Nvidia behind Windows RT with plans to launch multiple tablets

Dave LeClair

Posts: 75   +1

nvidia windows arm windows 8 windows rt tablet

Nvidia believes in Windows RT and plans to keep making Tegra ARM-based processors for the operating system going forward. Even in spite of lackluster sales, especially when compared to other models on the market, the company thinks that the platform is heading in the same direction in which things are moving. 

In the first quarter of 2013, only 200,000 Windows RT tablets shipped, which represents only 0.4% of the 49.2 million devices shipped overall. When asked about those low sales figures in an interview with ComputerWorld, Rene Haas, Nvidia's vice president of computing products said, "We're not discouraged by the start and very, very excited going forward." 

Nvidia is not the first mobile processor manufacturer to express faith in Windows RT, as just last week a Qualcomm executive expressed almost the same sentiments in regards to Microsoft's tablets.

Haas is particularly happy with Windows RT's long battery life and lightweight form factor, which he says makes them ideal for future generations of mobile users. He goes on to say that multiple models will run on next-generation Tegra 4 processors. Of course, he would not name them or speak on when they will hit the market. 

Haas also talks about how Microsoft can improve sales for Windows RT models -- namely, bringing more applications to the devices. "The faster that growth continues, the better for the overall platform, but we're in the first inning of this ballgame and it's not over by any means," Haas said.

Support from the likes of Nvidia is certianly important, but unless there's a sharp increase in sales soon, Windows RT's future in the market looks uncertain. Unlike the x86 version, RT does not run traditional Windows apps, which has led to consumer confusion over why one should own an RT at all. This is a hurdle Microsoft needs to overcome if it wants to become a force in the iOS and Android dominated market.

Permalink to story.

 
Over this past weekend Staple.com sold the ASUS Windows 8 RT for $99.99 on clearance! It was a brief sale but since most had picked up more than one or several less in 10 mins they were sold out on clearance price. I wasn't lucky to buy two of them.

Windows RT Tablets are around but the prices or over bloated for this tablet.
 
If they could sell them for $99 for the low end I think that would really help it take off...Microsoft needs to do something like that..The more people who have them the more developers will create APPS and that's what Microsoft desperately needs if they want Windows 8 Metro to succeed.
 
Back