In response to low sales of the failing Windows RT operating system, Microsoft is reportedly cutting the price of some of the smaller tablets that utilize the Windows RT software.
Windows RT rolled out in October of 2012 as a mobile optimized variant of the Windows 8 operating system. Utilizing the ARM architecture, Windows RT is only available as a preloaded bit of software on Windows devices. Unfortunately, despite small olive branches by Microsoft to make the OS a viable competitor, like the inclusion of a special version of Office 2013, consumers weren't thrilled with the OS. It is a more handicapped version of the Windows 8 experience lacking some significant software such as Windows Media Player and isn't compatible with as many desktops. Devices that carry Windows RT are experiencing low sales.
It isn't yet clear how much Microsoft plans to reduce the cost by. Pricing talks are confidential and so no one even knows how much Microsoft charges hardware makers for Windows RT software. However, hardware makers haven't been experiencing too much success with the OS. Back in April many computer companies started slashing the prices of their RT-based tablets. The hope was that the price would go low enough for consumers to buy them so that they could clear out their stock.
DigitalTech reports Dell's 32 GB XPS 10 tablet, which used the Windows RT OS, began at $500 but was marked down to $450. The XPS had its price cut again in May to $299.99. ASUS' VivoTab RT was faced with a similar fate as its price was nearly cut in half, from $599 to $382.
It would seem likely that hardware companies are not looking to factor Windows RT into their future plans. The hope now for Microsoft seems to be damage control as it looks to unload the remaining products that carry Windows RT onto the public so that they can start fresh with something else.
