The Microsoft, Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) Surface with Windows RT, better known as the Surface RT, could be out in Japan by March, according to Japanese news service Nikkei.
Compared to the more recent Surface with Windows 8 Professional (Surface Pro), the Surface RT is a more bare-bones tablet, with a stripped-down, “lite” version of Windows 8 for devices based on ARM architecture. It can only run a limited number of applications, including the similarly stripped-down Office RT and Internet Explorer 10, as well as apps purchased through Microsoft’s online storefront.
The Surface RT costs little more than half that of a Surface Pro, with the base 32 GB version priced at only $499. Japanese pricing was not yet revealed, but it is expected that the Surface RT will cost about 50,000 yen, or $531 USD.
Checking on the veracity of the report from Nikkei, CNET was able to get a comment from Microsoft regarding the release of the Surface RT in other markets. The Redmond, Wash.-based company was noncommittal in its answer. “The worldwide customer response to Surface has been exciting and humbling to see,” said Microsoft’s statement. “In order to meet customer demand and retailer expectations, we are taking a phased approach to the availability of Surface. With regard to additional markets, we have nothing further to share at this time.”
The Surface RT was first released in the United States on October 26, but has yet to achieve substantial sales in the tablet market. Other markets where the RT is available include Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, China, France and Germany.
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