Acer delays Windows RT offerings, fears Surface

Shelving what it described as an "aggressive" product schedule, Acer is delaying the launch of its Windows RT offerings until Q2 of 2013. This news comes for Acer President Jim Wong who cites Microsoft's Surface tablet as the reason, in this interview conducted by Reuters. "Because of Surface... we are much more cautious," claims Wong.

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A Guy
 
I find this inexcusable on Acer's behalf. Seriously right now, Microsoft built a tablet far superior and looks and feels great. It also doesn't have crapware that would be associated with Acer PCs. And, it's just the neatest looking Windows tablet out there by FAR. All this for the price of 500 dollars. I once read that it doesn't cost too much to build the Surface RT and Microsoft is making money off of it.

If Acer actually has to go back to the drawing board for such a simple tablet running Windows RT, with low powered and low cost ARM hardware, they're drunk and need to go home.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I've seen the ASUS RT tablets advertised in fliers for the 599 that article mentions. The exact same tablet with Android on it is only 399 dollars. 200 dollars more just to get Windows RT on the same hardware? That's nuts! :confused:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I find this inexcusable on Acer's behalf. Seriously right now, Microsoft built a tablet far superior and looks and feels great. It also doesn't have crapware that would be associated with Acer PCs. And, it's just the neatest looking Windows tablet out there by FAR. All this for the price of 500 dollars. I once read that it doesn't cost too much to build the Surface RT and Microsoft is making money off of it.

If Acer actually has to go back to the drawing board for such a simple tablet running Windows RT, with low powered and low cost ARM hardware, they're drunk and need to go home.

I wonder what the OEM Windows RT install fee is? Last I heard it was around 80, though that is just a rumor.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
I find this inexcusable on Acer's behalf. Seriously right now, Microsoft built a tablet far superior and looks and feels great. It also doesn't have crapware that would be associated with Acer PCs. And, it's just the neatest looking Windows tablet out there by FAR. All this for the price of 500 dollars. I once read that it doesn't cost too much to build the Surface RT and Microsoft is making money off of it.

If Acer actually has to go back to the drawing board for such a simple tablet running Windows RT, with low powered and low cost ARM hardware, they're drunk and need to go home.

Really...LOL

90% of consumers don't have a clue about the difference between Windows RT and Windows 8...

MS putting out a Windows RT tablet BEFORE a Windows 8 Pro tablet is going to be a disaster for them...

Anyone buying a Windows RT tablet will just assume it's ready to take home and do some work
like they do on their laptop/desktop....isn't going to happen....

read this before you hammer Acer and others...they have seen what alraedy is happening to
early buyers (can you say refunds because it's not what they expect) and will wait IMO..

Are Microsoft Store employees misleading customers about Windows RT?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    viewpad10
    CPU
    intel atom 455
    Memory
    2GB
You can actually get a Windows RT tablet and do some work, if a majority of your work entails Office, which for many consumers and typical people and students, that mostly it. Heck, that's the prime reason why one would by Windows RT tablets: Office.

I do find it strange though that the RT tablets are priced high, like with the ASUS Vivo RT tablet. It's basically the Transformer but with Windows RT on it and costs about 200 more. I read that the keyboard dock is free if you buy the tablet until December 31st from ASUS. I call BS on the pricing structure on Windows tablet PCs altogether. I think it's because the OEMs are trying to make the argument that their tablets are the best of both a PC and a tablet, in a nice feature rich package. To buy a decent tablet (ipad) and a decent laptop (one that is about 600 dollars), it would cost less to buy a Windows 8 tablet PC. You have two in one. Honestly it's decent argument to make, but gee. 800 for an Atom powered tablet? Methinks not. But a 1,000 for an i5 powered tablet? Maybe?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Lol, the Surface, you can't even use it on the road as it as no HSPA, a $ 300 Nexus 7 have one and a GPS too.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
Between their constant whining and cheap feeling products, who cares.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7, Windows 8 RP
You can actually get a Windows RT tablet and do some work, if a majority of your work entails Office, which for many consumers and typical people and students, that mostly it. Heck, that's the prime reason why one would by Windows RT tablets: Office.

I do find it strange though that the RT tablets are priced high, like with the ASUS Vivo RT tablet. It's basically the Transformer but with Windows RT on it and costs about 200 more. I read that the keyboard dock is free if you buy the tablet until December 31st from ASUS. I call BS on the pricing structure on Windows tablet PCs altogether. I think it's because the OEMs are trying to make the argument that their tablets are the best of both a PC and a tablet, in a nice feature rich package. To buy a decent tablet (ipad) and a decent laptop (one that is about 600 dollars), it would cost less to buy a Windows 8 tablet PC. You have two in one. Honestly it's decent argument to make, but gee. 800 for an Atom powered tablet? Methinks not. But a 1,000 for an i5 powered tablet? Maybe?

you can get an ARM tablet with Android to do all that for under $300...so why would you get Windows RT
@$500+ for it.......
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    viewpad10
    CPU
    intel atom 455
    Memory
    2GB
I couldn't imagine trying to use a surface tablet as a computer replacement. Do you people not have lots of data, run vms, play games, use multiple monitors, have mechanical keyboards that are awesome to type on, connect to nice speaker systems, rip music and movies, and run multiple apps together on the screen at the same time? Guess not, if you feel a tablet could be a 2 in 1 best bet.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
You can actually get a Windows RT tablet and do some work, if a majority of your work entails Office, which for many consumers and typical people and students, that mostly it. Heck, that's the prime reason why one would by Windows RT tablets: Office.

I do find it strange though that the RT tablets are priced high, like with the ASUS Vivo RT tablet. It's basically the Transformer but with Windows RT on it and costs about 200 more. I read that the keyboard dock is free if you buy the tablet until December 31st from ASUS. I call BS on the pricing structure on Windows tablet PCs altogether. I think it's because the OEMs are trying to make the argument that their tablets are the best of both a PC and a tablet, in a nice feature rich package. To buy a decent tablet (ipad) and a decent laptop (one that is about 600 dollars), it would cost less to buy a Windows 8 tablet PC. You have two in one. Honestly it's decent argument to make, but gee. 800 for an Atom powered tablet? Methinks not. But a 1,000 for an i5 powered tablet? Maybe?

you can get an ARM tablet with Android to do all that for under $300...so why would you get Windows RT
@$500+ for it.......

One word: Office.

Besides, android is such a sickly OS. If I'm going to spending money on a tablet, I'm not buying a neutered smartphone OS on a 10 inch screen. I'm buying a tablet PC that can actually support thousands of different devices out of the box.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I couldn't imagine trying to use a surface tablet as a computer replacement. Do you people not have lots of data, run vms, play games, use multiple monitors, have mechanical keyboards that are awesome to type on, connect to nice speaker systems, rip music and movies, and run multiple apps together on the screen at the same time? Guess not, if you feel a tablet could be a 2 in 1 best bet.

I do. Except for the multiple monitors and ripping music.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I couldn't imagine trying to use a surface tablet as a computer replacement. Do you people not have lots of data, run vms, play games, use multiple monitors, have mechanical keyboards that are awesome to type on, connect to nice speaker systems, rip music and movies, and run multiple apps together on the screen at the same time? Guess not, if you feel a tablet could be a 2 in 1 best bet.

Obviously you're not talking about the Surface RT or any RT device but you seem to be generalizing. You can't group everyone's computer use into one category and expect Surface Pro to be an easy replacement, just like an ultrabook or laptop wouldn't be a replacement to a desktop in certain situations. The question is can the Surface Pro be a replacement in certain situations? yes it can. I've done everything that you list above on my personal laptop and the specs on the Surface Pro are much better than what I currently have so I don't see why not. If you're a heavy gamer then obviously there is no replacement for a gaming rig but like I said everyone's situation is different.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7, Windows 8 RP
Besides, android is such a sickly OS. .
I agree, I hate Android. for now I'm using a iPad and will probably stick with it as no Metro apps really attract me, and the only tablet that look interesting for me is the Surface, but without HSPA+...it's a no go. Word, well I don't see myself using word or Excel on a such small device, I need my big screen and my keyboard.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
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