Windows RT is the key to Microsoft's transformation.

Computer store news: Although the Windows RT system bears the nickname of “castration version”, the market performance is quite decadent, but in the long run, its existence is actually Microsoft's strategic development has played a key role. PCWorld, a foreign technology media, published a related review article detailing the importance of Windows RT for Microsoft's transformation. The viewpoint is quite unique. Let's take a look at it. The following is the full text:

Windows RT products are hit by the market

Obviously, the Windows RT system is born with flaws. Using the ARM processor architecture instead of the traditional X86, the device with Windows RT can only run the touchpad's Modern interface, and the familiar Windows desktop that users are familiar with disappears without a trace. In addition to these technical limitations, the Windows App Store's lack of power has also made this system gradually overlooked. The number of applications is small, the quality is average, and the usability is not as good as desktop software. These reasons lead consumers to not be interested in Windows RT system. According to IDC's survey report, shipments of Windows RT devices in the first quarter of 2013 were only 200,000 units, most of which were also from Microsoft's own Surface RT tablets.

As Windows RT devices have been greeted by the market and consumers, many hardware vendors have gradually stopped developing related devices. As for software, big-name game studios have basically ignored Microsoft, and Apple has recently abandoned the idea of ​​porting iTubes to the Windows 8/RT Modern interface. Of course, at CES, Taipei Computer Show and even Microsoft's own Build 2013 conference, there is basically no news about Windows RT.

However, although bad news has followed, there is one thing that cannot be denied: even if the RT version of the tablet product fails, the impact on the Windows tablet is huge and positive.

Windows RT promotes the emergence of low-power processors

Well-known technology analyst Trick · Moorehead said: "For Microsoft, Windows RT will be a Long-term investment strategy. & rdquo; This long-term strategy has had a certain impact at present, of course, part of the reason is also caused by the success of ARM chips in the field of mobile devices. Simply put, although battery life is not everything on smartphones and tablets, it is definitely an important factor affecting user choice; but Intel and AMD are basically unable to compete with ARM in this area. For example, a hybrid design tablet with Intel Core processor can only achieve about 5 hours of Windows 8 usage time when it is first launched, while Android tablets and Apple iPads with ARM standard chips can basically achieve 8 hours. Endurance.

In the personal computer field, the operating system has always led the innovation of hardware components such as processors. The role of Windows RT is. After Microsoft first released the Windows RT system, Intel realized the importance of chipset power consumption, or said that Microsoft announced that it had cooperated with ARM and brought some sense of crisis to Intel. Since then, Intel has released its X86-based "Clover Trail", a series of Atom processors that provide up to eight hours of battery life for tablets running Windows 8.

AMD and Intel both made a fuss about low power consumption

More interesting thing is that Intel's Haswell chip and "Silvermont" treatment And AMD's actions in the mobile arena, both in terms of performance and low power consumption. Yes, without Windows RT, maybe we wouldn't use the Windows hybrid design PC or tablet for a long standby.

How will WinRT applications help Windows RT?

Despite the seemingly bleak future, Windows RT will still play an important role in the future Windows ecosystem. Yes, I mean the Windows Store. At the Build 2013 conference, Microsoft has made a lot of speeches and forward-looking around the Windows ecosystem. An extremely important signal is that the Modern interface application using WinRT architecture will be integrated into the Windows ecosystem in the future, whether in the future. Both the X86 architecture and the ARM architecture can run well, which will greatly enhance the enthusiasm of application developers.

Future Windows Phone will share WinRT software resources

In other words, the Modern interface application will be able to run on a range of hardware devices, even Windows Phone, which will Help Microsoft to build an integrated Windows ecosystem based on the Modern interface. At present, every Windows 8 system includes a Modern interface. In fact, consumers have been forced to use the Windows RT system. At the same time, the new software operation mechanism focuses developers' attention on the software of the Win RT architecture, instead of Traditional desktop software, so the content in the Windows App Store will grow rapidly, and a large number of traditional desktop applications will be added to the Modern interface.

As I said before, Microsoft is promoting the Windows Store. At present, there are already some big-name applications, including Facebook, Flipboard and Foursquare. Microsoft has also developed a Modern interface Office application and demonstrated it at the Build 2013 conference. In a way, Microsoft has blocked the Modern interface of Windows RT from the beginning and gradually weakened the importance of traditional Windows desktops.

Of course, the traditional Windows desktop does not disappear immediately, which requires a gradual process, but it is not difficult to see Microsoft's determination. Even the latest Windows 8.1 system seems to be a small compromise. Although Microsoft has brought back some elements of traditional desktops, it is still pushing the modern interface and simplifying the operating system as the general direction, gradually getting users out of the traditional desktop. Dependence.

So during this period, although Windows RT may be difficult to appear in a separate system, it is undoubtedly an important element in mobilizing traditional Windows computers, towards more durable usage time and better cross-platform Compatibility is developing in a big direction. Then, whether the user will completely accept the Modern interface on one day and abandon the traditional Windows usage habits will also determine the future of Windows RT.