Windows RT vs Windows 8: Which Surface for work?

Windows RT vs Windows 8: Which Surface for work?

So, you want a Windows tablet for work. What's the difference between the Surface with Windows RT and the Surface with Windows 8 Pro?

 

The big question for anyone buying Microsoft's new Surface tablet is whether to get the version with Windows RT (prices announced yesterday), or the Surface with Windows 8 Pro.
 
There are a number of things to consider, including how important battery life is to you (the RT version should in theory have the edge in terms of battery life) and how complex the programs are that you need to run (Surface with Windows 8 Pro will have a big lead here). And remember, there are other brands bringing out Windows 8 tablets, including Dell, Lenovo and HP.
 
Surface with Windows RT ships with a version of Windows 8 called RT. If you're considering the Surface for work, think of Windows RT as being a tablet-specific version of Windows 8.
 
So what do you miss out on by going with Windows RT? The big one is the ability to run programs designed for Windows 7 or earlier versions of Windows. You can add programs, but only from the Windows Store - like the iPad and its App Store.
 
Windows RT also leaves out a few Windows 8 features like
  • Windows Media Player
  • Windows Media Center
  • HomeGroup creation (you can join an existing HomeGroup but you can't create a new one),
  • Remote Desktop
  • The ability to join a network domain.
It does come with Office Home and Student 2013 so you can get work done but the license is only for not for profit use.
 
This is by no means an exhaustive summary of the topic, but if you're considering getting your first Windows tablet then the above points are worth thinking about.

Source: Copyright © BIT (Business IT). All rights reserved.

See more about:  windows  |  rt  |  windows 8  |  surface  |  tablets
 
 

Readers of this article also read...

HP's ElitePad 900: how it's different to the Surface Pro 

HP's ElitePad 900: how it's different to the Surface Pro

 
Buying a laptop or tablet in 2013: handy 60-second breakdown of all the options 

Buying a laptop or tablet in 2013: handy 60-second breakdown of all the options

 
New Kira Ultrabook will make you "salivate", claims Toshiba 

New Kira Ultrabook will make you "salivate", claims Toshiba

 
No IT training, but you handle the IT at work? Give yourself a pat on the back 

No IT training, but you handle the IT at work? Give yourself a pat on the back

 
This is Lenovo's ThinkPad Helix side by side with an Apple iPad 

This is Lenovo's ThinkPad Helix side by side with an Apple iPad

 
Get our free eBook!
Join thousands of others! Get our latest free guides and tech basics delivered to your email inbox and get our FREE 32-page eBook to prepare you for the NBN!
The NBN Toolkit

Latest Comments

Latest Poll

BIT is launching an iPad app. Would you find it useful to have all of the content of www.BIT.com.au on a single iPad app, designed specifically for your iPad, for ease of use while keeping you mobile?



or View results
Yes
  50%
 
No
  10%
 
I prefer to get my tech advice at my desktop
  40%
TOTAL VOTES: 10

Vote now
Ads by Google