Windows RT, is it doomed for failure? There are still quite a few critics that think so, and the new announcement of price cuts for many RT devices will likely only add additional fuel to that fire.
Apparently the Asus VivoTab RT is now hitting Amazon for as little as $377.99, down from the $599 it launched at. Next up, the Dell XPS 10 can now be had for $449 for a 32GB model, down $50. Then there is even the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 which is now $499 sold by Amazon, down $200.
Even a few Windows 8 tablet PCs have received price cuts via Microsoft’s Store such as ATIV Smart PC 500T is just $699 down from $899, and the HP Envy x2 is $599 versus the original $849 pricing.
The only Windows RT device that doesn’t yet have any price cut yet appears to be the Surface RT, which isn’t that surprising since it is considered the most popular of these ARM-based Windows tablets.
So what does the price cuts mean for Windows RT?
Before anyone starts breaking out the “a few months there will be a $100 firesale on all of these” comments – hold up and think about why Windows RT devices like the ones mentioned above are failing. Heck, even why some of the Windows 8 tablets aren’t doing that well.
Price and perception. Windows 8 and Windows RT have received mixed reception and while consumers might take a chance on something new and unproven if the price is low enough, Windows RT devices aren’t exactly that cheap.
This doesn’t mean that these are complete failures, and I believe a small price cut will help. It also doesn’t mean that Windows RT is dead.
It just means that the first-generation attempt to get Windows RT off the ground is slow-going at best. Now we need next generation devices running on Windows 8.1 (Blue), and hopefully in smaller and cheaper form factors.
The tablet war is far from over, and it is foolish to completely count Microsoft down and out, even when it comes to Windows RT. What do you think of the price cut announcements, anyone now interested in picking up an RT tablet knowing you can get them for around $400-$450? Share your thoughts below.
“Would I want a Surface RT now that the price has been reduced” – NO and here is why.
1. Has MS fixed the WiFi Connection problem? – NO
2. Has MS fixed the Sound Issue? – NO
3. Has MS fixed the Keyboard separating problem? – NO
I came to America in Dec 2012 to get a 5 Surface RT tablets (4 for gifts) and none of the stores I went to had them in stock. They said they only got 2 or 3 originally.
I came back to America in 2013 when the Surface Pro was released and again nobody had them in stock. Upon returning to Seoul, I started reading about the problems and was so glad I was not able to get those tablets even though those trips cost about 3½ thousand USD each. If I had gotten those RT’s and given them as Gifts, and then they be stricken with problems, I would have been so embarrassed and there would be no saving face.
So for Now my Android Samsung Galaxy Tab & Asus Transformer Infinity tablets rule.
Very valid points. I haven’t exactly been impressed by Windows RT or the Surface RT either. My hope is that everything changes if/when they realize they should focus on 7 and 8-inch lower-cost tablets and leave the higher-end market to Windows 8 tablets. 🙂
Thank you for commenting, and I fully agree with your statements. I hope MS reads your post and the comments too. Thanks for a wonderful website I read it daily.
Thank you, we really appreciate it. 🙂
I like MS, but they certainly frustrate me when the answers to most of their problems seem to be right in front of them most of the time but for some reason they just don’t seem to see it.
They just fall into the “Successful Business Syndrome”. “Old” Apple, HP, RIM and Nokia are another examples. If they don’t wake up fast enough, slow and painful dead is ahead.