HP Not Pursuing Windows RT Tablets, For Now

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1 Jul, 2012 7:30 pm

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HP has put plans to produce an Windows RT tablet based on an ARM processor on hold and is instead choosing to focus on Windows 8 tablets running on Intel’s X86 platform. According to HP, its customers have said that they prefer to have access to their legacy x86 apps, rather than be forced to buy new apps to run on the Windows RT platform.

Windows RT is likely to cause confusion in the marketplace because it looks exactly like Windows 8 on x86. The thing is that it’s not it is an entirely new mobile OS that requires all-new apps to be developed for it.

The advantage of having a mobile OS running on ARM is the devices are generally much lighter and have better battery life than those running on x86 and could compete with Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android tablets on a more even footing. But it won’t offer multi window multitasking and will be less robust then what you would get on X86.

Looks like Microsoft better watch out, you can’t go around pissing off your partners. It is rumored that HP was looking into ARM based tablets two weeks ago and after seeing Surface have scrapped these plans.

Via PCMAG


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  • CyberGusa

    “Looks like Microsoft better watch out, you can’t go around pissing off
    your partners. It is rumored that HP was looking into ARM based tablets
    two weeks ago and after seeing Surface have scrapped these plans.”

    Oh, like trying to push their own WebOS and even considering selling their PC division didn’t tick MS off?

    Sorry but companies ticking each other off is nothing new and all this talk of angering partners is clearly being exaggerated.

    Sure they probably don’t like it but the facts are that all business are in it for their bottom line and the bottom line is whether or not their partners help them make money and MS coming out with Surface doesn’t change the fact that most of HP’s profits are from systems they sell with Windows installed on them!

    Just like how Apple still buys parts from Samsung despite Samsung making competitive products. They don’t have to like each other to do business with each other!

    Besides, it’s not like everyone thinks that Windows RT will be a smashing success. Remember it’s more locked down than Windows 8, won’t support legacy apps, won’t have bit locker, won’t let anyone develop 3rd party desktop apps for it, is rumored to be priced just as much as Windows 8 with the inclusion of MS Office and Student 2013 RT being the only consolation.

    All of which you can add to HP’s murky history with ARM products with their failed WebOS efforts and even delaying their ARM server products in favor of ATOM based solution instead. So there’s little doubt that HP has been dealing with doubts for some time and they’re no longer a company that takes many risks.

    Never mind if HP really wanted to make a point all they had to do was switch from Windows RT to Android. While continuing to make the x86 Windows 8 tablet clearly shows they aren’t dropping MS.

    While also no one really knows how far MS will be taking the Surface tablets. For now we don’t even know pricing and the fact they’re only introducing two models that don’t cover the mid range and full Enterprise side of the market.

    Meanwhile, this is good news for Intel and AMD with less competition from ARM in the desktop OS space. While other companies like Asus will also have less competition to worry about for Windows RT based tablets.

    Mind also HP isn’t saying they won’t ever come out with a Windows RT tablet, just that they’re putting it off for now.

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