An Asus chairman stated that Windows RT version, the mobile Windows 8 version running on ARM CPUs hasn't lived up to its expectations. According to Chief Branding Officer of Asus, Jonney Shih, Microsoft underestimates how many people still use old Windows applications. Shih also thinks Microsoft underestimates how Windows users are familiar with the old start menu. He made the statements in an interview with AllThingsD.
When asked about the Asus Windows RT device, the VivoTab RT, Shih said that the sales numbers were disappointing. According Shih Microsoft is to blame as the company made mistakes with Windows RT. To underline his statement he referred to the large popularity of Windows 8 start menu applications. These applications can be installed on Windows 8 devices and bring back the start menu as found in previous versions of Windows According to Shih most people also want to run classic Windows applications something that's impossible in RT.
Asus no longer focusses on Windows RT devices running on ARM CPUs and instead focuses on devices with Intel CPUs running the full regular version of Windows 8. Asus isn't the only manufacturer that criticizes Windows RT, Toshiba decided to stop development of their RT tablets at an early stage, Acer announced it doesn't see a bright future for Windows RT devices.
Microsoft's own RT tablet, the Surface RT, also doesn't do well. The manufacturer had to significantly lower the price of the device and during the presentation of its quarterly figures it became clear the company had to write off $900 million on stocks of the device.
Despite the disappointing sales figures there are rumors that Microsoft is working on an improved version of the Surface RT, running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800-soc. The company reportedly also plans to release Surface tablets with smaller screen sizes.
