Windows RT shipments less than half of targets, say Taiwan makers

There have been about two million Windows RT tablets shipped globally, fewer than the 4-4.5 million units originally expected to be shipped as of the end of 2012, and actual sales so far are likely to be less than one million units, according to Taiwan-based supply chain makers.

Since Microsoft announced Surface in mid-2012, some partners gave up plans to develop Windows RT tablets, resulting in the launch of Surface RT and only several other Windows RT tablets developed by Asustek Computer, Samsung Electronics, Lenovo and Dell, the sources pointed out. Sales of all other Windows RT tablets are estimated at about 4000,000 units, short of original expectations, the sources indicated.

The far below originally expected sales performance for Windows RT tablets is mainly because a large number of applications are not compatible with Windows RT and sales prices are relatively high, the sources said. Since Microsoft will ship the Windows 8-based Surface Pro soon, prices for Surface RT are likely to be lowered to clear inventories, the sources noted.

Microsoft has offered incentives to invite vendors launching Windows RT tablets to participate in development of second-generation Windows RT models, but these vendors have so far been unwilling to do so, the sources said.