Windows RT – based on Windows 8 – is the first desktop operating from Microsoft that has been developed from the ground up for touch-screen devices i.e. tablets. It replaces the traditional desktop interface in favor of a Windows Phone-like start screen, made for touch-input apps, a Windows Store for downloading them, multi-touch gestures and more! With Windows RT and OEMs like Samsung, ASUS, Lenovo, HP etc., Microsoft aims to directly compete with Apple’s iPad in the tablet market.
Now, one of the most important features in a tablet is excellent battery life. In a blog post published earlier today, Microsoft claims that Windows RT-based tablets will be able to play HD videos for up to 13 hours which is three more than iPad’s claimed batter time. More details, including a Power Nap-like connected standby feature, after the jump!
Apple introduced Power Nap on MacBooks as part of OS X Mountain Lion recently. The feature allows MacBooks to go into a lower-power state in which they can sync with iCloud and check for latest updates for installed apps. Connected Standby in Windows RT tablets allows them to maintain data currentness while using minimal resources.
Connected Standby is automatically activated when your Windows RT PC isn’t in use. According to Microsoft’s own tests, Windows RT tablets can last for 320 to 409 hours without requiring a charge in this mode.
In other tests regarding HD video playback, Microsoft was able to squeeze out 13 hours in a single charge. The tablet being tested was playing an HD video at full resolution that was stored on flash memory and the display had a brightness of 200 nits.
Of course, not every tablet will be able to give 409 hours of connected standby or 13 hours of video playback; different tablets will have different battery capacities and display sizes, so a lot depends on that.
Microsoft’s own Windows RT tablet Surface is scheduled to release alongside Windows 8 in the last week of October. With its Windows-based operating system, physical keyboard, HD display and outstanding design, it looks like the perfect hybrid of tablet and laptop. Let’s wait and see how the general public responds to it.
Hopefully, it will be positive as that will push competitors like Apple and Google to innovate and lower prices.
You can read more about Microsoft’s efforts on building Windows RT for tablets here.
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