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The older Surface tablet had Windows RT but the newer one has Windows 8.
What's the difference between the two, that would impact the average user?
For example, is there a diff regarding installing Word/Excel?
Windows RT is a version of Windows for ARM tablets. There is no way to install "Desktop" programs onto the tablet.
Windows 8 on a tablet is the same as the version that's on a desktop, and can do anything that a desktop or laptop can do (within the limitations of the hardware).
With the Word/Excel example. You'd have to buy a version specifically for the RT tablet (that won't work on any other Windows machines), where you could install any old version you had (that was compatible with Win8), on the Windows 8 tablet.
Windows RT is a version of Windows for ARM tablets. There is no way to install "Desktop" programs onto the tablet.
Windows 8 on a tablet is the same as the version that's on a desktop, and can do anything that a desktop or laptop can do (within the limitations of the hardware).
With the Word/Excel example. You'd have to buy a version specifically for the RT tablet (that won't work on any other Windows machines), where you could install any old version you had (that was compatible with Win8), on the Windows 8 tablet.
All windows RT tablets come with Office (word, excel, etc) already installed. You don't have to purchase it separately.
I personally would go with a Windows 8 tablet over a Windows RT tablet because it would be nice to be able to run traditional Windows software that has not been released for RT. This will likely become less important as time passes, however.
On the other hand, Windows 8 tablets have been reporting less than stellar battery life. If all you need is Word, Excel, a web browser and access to an app market, Windows RT should be just fine.
Agree. I would go PRO too. Even if I was buying for just those basic needs, I have no doubt there would come a time where I'd like to install a real Windows program and I'd get annoyed. lol
SemiAccurate went in to detail about why Microsoft’s Surface could not compete against real tablets, and the new price cuts are not going to help. Windows RT and Surface RT have absolutely no chance of surviving much less thriving in a market that Microsoft needs to stay even marginally relevant. It was game over before launch.
What most people don’t understand is story behind that, the why not the what. Microsoft can never compete in tablets and phones, period, and this is not a qualified statement, it is an inherent property of the choices the company made over the last 3 decades. Microsoft has no chance in mobile no matter what they do, their very business model precludes in a world they still fail to understand.
lots more in the article
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Microsoft Windows RT price cuts don’t stop the death spiral
