Acer Delaying Windows RT Plans to See How Surface Does

By Jane McEntegart
published

Acer says we won't see its RT line until at least Q2 2013.

When Microsoft announced the Surface, many wondered what kind of effect it would have on Redmond's partners. After all, computer companies are used to Microsoft being a software partner, not a competitor. Though companies have been announcing Windows 8 products all month, Acer said today that it's going to hold off on Windows RT devices and see how Microsoft's Surface RT fares.

Reuters reports that though Acer initially planned an early-2013 launch for Windows tablets based on ARM processors, the company has changed its plans, pushing the launch of such devices until at least the second quarter.

"Originally we had a very aggressive plan to come out very early next year but because of Surface, our R&D development doesn't stop, but we are much more cautious," Reuters quotes Acer President Jim Wong as saying. "Originally our plan was Q1, but now I don't think it will be earlier than Q2," Wong said. Wong later added, "We are watching how Surface is doing ... We want to see."

While Acer is happy to launch a Windows 8 line and hold off on Windows RT, Microsoft is sort of the opposite. Though the company has announced two versions of the Surface, the Surface RT and the Surface Pro running Windows 8 on an Intel chip, only the Surface RT is for sale. So far, the company is keeping quite about the Surface running a full version of Windows. No doubt it won't be nearly as cheap as the Surface RT. Stay tuned!

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Jane McEntegart
17 Comments Comment from the forums
  • noblerabbit
    I am considering buying like a dozen of these Surface Tablets, in various colors of fashion and cosmetic , walking over to a building where really gorgeous women work at, and giving them each a free tablet, with some kind of App that lets them touch for virtual makeovers, and hope for an epic orgy ensures.

    What else are these useless toys for?? Can someone enlighten me Please?
    Reply
  • DRosencraft
    The first question I would have is when is Acer's 2013 Q2? It would then be interesting to see what features they will be throwing in to their devices. If they work by calendar year, Q2 could be anywhere between April and June. That seems a little late to hope to make a showing. Mind you, if Win8 or Surface do poorly, or even just underwhelming, it won't be a major problem. And it's not like the turnover rates in the phone ecosystem. But if you wait that long and just come out with something just like everything else already out, you're starting behind everyone who already have built a presence and name. Not saying they should jump in recklessly, but it would seem that waiting that long without at least one or two devices. Then again, if it doesn't work out, they'll look like geniuses who saved tons of money.
    Reply
  • safcmanfr
    noblerabbitI am considering buying like a dozen of these Surface Tablets, in various colors of fashion and cosmetic , walking over to a building where really gorgeous women work at, and giving them each a free tablet, with some kind of App that lets them touch for virtual makeovers, and hope for an epic orgy ensures.What else are these useless toys for?? Can someone enlighten me Please?

    Ah trolls, you gotta love 'em. well, maybe not.

    Office 2013 and full keyboard spring to mind.
    Reply
  • Office 2013 & a full keyboard are not what 90% of the public wants in a tablet.
    Reply
  • ddpruitt
    Bad sign for Microsoft if a major partner isn't launching with them. Let's see how they respond, they can either turn into the new Apple or go back to what their best at, Software.
    Reply
  • knott00
    ddpruittBad sign for Microsoft if a major partner isn't launching with them. Let's see how they respond, they can either turn into the new Apple or go back to what their best at, Software.I think their Surface is fantastic hardware. It's much better than anything Acer has ever released. And what's more, it looks cool too. Which is possibly more important given that the general public are only interested in things that are cool or trendy.

    pmhparisOffice 2013 & a full keyboard are not what 90% of the public wants in a tablet.a full keyboard is actually what has kept me from buying any of the tablets. I hate typing even short messages on my touch screen phone, so I wouldn't want to buy another touch screen device that would become my main source of media consumption. I also don't feel like any of the after market keyboards are really any kind of good solution to the problem. Microsoft is the first to come up with an elegant and acceptable solution IMO.
    Reply
  • bucknutty
    I would like a proper keyboard with my tablet.
    Reply
  • goodguy713
    well maybe i could see a use for a pro version .. how ever it would depend greatly on what kind of hardware specs they could put into it.. when it all boils over your basically looking at a portable laptop killer .. this i think is where it will end up .. microsoft like apple seem to be at war with the physical media devices of old .. kinda like a lord of the rings battle .. sure in rual places physical media disks are still very much needed and used but with the right internet and computer you can pretty much get all your movies and media on line .. i have a dvd / and a blue ray drive burner and havent used either one but like 4 times.. mostly to back up purchases that i cant get on my streaming services.
    Reply
  • warezme
    I think MS just shamed vendors like Acer with their crappy generic overpriced designs on their first try.
    Reply
  • john_4
    safcmanfrAh trolls, you gotta love 'em. well, maybe not. Office 2013 and full keyboard spring to mind.Yeah, go ahead and pay for MS Office, tool.
    Reply