Microsoft will support its Surface tablet with Windows RT and Office 2013 RT software till 2017, according to documents issued by the PC giant.
Microsoft Windows Surface tablet with Windows RT was announced at the end of October. This tablet runs the Windows RT operating system that has been developed specifically to support the ARM architecture based processors. While the Surface tablet has been made available in limited quantity to select users only, the company has big hopes on this tablet to compete with strong rival products such as the Apple iPad tablet.
Usually, Apple refreshes the hardware of its consumer products annually which includes both hardware and software. Apple has no specific support policy and usually the software support is limited to the hardware used.
Microsoft has a different strategy when it comes to software. The company recently updated its policy for the Surface with Windows RT and the Windows RT stating that both will be supported till April 11, 2017. The life cycle of the product will start on January 24, 2013. Noting the Life Cycle Start date, the Surface with Windows RT can be expected in several countries by the end of January or early February. As per our sources, Surface with Windows RT for India can be expected by the end of January.
Meanwhile, the Windows RT operating system itself will be supported till minimum five years from its Life Cycle Start date, October 30, 2012. The Surface tablet with Windows RT also comes pre-loaded with Office Home and Student 2013 RT. Both Windows RT and Office 2013 RT versions will be supported till at least five years from the Life Cycle Start dates. The support cycle for the Windows RT and Office 2013 RT will include software updates, patches and security updates.