Dell executive warned Ballmer to avoid Windows RT branding
updated 07:54 am EST, Mon December 17, 2012
Windows seen as too important not to use in RT name
A Dell executive urged Microsoft to not use Windows branding for its ARM-based operating system, according to reports. Jeffrey Clarke of Dell apparently told Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer that it should have been called something else other than Windows RT, but Ballmer deemed the Windows brand to be too important to not be used in the new devices.
According to the Australian Financial Review, Clarke claimed that he explained to Ballmer his view that using the term Windows in a brand showed that the operating system would be compatible with normal Windows applications, something that Windows RT is not able to do. Though both versions can run "Metro" apps, Windows RT is incapable of running programs designed for processors used in notebooks and desktop computers, something that would cause a problem if customers bought the Windows RT device without realizing this issue.
Neil Hand, vice-president and covering tablets for Dell, pointed out that it would not have mattered if Microsoft called the tablet-based version of the OS by another name, as PC and tablet manufacturers would still have to explain the differences between the two, regardless of the final name used. "Just calling it something different is not going to solve the problem," said Mr Hand, while also suggesting that the compatibility issues would be solved. When operating system compatibility problems will cease to be an issue is an "interesting future guess" to Hand, who still believes that with lighter devices used in ARM-based solutions, "I think there's a future for RT."
