Seriously, who is Windows RT for?

[ksdixon]

I am well aware that there are many people whom own laptops as nothing more than 'email/fb/youtube and watching media machines'. I have 7 of them in my family alone (2 parents, 3 brothers, 1 sister and the wife).

But these people already have older laptops which have full versions of WinVista/Win7 on them where are thus compatible with any 3rd party software. One example I can think of immediately is mobile phone-related software from apple, blackberry makers, nokia, samsung etc. for mounting phone sd cards or transferring music to and from phone.

So even they aren't going to want WinRT, which would restrict them to only using Office, IE, and desktop mode for viewing files (presumably played in Windows Media Player), and anything they download/buy from the Windows Store. They also have phones such as the Galaxy S3's or BlackBerrys, so having a touch screen device such as a tablet isn't a necessity.

I simply do not understand whom WinRT is aimed-at.
Even my family whom are mostly casual users, when they come to replace their current laptops, would want the Win8Pro version of the Surface tablet due to it's compatibility with their phone software.

 

[pparks1]

RT is aimed at all of those people who have elected tablets that are iOS based or Android based and use those as their preferred touch screen devices of choice for consumption today. Those people have given up on their Windows based software and seem to be just fine. MS wants a piece of that market.

 

[Coke Robot]

You kind of have an idea what Windows RT is aimed for. My thought line here deals with home and student use, as the Office version included is similar to Home and Student.

Basically, the tablets themselves are ARM based like the ipad. But unlike the ipad, it isn't a large ipod touch where it's based off a phone OS and Windows RT is Windows 8 for ARM. They offer stellar battery life and very thin and light form factors, so they're great for all day use. Some tablets like the Surface RT use NVIDIA's quad core Tegra processor, so HD video isn't a problem.

The actual use of one seems strange, but when you're talking to a person that does very casual things and probably doesn't have too many programs installed, 800+ dollars to have a combo PC/tablet device is too much. Windows RT tablets range theoretically from 300 to 700 dollars. Say if that person wants an ipad, but doesn't want to drop 500 for a large ipod that can't even print without a special kind of printer. And imagine if that person was shopping for a new PC 500 or under. That's part of the niche they're aiming for. It has an Office suite that is FAR, FAR, FAR superior than any 15 dollar trinckety app from an app store can do. It also has support for modern hardware from mice to keyboards to even newer printers out of the box. It's perfect for the casual user. Sure, you have to download apps from the Windows Store. But is that an actual bad thing, thousands of apps grouped and categorized together versus an anarchic internet searching for different apps? It's just easier for everyone. And unlike an ipad, you have FULL desktop style internet. I don't know about you, but having no Flash player and having to need mobile versions of websites render on a 10 screen is poppycock and blasphemous. What about copying music over to an external hard drive? Can't do that with an ipad and you can only do that with select android tablets which may or may not have USB support. Need BitLocker for the enterprise? Windows RT features a constant real time encryption of the tablet's SSD.

Now for the other side, the student. These days, it's commonplace to see high school students with their own laptops. I've worked on a few of thosee laptops, and I can guarantee that the no viruses claim of Windows RT will have some oomph. As they're on average 300 dollar less than x86 tablets, and come preloaded with Office 2013 and have a web browser faster and more secure than google chrome, that's a bargain for the parent buying their student one. Thin, light, and lasts all day. Not only high school students, but I'd imagine the college student has benefit to Windows RT tablets. Like I've already said, that applies to a college student. But that doesn't go to say that if they're needing CAD software, Windows RT will do it, it won't. Which is where x86 tablets come in, but that's not the point.

That's where Windows RT fits into the picture. WE may not have a single use for one, but that doesn't go to say that someone who travels often or has light needs or the student doesn't have a single use for one, because they do.


What phone software does your family use? I'm assuming android or iphone related software? If with a Windows Phone 8, compatibility is straight out the box.

 

[phailyoor]

tl;dr. Basically, for users who only need Office and IE desktop.

 

[snoop101]

Just wondering... Does RT have a desktop version of Internet explorer? Also, and heard whether any companies are going to port desktop apps to the RT desktop?

 

[pparks1]

Just wondering... Does RT have a desktop version of Internet explorer? Also, and heard whether any companies are going to port desktop apps to the RT desktop?

Microsoft isn't opening up the desktop environment to 3rd parties. It's for MS software only from my understanding.

 

[snoop101]

Just wondering... Does RT have a desktop version of Internet explorer? Also, and heard whether any companies are going to port desktop apps to the RT desktop?

Microsoft isn't opening up the desktop environment to 3rd parties. It's for MS software only from my understanding.

Wow... So RT has a desktop mode which (only) runs an ARM version office, correct? No desktop Internet explorer or any other programs besides office. wtf?

 

[Kebero]

Windows RT is also for enterprise scenarios where the in-house development team can create sandboxed, RT environment applications for use in scenarios where a tablet is preferable to a laptop or desktop. With the right application set, law enforcement could use Windows RT in police cruisers instead of the laptops they currently use. Medical RT applications could make Windows RT a good choice for hospitals. Windows RT is great for consumers who want a simple tablet, but would like the ability to use the basics of Microsoft Office. Windows RT is good for road warriors who can use the RT Remote Desktop application to connect to a Hyper-V, RemoteFX powered machine in the home office.

I can think of plenty of uses.

 

[Kat]

tl;dr. Basically, for users who only need Office and IE desktop.

Too long?

Took me all of 20 seconds to read.

IMO, there's no such thing as a post that's too
long, as long as it's relevant to the topic.

 

[Coke Robot]

Microsoft isn't allowing the Desktop for WinRT development or for Windows RT. Office 2013 is the only Desktop app. Why? I don't know for sure but speculation has it that the Office team couldn't make a full WinRT suite in time. It will be next time most likely. The Desktop remains for File Explorer and Desktop IE. The reason the Desktop isn't being developed on for RT is that Microsoft might be pushing away from Win32 and for WinRT appage.

 

[Kebero]

This is who Windows RT is for:

Interview: Pariscribe CEO talks about Windows 8 medical apps - Neowin

 

[phailyoor]

tl;dr. Basically, for users who only need Office and IE desktop.

Too long? Took me all of 20 seconds to read. IMO, there's no such thing as a post that's too long, as long as it's relevant to the topic.

Well, you must be a very fast reader if you read coke's wall of text in only 20 seconds. Have your considered using your speed-reading skills in the professional field?

 

[Kebero]

Also, see this: Survey: Half of US IT managers plan to standardize on Windows Phone 8 and Windows tablets | WMPoweruser

 

[R0bR]

For the enterprise you can setup Remote Apps with Windows Server 2012, so basically you can install Adobe CS on the server and access it from Windows RT tablet as if it was a desktop application. You can even connect to a VDI session if you want and basically have your own Windows 8 session remotely on your RT tablet. (Uh oh...did I just say that? Queue Jimbo. )

For consumers there are plenty of people that are looking for a consumption device or iPads wouldn't be selling in the millions. After working with computers all day the last thing I want is to sit on my couch with a laptop on my lap just to browse the web, access these forums or read some news.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

This is who Windows RT is for:

Interview: Pariscribe CEO talks about Windows 8 medical apps - Neowin

Great find Kebero! Thanks

To quote the article:

Finally, is there anything else you wish to say about Windows 8 and its upcoming launch?

Well, I would like to say hang on tight as this is going to be a fun and wild ride and get on-board before you are left standing in the dust. And be excited about how this is going to change how you work.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

For the enterprise you can setup Remote Apps with Windows Server 2012, so basically you can install Adobe CS on the server and access it from Windows RT tablet as if it was a desktop application. You can even connect to a VDI session if you want and basically have your own Windows 8 session remotely on your RT tablet. (Uh oh...did I just say that? Queue Jimbo. )

For consumers there are plenty of people that are looking for a consumption device or iPads wouldn't be selling in the millions. After working with computers all day the last thing I want is to sit on my couch with a laptop on my lap just to browse the web, access these forums or read some news.

Yes, you did say that! And very well, if I may add.

 

[Kebero]

Oh man, VDI with Server 2012 is amazing!

 

[HippsieGypsie]

I'm not a Pro, nor do I consider myself very savvy, but I was just reading up on VDI features.

Microsoft | Windows Server 2012 | Virtual Desktop Infrastructure | Features

Virtualization opens up a whole new world, doesn't it? And this makes for more use for a Pad, doesn't it? Wow!!

 

[R0bR]

I'm not a Pro, nor do I consider myself very savvy, but I was just reading up on VDI features.

Microsoft | Windows Server 2012 | Virtual Desktop Infrastructure | Features

Virtualization opens up a whole new world, doesn't it? And this makes for more use for a Pad, doesn't it? Wow!!

It's pretty cool stuff. I'm working on upgrading our vSphere infrastructure up to version 5 so that I can install some Windows Server 2012 VMs to start testing this. I should have my Surface RT by then too so that I can put it through it's paces with my test setup.

 

[Mystere]

I think RT is useful for anyone that doesn't need to run desktop apps on a tablet. That would be all the people that would otherwise buy an iPad or Android based tablet. Lots of people buy those, so there's certainly a market for them.

Of course those devices can't run Office, so RT has one advantage over iPads and Android Tablets (though you can run what amounts to iWork on an iPad)