If you have been thinking about getting a Windows 8-based tablet, but are wondering if you should get one with Windows 8 or one running on the ARM-based Windows RT, Lenovo might be able to help you out. In a new interview, David Schmoock, the head of Lenovo’s North America division, says that tablets with Windows RT will cost up to $300 less than those that will run on Windows 8.
Bloomberg reports that, according to Schmoock, "RT will play in consumer and retail at very aggressive price points. It will do well but it’s going to be more of a consumer price point play to begin with." Windows 8 tablets should be priced around $600 to $700, if Schmoock is correct, which means that Windows RT tablets could be priced as low as $300.
Schmoock points out that even with the higher price, Windows 8 tablets might be better for businesses as they will have more compatibility for older programs; Windows RT cannot run older Windows software made for x86-based processors.
Lenovo is one of several companies that plan to release both Windows 8 and Windows RT tablets, along with Microsoft, Acer, Samsung and Dell. It has also announced the first details of its Windows 8 tablet, the ThinkPad Tablet 2, which should be released in October.
Source: Bloomberg