Windows RT vs. Windows 8 Pro: Choosing the right tablet

November 30, 2012

There is a diverse array of tablet options to daze and amaze shoppers this holiday season. Microsoft has a solid contender with its current Surface tablet, but it runs the more limited Windows RT operating system that was designed for use with ARM-based processors. I’ve already examined how the Surface RT beats the iPad, and how the iPad beats the Surface RT, but how what about tablets that run the more powerful Windows 8 Pro OS? The Samsung Series 7 Slate boasts an Intel Core i5 processor. Well, Microsoft itself will offer a Surface Pro in the near future that runs Windows 8Pro instead of Windows RT. The Microsoft tablet is slated for a January 2013 release—although there is some speculation it could hit the street in December. Microsoft hasannounced official pricing for the Surface Pro: a 64GB unit will be $900, and the 128GBtablet will be $1000. You don’t have to wait, though. There are already tablets out there running Windows 8 Pro. Sitting on my desk in front of me, I have the Microsoft Surface RT tablet, and a Samsung Series 7 Slate PC running Windows 8 Pro.To be fair, the Samsung Series 7 Slate PCs currently available on retail shelves come with Windows 7 Home Premium by default—I installed Windows 8 Pro on mine myself. The Samsung site, however, sports a "Get to know Windows 8" marketing logo, and states "Samsung recommends Windows 8", so perhaps the tablet will soon come with the new OS pre-installed. Based on my use of each platform has some pros and cons, and you should be aware of the benefits and disadvantages of each before you set out to spend your hard-earned money on one. To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Link: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2017395/windows-rt-vs-windows-8-pro-choosing-the-right-tablet.html