Microsoft Surface RT tablet since its launch, sales have been unsatisfactory.Microsoft in the end how to save it then? Upgrade the operating system to Windows 8.1 or upgrade the hardware to the Surface RT 2.0 can only play a limited role, perhaps the most effective way is to cancel the Windows desktop version.
According to foreign "Bloomberg Business Week" Web site reported that Microsoft's Surface RT is no longer expect the company's best-selling product, which is not surprising. Last month, Microsoft will cut the price of Surface RT $ 100, and $ 900 million asset write-downs. And last week, the market research firm IDC released its second-quarter tablet sales statistics, sales of the top five brands in the result but not Microsoft's sight.
1. Microsoft Surface RT should throw in the towel on it, or the launch of an upgraded version of a comeback?
A few weeks ago, I installed Windows 8.1 Surface RT beta version, you start thinking about this issue. And when I read last month, IDC estimated that Windows RT tablet sold only 200,000 units of the news, I thought of this question.
In this sales figure, Surface RT accounted for only a small part, because there are other vendors selling Windows RT tablet PCs, such as Dell , Acer and Asus. But earlier this month, ASUS has announced that no sale of Windows RT tablet.Previously, Samsung, Hewlett-Packard and other manufacturers are starting to give up or abandon announced the upcoming Windows RT.
On Wednesday, Microsoft announced that it will on October 18 worldwide launch Windows 8.1. For existing Surface RT users, this is a good news, because according to my experience, the upgraded operating system improves Surface RT user experience. It made some adjustments, fixes some vulnerabilities, improve some performance. In addition, it contains a Windows RT version of Outlook, in my limited testing, the application runs very normal.
2. Upgrade to Windows 8.1 only enough to reverse the Surface RT sales situation.
Microsoft has not yet officially announced the launch of Surface RT hardware upgrade. However, if it did, it is likely to boost sales. In fact, I really like the current Surface RT style and workmanship: its mass is very light, the battery life is very long and has a good keyboard selection. However, overall, it is somewhat lagging behind the speed of response. Surface RT compared to last year, when Microsoft can now get a faster chip.
The appearance of the equipment does not require a major adjustment, but only need to improve the internal structure. If Microsoft is able to think within the device configuration Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chip, then its 32G version of the price lowered to $ 299, then this product will be on the consumer a tremendous impact. Its screen resolution from 1366 x 768 to upgrade to full HD is also a good choice, but if it means prices will exceed $ 299, I suggest to give up for good.
3. Microsoft how to do it? Cancel the Windows desktop version.
I understand, Windows Desktop Edition is Microsoft's main product, but I think it's more harm than good. From a user experience point of view, in order to use Office software and IE browser, the user has to touch-type and fresh from the Metro mode to jump to the old-fashioned desktop environment, which make people feel very uncomfortable. Microsoft should try to build the next generation of Surface RT tablet Metro version of Office.
Cancel your Windows desktop version of Windows RT also help to improve the degree of recognition. None of the Windows desktop appears, people will not ask this question: "I was able to install the Surface RT what legacy Windows applications?" From the branding perspective, Microsoft might think fragmented legacy applications and Windows no good. However, if it wants to create a new Windows, cut off contact with earlier versions will be more favorable.
4. Surface RT where the value?
Surface RT failed biggest reason: Microsoft does not make enough people believe that the value of this product. In addition Surface RT, Microsoft also introduced the same price, configure Intel Atom chip, equipped with the full version of Windows 8 tablet. In January this year, I pointed out that in testing these products: When you can buy the full version of Windows 8, you will go to buy "half-page" Windows 8 do?
These product features and battery life with the Surface RT roughly the same, but the difference is that they also support traditional Windows applications. Why do we go to buy Surface RT it? Integration in Microsoft Office software products is a good choice, but Microsoft mistakenly believe that this is an added value.
If we say that one must have an integrated Microsoft Office Tablet PC, then why are many other more expensive than the tablet PC sales Surface RT is good?This is because of the need to install Office on a Tablet PC user, after all, a minority, that is to say, Office only a small part of the Tablet PC users is a value-added.
In addition, other platform provides some well-known applications, has not yet appeared on the Surface RT, which also can not raise Surface RT value. Now, this situation is changing, as Foursquare, Rhapsody, Flipboard and Facebook are ready to support the Surface RT platform. In addition, Windows RT tablet is not the preferred platform for application developers. However, I believe that, in addition to application problems, Surface RT have bigger problems to solve.
In the Surface RT using Windows 8.1, I think Microsoft's product is very suitable for this particular user, and highly competitive - as long as it's price is right, the performance of the market is not lost on other tablets.