Acer Working on Windows RT Tablet for 2013 Release
Acer has resumed development of an ARM-based Windows RT tablet.
Acer, the Taiwanese Microsoft partner that became extremely vocal about the branded Surface RT and Surface Pro tablets, is reportedly working on its own Windows RT tablet -- again. The news arrives after the company stated over the past year that it plans to take a wait-and-see approach to developing devices based on Windows RT.
Oliver Ahrens, Acer's president of Europe, Middle East and Africa operations, confirmed with the IDG News Service during Mobile World Congress 2013 that Windows RT will be part of the company's aggressive mobile lineup for this year. He didn't specify as to when a product will be launched, but did admit that Microsoft needs to put more work into making the Modern UI more appealing to consumers.
The news of a Windows RT tablet from Acer is surprising given that sales have been somewhat lackluster thus far – even Microsoft hasn't released actual sales numbers for Surface RT. During 2012 Acer sat back and watched its competitors rush Windows RT tablets to the market in order to make the Windows 8 launch date. Now two months into 2013, Acer is quite happy with its decision – it didn't want to sell just 20 units a day as seen with one unnamed competitor.
"It's not a rat race," he said. "We could have released it already."
During Computex 2012, Acer said it planned to release a Windows RT tablet. But the company put those plans on hold and focused instead on Windows 8-based laptops. Early reception for the new OS has reportedly been "cold" partially due to a heavy inventory of Windows 7 laptops which needed to clear out before Windows 8 sales could bloom.
That said, fears of a massively overhauled OS may have also caused a cold reception from consumers, fears that have somewhat subsided now that early adopters have figured out that Windows 8 is merely an updated Windows 7 with an optional tablet-focused overlay. A lack of touch-based hardware has also hindered Windows 8's overall acceptance, as screens are still rather expensive for OEMs who want to keep prices low for customers.
"Surely and steadily the appreciation is growing, but it's not a boom," Ahrens said. "The perceived value of Windows 8 has not really [reached] ... users as the way we'd like to see it with Microsoft products."
Like its competitors, Acer is trying to reposition itself as PC sales decline due to customers relying on tablets and smartphones as their main computing device. At one time Acer was the world's second-largest PC maker thanks to its success with netbooks. But tablets and smartphones seemingly eradicated that form factor, and now the company is trying to regroup in a netbook-free world.
In addition to resuming Windows RT tablet development, Acer plans to launch between four to six smartphones in 2013 alone, two of which are the Liquid E1 and Liquid Z2 which were revealed this week during Mobile World Congress 2013. The company is shooting to offer a standardized user experience while remaining competitive in price.
I am using a surface RT and i can tell you i use it more than my laptop, which is now collecting dust. Flame me all you want but i love using it. It has been soo smooth since some updates.
I do understand why microsoft made RT, and I commend them for finally taking steps to make a useful mobile solution. what I don't understand is the company Acer, who've repeatedly ripped on Windows RT and windows 8 in general (they've publically called RT confusing and rather uesless), is now making an RT tablet
The problem of a RT platform is that Windows 8 tablet based on Intel Atom platform already does everything RT can do, including long battery life and light weight. In fact, currently there are Atom based W8 tablet in the market which is lighter and has longer battery life than iPad2. Needless to say, it is also able to run all existing Windows applications. Pricewise, it is only like slightly more expensive than Surface RT+Touch cover, a $100 increase in price in many cases. An example is Acer W510. If Atom can already do this, think about what the next generation of low power CPU from Intel and AMD can do? In Windows world, ARM based SoC is redundant as soon as Intel and AMD can produce CPUs that can compete with it.
RT platform would have made more sense if they are priced much lower. If Surface RT has been launched with the selling price of the rumored $200, the sales figure would have turned out very differently.
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Unless it is selling well but MS os nopt releasing the sales figures until 6 months and hit us with a big surprise
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If Acer has these figures but has a NDA it would obviously try to jump on the bandwagon and get it's own product out
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If so is this Acer eating crow?
How about you you just install Window XP Tablet Edition on any modern Windows tablet? Wish granted, enjoy your 10 year old OS