warren

    Early Mac OS seen running on Surface thanks to Windows RT jailbreak

    Surface jailbreak
    Surface jailbreak

    Earlier this week a security researcher revealed how it's possible to jailbreak the Windows RT operating system that powers Microsoft's Surface RT tablet. Using a method to exploit a setting in the OS, developers have released a jailbreak tool that simply runs and unlocks the device. It will need to be applied at each boot of the OS, but it will provide access to run ARM-based desktop apps.

    Microsoft locked down its Windows RT operating system to new Windows 8-style applications, rather than allow developers to compile ARM-based apps. Irish programmer Steve Troughton-Smith has tried the technique on his Surface tablet today, revealing that he was able to run an early version of Apple's OS X server operating system on a Surface tablet. With XDA Developers members eager to test the jailbreak, it's possible that Windows RT might develop a healthy homebrew community for desktop apps providing Microsoft doesn't attempt to patch the flaw in future.

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  • Tom Warren

    Jan 7, 2013

    Tom Warren

    Microsoft applauds Windows RT jailbreaker, hints at future fix

    start button
    start button

    Microsoft's Windows RT operating system finally got its very own jailbreak earlier this week and now the Redmond-based software giant has responded and applauded those involved. While Microsoft debates the usability of the jailbreak, a spokesperson was quick to "applaud the ingenuity of the folks who worked this out and the hard work they did to document it," in a statement to The Verge today.

    The process involved for running desktop apps on Windows RT is fairly complex, and Microsoft acknowledges that it's "not something the average user could, or reasonably would, leverage as it requires local access to a system, local administration rights and a debugger in order to work." The company is also not guaranteeing that the vulnerability "will be there in future releases" of Windows RT, indicating that it plans to patch the flaw in future.

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  • Tom Warren

    Jan 7, 2013

    Tom Warren

    Windows RT jailbroken to run ARM-based desktop apps

    Windows RT hands-on
    Windows RT hands-on

    Microsoft's Windows RT operating system has finally been jailbroken. Security researcher clrokr claims to have developed a way to allow desktop applications to run on Microsoft's ARM-based OS. A setting that restricts ARM-based desktop apps to Microsoft's built-in ones has been found to allow unsigned desktop apps.

    Using a method to exploit the setting in memory, the vulnerability could allow Windows RT to run ARM compiled desktop apps. The revelation is a jailbreak, but no x86 desktop apps will run as they need to be compiled to ARM to work on Windows RT — making this exploit rather limited right now. The trick will need to be executed each time the operating system is booted up and will persist until it's reset.

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  • Bryan Bishop

    Dec 21, 2012

    Bryan Bishop

    HTC reportedly working on Windows RT tablets for 2013

    Gallery Photo: HTC Droid DNA pictures
    Gallery Photo: HTC Droid DNA pictures

    Bloomberg is reporting that HTC is working on a number of Windows tablets to take on Apple in 2013. The company is said to be working on two devices: a 12-inch tablet, and a 7-inch version that will be able to make phone calls. Both products will reportedly use Windows RT and run on chips provided by Qualcomm. The company is also said to have considered creating Windows 8 devices, but decided that they would be too costly — the report quotes a price of around $1,000 — so the option was scrapped in favor of an RT-only strategy for the moment.

    Word broke just yesterday that Microsoft's Steve Ballmer was meeting with HTC CEO Peter Chou to discuss their future Windows Phone plans; it's not clear if Windows RT tablets were part of that conversation, but it seems clear HTC has been exploring tablet options for some time. In September it was reported that HTC was preparing a Windows 8 tablet — Qualcomm was mentioned at that time as well — and the company's chief product officer Kouji Kodera told us directly that HTC was interested in the market segment, and had put together multiple product concepts trying to create the right device.

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  • Tom Warren

    Dec 17, 2012

    Tom Warren

    Dell urged Microsoft to change confusing Windows tablet branding

    start button
    start button

    Dell executive Jeffrey Clarke has reportedly revealed that he urged Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to avoid using the Windows brand for the company's Windows RT operating system. The Australian Financial Review reports that Clarke said the new OS for ARM-based tablets should be called something other than Windows, but Ballmer insisted the brand was too important.

    Windows RT is being used as the operating system and brand for Microsoft's Surface RT tablet and other ARM-based systems from OEMs such as Dell, Samsung, and Asus. Microsoft failed to explain the Windows 8 vs. Windows RT differences to consumers in a clear way ahead of the Surface launch, creating confusion by keeping a full desktop in Windows RT without the ability to run legacy applications. We've previously argued that it's time for Microsoft to drop the Windows brand for a mobile future with Windows RT and Windows Phone to avoid confusion with a new app model and interface.

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  • Aaron Souppouris

    Nov 15, 2012

    Aaron Souppouris

    HP's head of PC 'not a big fan' of Windows RT, says Surface is slow and kludgey

    HP logo stock
    HP logo stock

    Todd Bradley, HP's head of PC, has spoken frankly about Microsoft's Windows RT and Surface launches. In an interview with IDG Enterprise, Bradley reiterated comments HP made earlier this year, saying he'd "hardly call Surface competition," before making some rather damning comments about Microsoft's first ever tablet. "It tends to be slow and a little kludgey as you use it," says Bradley, adding that "it's expensive... the press has made a bigger deal out of Surface than what the world has chosen to believe." Back in August, another HP exec said that Surface was Microsoft's way of "making a leadership statement and showing what's possible in the tablet space."

    Bradley cites the small retail launch — Surface is only available directly through Microsoft in a limited number of countries — as further evidence that Microsoft isn't making a big play. In the same interview, Bradley says he isn't "a big fan" of Microsoft's tablet-centric OS. HP has previously said that, although it will to re-enter the consumer tablet market in 2013, there are no plans for a Windows RT tablet yet.

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  • Sean Hollister

    Oct 25, 2012

    Sean Hollister

    Windows 8 upgrade: your hardware and software options explained

    windows8 lead
    windows8 lead

    So you want a computer with Windows 8? Welcome to Decision City, population you. On October 26th, the day Microsoft launches its new operating system, you'll be able to choose from a tremendous array of laptops, desktops, tablets and even some computers that defy traditional form factors. You'll be able to pick from no fewer than five different types of processors and three versions of the operating system in all. Or, you can simply upgrade your existing computer to Windows 8 without a lot of trouble. Here are a number of the questions you'll probably be asking yourself:

    How much does Windows 8 cost? When can I get it? Where can it be found? What's that "Windows RT" thing I keep hearing about?

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  • Nathan Ingraham

    Oct 23, 2012

    Nathan Ingraham

    Dell XPS 10 Windows RT tablet available for pre-order at $499, but won't ship until late December

    Dell XPS 10
    Dell XPS 10

    We first got a look at Dell's XPS 10 back at IFA this August, and now the company has announced its convertible Windows 8 RT tablet is available for pre-order starting at the same $499 price point as Microsoft's Surface. The XPS 10 features a similar design to the Surface: it's a 10.1-inch tablet that can be docked with an external keyboard to provide a more traditional laptop experience, though that keyboard will cost quite a bit of money. The $499 version of the XPS 10 includes a 1.5GHz, dual-core Snapdragon processor and 32GB of storage, but getting the included keyboard will set you back $679, a good $80 more than the Surface with Touch Cover.

    You're getting something for that money, however — Dell's keyboard attachment uses mechanical keys and also includes USB and HDMI ports plus a built-in battery. There's also a 64GB version available for another $100. The big downside here is that Dell's site says these new tablets won't ship until the second half of December, at which point the Surface will have been on the market for nearly two months — so if you're really looking forward to trying out Windows 8 RT as soon as possible, you'll probably want to explore other options.

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