Microsoft Surface RT "likely to be a one-off" device, claims source

The forthcoming release of Microsoft's first own-brand tablet, the Surface RT, is unlikely to herald a wholesale move into the hardware business for the firm.

This is the view of a Microsoft supply chain source, speaking to IT Pro under condition of anonymity, who claims the device is likely to be a "one-off" foray into hardware manufacturing for the vendor.

Microsoft is not planning to become a hardware vendor, they just want to create some disruption.

"Microsoft is only selling the [Surface RT] through Microsoft Stores and online...because they haven't got the manufacturing capacity to make it global," our source said.

"It is probably going to be a one-off product...they are not planning to become a hardware vendor, they just want to create some disruption in the tablet, iPad market."

The ARM-based Surface RT tablet will go on general release from 26 October to coincide with the software giant's wider Windows 8 launch.

The Surface RT will not allow end users to run desktop applications, apart from those that come pre-installed.

Instead, users of the device so called because it runs the Windows RT operating system will only be able to use Metro-style apps.

A more businessfocused version of the device, Surface Pro, is expected to go on sale in early 2013, which will allow users to run both desktop and Metro-style apps.

Andrew Buss, service director at IT analyst house Freeform Dynamics, said Microsoft's go-to-market strategy with Surface is probably a concession to its OEM partners, who may have felt sidelined by the product's release.

"They know having a device of their own is in conflict with their OEM partners and it won't be long before we see ARM-based devices from other vendors, including Lenovo, Dell and HP," said Buss.

"So, I think having the device available through limited channels is a way to minimise the competition with their partners."

IT Pro was awaiting a response from Microsoft to this story at the time of publication.