Microsoft's Surface 2 tablet running Windows RT is set to face its demise, as the company officially confirmed it will no longer manufacture this model.
As a reminder, Microsoft designed Windows RT as a watered-down version of Windows, aiming to favor ARM-based devices. The Surface RT was the first tablet to run this OS, followed by the Surface 2. Windows RT-powered devices, however, never really took off, although Microsoft poured big money into this project.
The Surface 2 made its debut back in 2013, arriving as the successor to the original Surface RT. The second iteration came with various improvements over its predecessor, including a better display and a thinner and lighter design, but the OS was widely seen as the main reason for the tablet's limited success. Because Windows RT did not support traditional Windows programs, developers had to make special versions of their software for the RT OS. Hardware manufacturers gradually backed out of making Windows RT-powered devices and developers eventually concentrated less of their efforts on this department.
A better OS was seen as the only hope for Windows RT-powered devices to take off, but Microsoft shattered such hopes.
Just recently, Microsoft confirmed that the Surface 2 will not get an update to its latest Windows 10 operating system, which aims to unify the company's platforms. Shortly after the announcement, the Surface 2 was nowhere to be found on the Microsoft Online Store, leading many to believe the company was getting ready to discontinue this tablet model.
Fast forward to present date, and Microsoft has officially confirmed to Business Insider that it has decided to stop manufacturing the Surface 2. The company reported $1.1 billion Surface revenues for the calendar fourth quarter of 2014, and said that its latest Surface Pro 3 tablet "drove most of the growth."
Consequently, Microsoft wants to focus on the growth-driving Surface Pro 3, and the Windows RT-powered Surface 2 will get the boot in the process, as expected.
"We are no longer manufacturing Surface 2; however, those still eager to buy Surface should visit Microsoft Retail Stores, MicrosoftStore.com, third-party retailers and resellers for the latest availability," Microsoft further told The Verge.
While Microsoft didn't specifically confirm it, the end of the Surface 2 also means the end of the poorly-received Windows RT. Devices running on this watered-down Windows version should still get some update, although it will not be to Windows 10.
