Microsoft Abandons The Last Windows RT Tablet
Microsoft was the last bastion of Windows RT-based tablets, but now it too has pulled the plug on RT devices
Microsoft has called time on producing tablets powered by Windows RT.
The software giant has officially stopped manufacturing the Nokia Lumia 2520, the last remaining RT device, with a spokesperson for the company told The Verge that “we are no longer manufacturing Nokia Lumia 2520; however, those still eager to buy Nokia Lumia 2520 should visit Microsoft Retail Stores, MicrosoftStore.com, third-party retailers and resellers for the latest availability.”
The last straw
Windows RT was put on shelves as a slimline alternative to Windows 8 for devices using ARM processors instead of Intel x86 processors.
The theory went that an ARM-based device running Windows RT would have an extended battery life and sell at a lower price tag to its Intel-based cousin.
However, while the big tablet vendors of Lenovo, Asus, Samsung and Dell all initially backed Windows RT, the fad never quite caught on. Buyers were confused by RT, unable to understand the difference between it and the full-fat Windows 8.
Throw on top the fact that Windows RT tablets were unable to run traditional desktop applications, and the device’s popularity dwindled.
Microsoft announced in 2013 that it lost $900 million on its own Surface version of an RT-based tablet, and finally gave up to focus on making its Intel-powered Surface range.
However, this may not be the end of the story for Windows RT tablets. At last month’s press conference for Windows 10, Microsoft made a brief nod to RT.
The company told TechWeekEurope that “As Terry Myerson shared on stage on January 21, we are working on an update for Windows RT as well. We will have more to share later.”
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