…but ARM based RT devices may be in trouble.
Yesterday Digitimes put up an article claiming that Microsoft is planning on discontinuing the Surface line of tablets.
Usually, Microsoft ignores rumors and stays quiet but, the same day, Microsoft published a post on the Microsoft Surface Blog clearly stating that they were committed to the Surface Pro 3. The following quote from Microsoft’s CEO sums it up pretty succinctly…
“We believe a strength of the Microsoft platform for enterprise is the rich ecosystem of hardware and applications developed by our partners, the community at large, and some of our own teams at Microsoft. In particular with Microsoft Surface Pro 3 we are now offering an enterprise-class device that can deliver great end user productivity. Microsoft is putting its full and sustained support behind the ongoing Surface program as one of a number of great hardware choices for businesses large and small.” – Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO
In the same statement, Microsoft also said that they are planning on improving support for businesses who adopt Surface Pro 3 tablets and plainly state that it will support the upcoming Windows 10 release.
So, there you go, straight from the horse’s……. mouth; the Surface Pro 3 is here to stay.
On the topic of Windows RT:
Unfortunately, at no point in yesterday’s blog article did Microsoft talk about the ARM-based Windows RT devices like the Surface RT or Surface 2.
On the flip side, there have been some new rumors saying Microsoft plans to roll out a Surface 3 and/or a revised Surface Mini.
In her post on CNet about this subject, Mary Jo Foley said that she hasn’t heard any supporting evidence about the Surface 3 or Surface Mini. She actually claimed that she heard from one of her contacts that they were going to kill the ARM-based line to focus on the Intel processor models (like the Surface Pro 3). She admits, though, there’s only one person saying that to her.
So, what does all that mean?
Frankly, it means no one outside of Microsoft really knows anything for sure so, we’re all just going to have to wait and see what Microsoft actually does.
I can tell you that Joanna loves her Surface 2 and she would be very disappointed if the ARM-based processor line was axed. I don’t know how much pull we have but… Satya, if you’re reading this, go ahead with the Surface 3 and/or Surface Mini.
What do you think? Should Microsoft keep around both models or drop the ARM in favor of the Intel models?
You may also like our post from September titled Is The Surface Line Of Tablets in Trouble?
Tim
