Microsoft Windows RT Surface tablets. Advised to review carefully.

Microsoft's Windows RT tablets such as the Surface will be released late October. The real question is, “will the device be a success or a flop?” The more I read about these devices the more I get the feeling they’ll by quite a restricted experience. Microsoft have seen how commercially successful Apple have been with their restrictive approach and appear to be taking a leaf out of Apple’s book.

The benefit Microsoft Windows’ users have is Windows has been a relatively open platform. Any developer can write a program in a range of languages and release the programs direct to customers. Apple’s approach has been to force developers to release their native applications via the App Store. The approach has benefits to consumers, but also it is a huge winner for Apple as Apple receives 30% of sales revenue. If as a developer I want to release software direct to clients or the general public without Apple’s involvement (or profit taking), I can’t software. Now Microsoft appears to be copying this approach.

The main thing to keep in mind is don’t just assume Windows RT is the same product as Microsoft’s other Windows software. Think of the versions as completely different products even though they have very similar names. For many this will be difficult. For example, a major selling point of the Windows RT Surface tablet will be the inclusion of Office. Even as an experienced IT person that to me meant people will get Word, Excel and PowerPoint effectively for minimal cost, making it appear you’re getting them for free with the tablet. Initially my thought was the compromise is you don’t get Outlook or Access. But the real compromise is even greater. Based on what I’ve read lately there will be other features missing. For corporate the big omission will be Visual Basic for Applications, or in other words, the software used to develop macros in Office. Most users don’t need macros, but in the corporate world you provide the same version of Office to all users knowing that for power users they’ll have macros, IT staff can if required provide custom macros and all users will be easier to look after. Now if some users have Office on a Windows RT tablet and some users have Office have Windows on an Intel based tablet they won’t get the same functionality. A potential nightmare for the IT department.

I can’t help feeling there will be a lot of unhappy Windows RT tablet buyers. Buyers who haven’t checked into the details and find they’re more restricted than those buying an Intel based tablet running the other, let’s say, main version of Windows.

I expect Windows RT tablets will come out at a very attractive price. From what I’ve read the Windows RT tablets will be launched first meaning those who are compelled to buy and can’t wait will only have the choice of a Windows RT tablet. It may be hard for them to wait if they want to full Microsoft Windows experience and want to run the range of applications that can only be run on Intel based computers.

Before buying a Windows RT Surface tablet, or any other tablet using Windows RT, make sure you do your homework. If you know what you’re getting it should be a great buy. If you don’t do your homework, I suspect it could be a decision you’ll regret.

Kelvin Eldridge
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