Microsoft Says Its Surface Brand Is Confusing Customers

To our average reader I’d expect the difference between the Surface Pro and the Surface RT is pretty obvious – one runs Windows 8 RT and the other runs full Windows 8, one has an Nvidia Tegra 3 ARM processor and the other an Intel Core i5 processor. The differences are obvious to the technically minded but to your average consumer the difference probably isn’t so obvious, as let’s face it, both tablets and operating systems do look similar.

Speaking with PC Pro Microsoft Australia marketing manager, Jack Cowett, believes that the difference between the Surface Pro and the Surface RT have not been fully recognised by consumers, and may have even confused them:

“We think that there was some confusion in the market last year on the difference between Surface RT and Surface Pro…We want to help make it easier for people, and these are two different products designed for two different people.”

Microsoft obviously knows it has caused confusion as they have a dedicated web page set up to help consumers decide which one is right for them. With the second generation Microsoft looks to get around the confusion by ditching the RT moniker and just going with Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2. This way there is a clear indication that the Surface Pro 2 “is better” and aimed at the higher end user who does actually need the “professional” benefits of having a full Windows 8.1 tablet while the Surface 2 is aimed at a broader audience who can make do with ARM and lighter productivity.

Image courtesy of itechpost.com