Windows RT Tablets Up to $300 Less Than Windows 8 Slates

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Lenovo North America boss talks about the competitive pricing of Windows RT devices.

Despite unveiling the Surface way back in June, Microsoft has yet to talk official launch pricing for either of its Surface tablets. However, it seems Lenovo is a little more wiling to talk numbers.

We all know Lenovo is working on a Windows RT tablet/notebook that it plans to release around the same time as Windows 8. This week, David Schmoock, head of Lenovo’s North America operations, spoke to Bloomberg and revealed that those purchasing ARM-based Windows RT tablets can expect to pay between $200 and $300 less than if they were buying a Wintel machine running Windows 8. Schmoock didn't appear to be talking about Lenovo's offering specifically.

"RT will play in consumer and retail at very aggressive price points," Schmoock told Bloomberg. "It will do well but it's going to be more of a consumer price point play to begin with."

What's more interesting is that Schmoock went on to say that Windows 8 tablets will cost $600 to $700. Based on that figure, folks could be able to pick up a Windows RT tablet for $300 or $400. Of course, you won't be getting a full fledged version of Windows 8, but the price might be enough to tempt those considering the iPad or an Android tablet, as they wouldn't be looking for a desktop OS anyway.

Windows 8 is due out October 26. Microsoft has said its Surface tablets will be available on the same day, while other manufacturers have also talked about launches close to the Windows 8 release date.

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19 Comments Comment from the forums
  • roflmaonow
    I'm sold if the Surface pro are between $600-$700.
    Reply
  • bystander
    Keep in mind that this the cost differences are when comparing base units. If the Surface pro comes with an attachable keyboard, there would be an increased gap.
    Reply
  • bustapr
    windows rt at $300-$400 seems really attractive. i see the windows metro formula working really well with the tablets, and I have no doubt WinRT will be a very polished product. I might get one. just hope enough people start programming for it.

    one thing Im wondering is how they plan to make WinRT tablets that cheap. If Im not mistaken, WinRT isnt free like Android(mostly). And if Im not mistaken, that "isnt free" is actually $85 for each liscense(if the old reports are true). how much is the compromise against other android tablets in that price? also is WinRT as resource hungry as android?
    Reply
  • SteelCity1981
    Where i see Windows 8 making a lot of money from is tablets and mobile phones where i see it not making a lot of money is on desktops and laptops. The Modern UI works great on tablets and mobiel devices not so much on desktop and latops. I think and hopefully MS next edition of Windows OS comes with two versions a Tablet\Mobile edition of Windows 9 with Modenr UI and a Desktop\Laptop Edition of Windows 9 without the Modenr UI and with a start menu. That would be great or at the very least allow users to disable Windows 9 Modenr UI and enable the start menu in Windows 9 for daesktop and laptop users.
    Reply
  • bystander
    SteelCity1981Where i see Windows 8 making a lot of money from is tablets and mobile phones where i see it not making a lot of money is on desktops and laptops. The Modern UI works great on tablets and mobiel devices not so much on desktop and latops. I think and hopefully MS next edition of Windows OS comes with two versions a Tablet\Mobile edition of Windows 9 with Modenr UI and a Desktop\Laptop Edition of Windows 9 without the Modenr UI and with a start menu. That would be great or at the very least allow users to disable Windows 9 Modenr UI and enable the start menu in Windows 9 for daesktop and laptop users.I don't know what actually will happen, but there is some potential in touchscreen laptops. The current touchpads aren't all that fun to work with, and could benefit greatly from touchscreens.
    Reply
  • hotroderx
    Call me crazy but if its anything over 300-400 dollars I think I will pass.... in the 250-300 range we have things like the Nexus 7 and Galaxy Tab 2. They both work wonderfully and are connected to a decent app store.

    In the 499+ range we have things like the Ipad no I am not a huge fan of the IPad and I most likely never own one. The reason I go with IPad over Microsoft is the IPads been proven to be stable.

    I think people some times forget to look ahead. What happens in a year if the "Microsoft tablet" you payed 500+ dollars for is not a hit. What happens if the app store in Metro.... Opps sorry "windows 8" does not take off?

    What happens if company decide its not cost effective to design software for it. Keep in mind this is not Android or Apple based.

    Microsoft late to the party when it comes to Tablets so we will have to see how everything works out for them. The designers, programers, etc are not just going to drop everything to start working on Windows tablet. Special not when they already have 2 profitable platforms to design for.
    Reply
  • once the eco system is in full swing, and the largest body of developers on earth are building apps for this platform 300 bucks will make peoples heads spin. I'm in at all price points. My samsung slate runs 8 like a champ. I can't imagine owning a device that can't be both pixel pointed and fat fingered.
    Reply
  • cscott_it
    HotRoderxCall me crazy but if its anything over 300-400 dollars I think I will pass.... in the 250-300 range we have things like the Nexus 7 and Galaxy Tab 2. They both work wonderfully and are connected to a decent app store. In the 499+ range we have things like the Ipad no I am not a huge fan of the IPad and I most likely never own one. The reason I go with IPad over Microsoft is the IPads been proven to be stable. I think people some times forget to look ahead. What happens in a year if the "Microsoft tablet" you payed 500+ dollars for is not a hit. What happens if the app store in Metro.... Opps sorry "windows 8" does not take off? What happens if company decide its not cost effective to design software for it. Keep in mind this is not Android or Apple based. Microsoft late to the party when it comes to Tablets so we will have to see how everything works out for them. The designers, programers, etc are not just going to drop everything to start working on Windows tablet. Special not when they already have 2 profitable platforms to design for.
    Because the one you paid $500+ for is x86 and does all of things your computer does?
    Reply
  • godfather666
    Windows RT tablets are guaranteed to fail if priced at more than $300.
    Reply
  • womble
    Can't imagine them selling well if they are above 400, getting perilously close to the iPad with its proven track record and huge software base. Best they can probably hope for is medium to top Android pricing as RT doesn't really offer much more and is going to need some pushing early on with the lack of apps. If enough apps don't appear it could get kind of ugly. I mean, the touchpad and the playbook were actually quite nice machines.
    Reply