Toshiba pulls out of Windows RT tablet push
Can't get the parts, apparently
Toshiba today backtracked on its decision to produce Windows RT tablets. It blamed the move on a delay in receiving key components.
The manufacturer had previously announced its intent to make Surface-style slates with ARM-derived processors from Texas Instruments. However, after struggling to obtain certain parts, which it did not name, Toshiba has turned its back on Windows RT for now.
Pique that Microsoft is to release its own tablets in direct competition with vendors like Toshiba? Not a bit of it, the Japanese manufacturer insisted.
“Toshiba has decided not to introduce Windows RT models due to delayed components that would make a timely launch impossible,” admitted company spokesman Eric Paulsen in an statement.
“For the time being, Toshiba will focus on bringing Windows 8 products to market. We will continue to look into the possibility of Windows RT products in the future while monitoring market conditions,” he added.
Toshiba's decision could be seen as a blow to Microsoft's tablet domination plans. This week several other manufacturers came forth to show support for the Windows-on-ARM platform. Toshiba was notable for its absence. So was HP, but it has said in the recent past that it isn't interested in Windows 8 RT, only the x86 version.
Dell, Lenovo and Samsung joined Asus on the list of third-party hardware producers with Windows RT tablets in the works, despite discontent among some of Microsoft's other PC makers over its decision to furnish own-brand fondleslabs. ®
COMMENTS
" It blamed the move on a delay in receiving key components." -- The key component being a working and desirable operating system. XD
In the mean time
Roll up your sleeves, Toshiba, and start working seriously on Android tablets. Doing this will guarantee you will be the only master of your own destiny. Otherwise you'll end up in the same position you are now, an obedient follower of the Microsoft wagon.
It's not the operating system
The parts that Toshiba is waiting on are not the operating system.
The parts Toshiba are waiting are flat, made from cotton rag, green-ish, have pictures of dead presidents on them, and are shipped from Microsoft's bribery and extortion^W^W^WMarketing and advertisement group.
Well, I can't think what the other parts would be.
ARM Processors? Licensed out to dozens of manufacturers and all pretty compatible.
Tablet-specific parts (screens, touchscreens, accelerometers, whatever)? People are going mad for tablets at the moment, and any shortage wouldn't hit "just" Toshiba.
Batteries? Same.
Memory / storage? Same.
Does Windows RT need some sort of specialised "RT-only" chip? Like a TPM or similar? Maybe that's it.
Or maybe it was just a case of "it's not taking off like we thought it might, let's find an excuse to bug out and concentrate efforts elsewhere".
It's either the OS, or a complete backing out of the project for other reasons than that stated. Can't say I would blame them either way, to be honest. Dead-horse floggers tend not to survive very long in business.
Re: I'm surprised that any OEM would still want to make Windows RT devices now
Simple answer, their brains were severely affected by decades of working for Microsoft. Like any slave, they can't show much creativity since they were never allowed to do it. So they will produce Windows RT devices because they don't know what else they could do.
