Acer has delayed the launch of its Windows RT tablets, putting the brakes on its hybrid gadgets after seeing the lukewarm reception that Microsoft's Surface has received.
Acer boss Jim Wong told Reuters that, "Originally we had a very aggressive plan to come out very early next year," going on to explain, "But because of Surface, our R&D development doesn't stop, but we are much more cautious."
Based on Wong's comments, we won't see any Windows RT tablets from Acer until at least April. Bad news for anyone who was craving the Iconia W510.
The Taiwanese tech giant has had a bee in its bonnet about Microsoft's own tablet for a while now, saying back in August that Ballmer and pals should "think twice" about wading into the world of hardware.
Wong's issue seems to be that Acer wanted to produce Windows RT gadgets that were much more expensive than Microsoft's own, also telling Reuters that Lenovo and Asus had originally planned to make devices that were a hundred dollars pricier than the Surface, but were caught off guard when Microsoft revealed the Surface's £399.
"I don't know what's next, what Microsoft will do," Wong is quoted as saying, going on to opine that Acer will observe how popular Windows RT proves to be, and how aggressive Microsoft is with pushing its own products.
Sounds like sour grapes to me, but this is potentially the worst-case scenario for Microsoft -- a laptop-making partner has been put off producing Windows RT devices. Meanwhile Microsoft's own Surface has been treated to lukewarm reviews, with critics unhappy with occasionally sluggish performance and a lack of apps.
Has Microsoft made a serious mistake, or will the Surface prove a winner in the long run? Tell me in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 8
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anonymous 1 November, 2012 10:13
From my experience of Acer products, its probably a good thing for MS if they pull out of making any Win8 stuff - they are the LG of laptop manufacturers
anonymous 1 November, 2012 10:22
Sound like M$ want to get their tentacles in even more hardware than before. May be bad news for hardware companies in the long run.
damien2501 1 November, 2012 10:43
Acer should stop whinging anyone can make hardware if they want. If you don't like it just make better products than the competition at a better price
anonymous 1 November, 2012 11:20
Acer make poor quality products that break soon after the one year warranty runs out. Made the mistake of buying an Acer laptop once, will never buy an Acer product again.
Peter Hudson 1 November, 2012 12:14
I had an Acer Ferrari 3400 for over 6 years without a single problem. The only reason I got rid of it was that I bought a MacBook. Loved my Ferrari laptop, it was brilliant.
shauney3 1 November, 2012 13:37
My Acer laptop was great! lasted me all through uni, no problems... apart from getting quite warm sometimes!!
anonymous 1 November, 2012 14:35
Windows 8 on ASUS i7 is sluggish, RT must really be bad. It's back to 7 for me. By the way why did Microsoft hide everything in 8? Is so difficult to get anythingdone. There is no way to disable the ttrack pad... unhappy user.
anonymous 13 November, 2012 18:05
Hmm think there may be some confusion here (and with the previous Iconia W510 article) - as I understand it, the W510 will feature the full version of Windows 8 rather than the RT version as mentioned here. Certainly confused me.