Technology

Microsoft Surface 3 To Run Windows 10, Drop RT

by Brendan Byrne

The company is apparently preparing an announcement on its new tablet at its Build Developer Conference next month, according to a report by WinBeta. The Surface 3 will reportedly use Windows 8.1 instead of the mobile-centric Windows RT, before transitioning to Windows 10 when it is released, writes Brad Jones of Digital Trends.

Microsoft Surface 3 To Run Windows 10, Drop RT

The end of Windows RT

Microsoft recently announced that desktop users of previous Windows editions will receive a free upgrade to Windows 10, but Windows RT owners will not. It has long been predicted that Windows RT was on its way out, and this latest announcement appears to ring the final death knell, confirming that no new devices are planned that will run RT.

Jones also believes that the news represents a bridge between the regular and Pro editions of the Surface tablet. The Surface 3 is expected to be fitted with an Intel Atom or Intel Core M processor, which will enable it to run Windows x86 desktop apps. This will bring the regular and Pro versions of the tablet closer together than with the Surface 2, because only the Pro version of the previous tablet could run desktop apps thanks to its ARM-based processor.

Surface 3 to join evolution of Windows

Both versions of the Surface 3 are expected to be fanless, ensuring minimal operating noise. The move appears to show that Microsoft is marketing the new Surface closer to a traditional laptop than a standard tablet, and fully-fledged Windows functionality on both versions could provide the edge that allows the Surface to dominate the tablet marketplace.

The original WinBeta report cites confidential sources, and an official announcement on the future of the Surface tablet is predicted to made at the Build Developer Conference which will take place from April 29 to May 1.

Microsoft appears to be bringing the Surface on board with the rumored transition to Windows as a Service, which if it goes through would mark a significant change of business model for the tech giant. WinBeta also predicts that Build could see the announcement of further developments in Microsoft’s Holosense technology, and potentially a new flagship Lumia device.

Author: Brendan ByrneWhile studying economics, Brendan found himself comfortably falling down the rabbit hole of restaurant work, ultimately opening a consulting business and working as a private wine buyer. On a whim, he moved to China, and in his first week following a triumphant pub quiz victory, he found himself bleeding on the floor based on his arrogance. The same man who put him there offered him a job lecturing for the University of Wales in various sister universities throughout the Middle Kingdom. While primarily lecturing in descriptive and comparative statistics, Brendan simultaneously earned an Msc in Banking and International Finance from the University of Wales-Bangor. He's presently doing something he hates, respecting French people. Well, two, his wife and her mother in the lovely town of Antigua, Guatemala. To contact Brendan or give him an exclusive, please contact him at theflask@gmail.com