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Yes, "RT" is a dumb name. But seriously, how is this a problem to consumers? Go to Best Buy, Future Shop, Radio Shack (The Source)...heck, even visit a Microso

Yes, "RT" is a dumb name. But seriously, how is this a problem to consumers? Go to Best Buy, Future Shop, Radio Shack (The Source)...heck, even visit a Microsoft store and ask the "horrific, unexplainable, daunting" question: "What is the difference between Windows RT and Windows? You will "shockingly" get a pretty simple answer: Windows for low-end devices, containing only the new interface and can only run apps available on the marketplace. I think we need to have a little more faith that consumers aren't complete morons, and if this little dilemma causes a major issue...well, it will probably save MS money because consumers will be calling Apple tech support instead. Edit: No complaints yet, but I'm not calling Apple consumers morons - I mean Apple doesn't have the obfuscated product line to confuse consumers.

codeonfire 14y ago
Once they learn that the only difference is that RT is the same except "feature limited", and that fully unlocked Win 8 tablets are available there will be problems. Yes, tech consumers are not stupid. Can any one at Microsoft explain if non-windows store apps can be installed and can the tablets be wiped of Win RT despite secure boot? If not why wouldn't they get an android tablet that can do those things?
deleted 14y ago
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freehunter 14y ago
Seriously, why not just answer with "Windows RT is Microsoft's tablet OS and Windows 8 is the replacement for Windows 7"? Consumers understand tablets. They understand their limitations. Consumers understand desktops. They know what they're getting into on each platform. It doesn't have to complicated. RT is iOS. 8 is OSX. Maybe the confusion will go away if you relate it to Apple's products?
- JimmaDaRustla 14y ago
  Because that is wrong! If you actually spent a moment or two looking at their lineup, you would know that there are tablets that will run full Windows 8. People need to be shaken, this has been the huge motive for Windows 8 all along - full OS on tablets. Windows RT is an unfortunate compromise for ARM processors.
  - freehunter 14y ago
    That doesn't change the fact that Windows RT is a direct competitor to iOS. Windows 8 might be different, but it's still the successor to Windows 7, meant to run on x86 machines. Sure it has a much nicer touch-centric UI that allows it to be put on tablets as well, but for the full traditional computing experience you'll still be pushed into the desktop. Windows 8 is not Windows 7, it's the next version of Windows. This brings changes like it always has. Windows RT is not a traditional PC OS, it's Windows 8 with the desktop cut out. It runs Windows 8 apps but not Windows 8 programs. The easy way to say it is, Windows 8 is the successor to Windows 7, and Windows RT is a tablet OS. I'm not seeing how my statement is wrong. Trust me, I like Windows 8 just as much as you seem to. Check my comment history to see for yourself. But the question is "how do we explain it easily to a clueless customer?" and the answer is "by not getting bogged down in semantics that would turn a clueless customer away." People will see once they start using it, the hard part is getting them to start using it.
gpvos 14y ago
People are not going to ask that question, because calling it Windows suggests that it is compatible with earlier versions of Windows. Maybe calling it "Windows for Tablets" or some such would work, but that name is a bit cumbersome. Other variants that I can think of sound too negative.
- JimmaDaRustla 14y ago
  It's not "Windows for Tablets" because full Windows 8 will be available on tablets, specifically Surface Pro from Microsoft's lineup. You're the second person to reply saying that.

codeonfire 14y ago

Once they learn that the only difference is that RT is the same except "feature limited", and that fully unlocked Win 8 tablets are available there will be problems. Yes, tech consumers are not stupid. Can any one at Microsoft explain if non-windows store apps can be installed and can the tablets be wiped of Win RT despite secure boot? If not why wouldn't they get an android tablet that can do those things?

deleted 14y ago

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freehunter 14y ago

Seriously, why not just answer with "Windows RT is Microsoft's tablet OS and Windows 8 is the replacement for Windows 7"? Consumers understand tablets. They understand their limitations. Consumers understand desktops. They know what they're getting into on each platform. It doesn't have to complicated. RT is iOS. 8 is OSX. Maybe the confusion will go away if you relate it to Apple's products?

JimmaDaRustla 14y ago
Because that is wrong! If you actually spent a moment or two looking at their lineup, you would know that there are tablets that will run full Windows 8. People need to be shaken, this has been the huge motive for Windows 8 all along - full OS on tablets. Windows RT is an unfortunate compromise for ARM processors.
- freehunter 14y ago
  That doesn't change the fact that Windows RT is a direct competitor to iOS. Windows 8 might be different, but it's still the successor to Windows 7, meant to run on x86 machines. Sure it has a much nicer touch-centric UI that allows it to be put on tablets as well, but for the full traditional computing experience you'll still be pushed into the desktop. Windows 8 is not Windows 7, it's the next version of Windows. This brings changes like it always has. Windows RT is not a traditional PC OS, it's Windows 8 with the desktop cut out. It runs Windows 8 apps but not Windows 8 programs. The easy way to say it is, Windows 8 is the successor to Windows 7, and Windows RT is a tablet OS. I'm not seeing how my statement is wrong. Trust me, I like Windows 8 just as much as you seem to. Check my comment history to see for yourself. But the question is "how do we explain it easily to a clueless customer?" and the answer is "by not getting bogged down in semantics that would turn a clueless customer away." People will see once they start using it, the hard part is getting them to start using it.

gpvos 14y ago

People are not going to ask that question, because calling it Windows suggests that it is compatible with earlier versions of Windows. Maybe calling it "Windows for Tablets" or some such would work, but that name is a bit cumbersome. Other variants that I can think of sound too negative.

JimmaDaRustla 14y ago
It's not "Windows for Tablets" because full Windows 8 will be available on tablets, specifically Surface Pro from Microsoft's lineup. You're the second person to reply saying that.