Windows RT powered slates to get some features from Windows 10

posted by Alan F. / Jan 25, 2015, 6:40 PM

Windows RT powered slates to get some features from Windows 10

Despite talk that Windows RT had passed away of natural causes, tablets powered by the OS, including the Microsoft Surface slabs, will receive some features belonging to Windows 10. That comes from a report published on Sunday by Supersite for Windows. With so many tablets running Windows 8.1, including the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (which actually runs Windows 8.1 Pro), Windows RT has become an afterthought.

While the exact features that will be taken from Windows 10 are unknown, an update to Windows RT means that the Microsoft Surface RT and Microsoft Surface 2 will receive these new capabilities. Meanwhile, all of the Surface Pro tablets will receive the Windows 10 update.

"Surface Pro 3 (and the entire Surface Pro lineup) will update to Windows 10. We are working on an update for Surface, which will have some of the functionality of Windows 10. More information to come."-Microsoft spokesman

The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 will most likely have Windows 10 pre-installed. With the new software expected to launch around late September, not only should we see the Surface Pro 4 hit the market at about the same time, we should also find out which Windows 10 features will be made available to Windows RT.

Microsoft Surface 2

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source: WinSupersite via TechRadar, GSMArena

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22 Comments

1. j2001m

Posts: 3061; Member since: Apr 28, 2014

Sorry I do not see what all the big deal is about windows rt not being updated to the full windows 10 I.e. It's in the name I.e it's called rt not windows 8 and so on I.e. Rt was never full windows 8 and windows phone will not be getting all the desktop things also now am they.

posted on Jan 25, 2015, 7:42 PM 0

2. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

The big deal of rt's getting windows 10? Because it is ARM processor which in the reality, blows against most x86's. Not to mention completely different code. Windows is written in a mix of C, C++, and Assembly language. Assembly for ARM and x86 do not mix at all, ever. So updating an RT ARM based tablet to full windows will never be possible. However they can get the windows phone code. If anything They will just shove windows phone code or win10 for less than 7in code on the tablet. And add a few more features to bridge it between rt and pro. As well all universal apps will run on rt.

posted on Jan 25, 2015, 7:50 PM 3

7. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

I don't think ARM blows against x86 since they are design in different eras for different purposes. ARM is design to be more energy saving while x86 was design in the 80 with no such concern. Energy saving who can have enough of those.

posted on Jan 26, 2015, 12:15 AM 2

8. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

This is dedicated to you! elitewolverine. "The average Intel i7 processor produces around 45W of heat. The average ARM based smartphone SoC (including the GPU) has a maximum instantaneous peak power of around 3W, some 15 times less than an Intel i7." http://www.androidauthority.com/arm-vs-x86-key-differences-explained-568718/

posted on Jan 26, 2015, 12:50 AM 1

9. hemedans

Posts: 755; Member since: Jun 01, 2013

dont use core i7 as reference for x86 use baytrail or core m. core m is more than three times faster while use only 4w

posted on Jan 26, 2015, 3:09 AM 0

12. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

Each has their own use. Either of them suck! That's the point. Besides, Core M is efficient because of superior manufacturing from Intel not because of CPU design. Same manufacturing apply to ARM will still use less power. Its basically complex instruction set vs modern reduce instruction set.

posted on Jan 26, 2015, 3:26 AM 0

22. sgodsell

Posts: 7365; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

Core M is rated at 4.5 watts and a consumer price of $280. Most Arm chips are under $50.

posted on Jan 26, 2015, 8:45 AM 1

13. brrunopt

Posts: 742; Member since: Aug 15, 2013

:facepalm: 3W ?? good luck with that .. A qualcoom S800/S801/805 or a Apple A7 can get as much as 6-7W Also, a core i7 e a LOT of times more powerfull than any ARM... And even more, a Intel Atom Baytrail has around the same performance and same power consumpion as ARM SOC's So No, ARM is not more efficient than x86

posted on Jan 26, 2015, 4:01 AM 1

14. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

So you are the CPU core designer expert? The rest of the phone OEM are idiots for choosing ARM over intel x86? If so what are your basis? Do enlightened us. http://www.androidauthority.com/arm-vs-x86-key-differences-explained-568718/

posted on Jan 26, 2015, 5:47 AM 0

17. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

Oh i know tons on cpu design and why arm has been used since the dawn of its reason for being in embedded low power systems. It doesnt mean it sucks, but neither does my watch's cpu... But when you are asking a modern day ARM to start running things that a full windows machine might likely encounter it wont be a pretty site to have in your hand. And by the time you get to Baytrail or other x86 low power designs...you have a power hog as well and defeats the purpose. You can even use old 15w intel cpu's or 25w even. When talking about tablets that can have 8000mah or 10000mah batteries onboard yes, 5w would be lovely...but 10w or 15w isnt going to kill it. Heck even baytrail used 2w in gaming tests. In the end my original point still stands...assembly is the main reason you simply cannot dump windows on a arm chip.

posted on Jan 26, 2015, 6:59 AM 0

20. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

Windows Phone are using ARM chip and from what i gather Windows 10 phone will still use ARM. So if its still not more power efficient why would Microsoft bother with ARM. Remember that. And please share correct and factual information because i come to learn to be more savvy not stupid.

posted on Jan 26, 2015, 7:15 AM 0

23. sgodsell

Posts: 7365; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

Maybe you should keep up with both technologies. Ever here of Nvidias X1 which rivals a number of current desktop/laptop CPUs. And Arm socs are still improving all the time with 14nm coming this will help with power consumption and heat. Also Intel is going with 14nm as well. Improvements are coming to everyone and not just Intel.

posted on Jan 26, 2015, 8:53 AM 1

3. Mercedes-Benz

Posts: 403; Member since: Jan 18, 2015

If they know the RT is so crappy , why launch it in the first place ? Typical MS fail Thats why i spend my money on apple products

posted on Jan 25, 2015, 9:38 PM 1

10. hemedans

Posts: 755; Member since: Jun 01, 2013

rt is crappy compare with full windows, but if you compare it with android/ios it is better than them

posted on Jan 26, 2015, 3:12 AM 2

16. Mercedes-Benz

Posts: 403; Member since: Jan 18, 2015

With all due respect have you owned a Surface RT ? I returned it in 3 days . It is laggy , runs a crippled browser called internet explorer as the only option , lack of windows store application . I could do more with a iPad or android tablet than I can do on the surface. only thing I appreciate is the design and the full size USB port

posted on Jan 26, 2015, 6:38 AM 2

19. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

App store did suffer, which will be no issue come windows 10 since it is arm and they are merging the store, they just got 500k apps. I have used a surface rt, laggy? no. IE? Flash support without the need for 3rd party support or stream. I hardly think 3 days with any product is enough time for anything. If i gave my note 3, 3 days to impress me i would be sworn off android forever...

posted on Jan 26, 2015, 7:03 AM 0

27. Mercedes-Benz

Posts: 403; Member since: Jan 18, 2015

Sure they have more apps now , but still couldn't compare with the play store and apps store . The surface with tegra 3 , performance really suffers especially using the desktop IE with heavy pages , even opening Metro apps takes a long time . The Metro IE doesn't work with most plugins or flash ? I switched from iOS to android just fine and I could switch back without Much problem , but MS product sorry I tried I just can't

posted on Jan 26, 2015, 1:16 PM 0

4. AfterShock

Posts: 4146; Member since: Nov 02, 2012

Here you go little orphan RT, have a bit of gruel an begone.

posted on Jan 25, 2015, 10:32 PM 2

6. NihonDaisuki unregistered

Is bad to use this os. Do not buy the first place When seemed got a time to aho

posted on Jan 25, 2015, 11:55 PM 0

11. darkvadervip

Posts: 366; Member since: Dec 08, 2010

I just hope microsoft puts LTE in the surface pro 4 and send it to AT&T and then we will see them fly off of the shelf

posted on Jan 26, 2015, 3:12 AM 0

21. 7thspaceman

Posts: 1597; Member since: Feb 14, 2011

Folks all Microsoft really has to do is to "Enable" all the 3 Microsoft RT tablets to use the New I Predict the 85 Percent of all new apps from developers will be Microsoft Universal Apps. If this done the all Windows RT tablets will be able to run the latest and greatest new Universal apps written for Windows touch screen devices.making Windows RT tablets far from being absolete

posted on Jan 26, 2015, 7:34 AM 0

24. deuel18

Posts: 41; Member since: Dec 28, 2012

ughhh >.< where are you Microsoft Surface Pro 4! I can't wait to know what processor art thou carrying. Intel Core M or Intel Core i Family? I'll throw u if its the first and i'll keep you if its the latter.