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Is 64GB storage enough for a Windows RT tablet?

As we create and carry around with us more and more digital detritus, is the maximum of 64GB of storage available on Windows RT tablets going to be enough once users start throwing software and files at it?
Written by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Contributing Writer

Time to address a Windows RT tablet-related question from a reader who's concerned about storage.

I'm noticing that Windows RT tablets seem to be offered with 32GB or 64GB of storage, while Windows 8 Pro systems go up to 256GB. Surely 64GB of storage on a Windows machine is going to get awfully cramped awfully quickly?

You're right about the fact that the Windows RT tablets announced so far seem to come with 32GB or 64GB of storage.

Take the Samsung ATIV Tab or Microsoft's Surface RT, for example; both of these are powered by Windows RT will come with 32GB or 64GB of storage. Compare this to their Windows 8 Pro cousins -- the ATIV Smart PC Pro and Surface Pro -- which will ship with 128GB and 256GB, respectively.

In a video that ZDNet's Ed Bott shot the other day of the ATIV Tab, you can clearly see that in what appears to be stock state the tablet only has 12.4GB free out of 23.4GB.

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12GB plus change doesn't seem like a lot of storage. And for a x86-powered system, it's not; but remember that these Windows RT tablets aren't x86 systems and the only place you're going to be getting software for them is from the Windows Store.

While a software suite like Adobe's Master Collection CS 6 or a game like Batman: Arkham City can easily chew through 12GB, you're not going to be able to install this software on an ARM-powered tablet. The software that's going to be available from the Windows Store is going to be a lot gentler on storage space.

Another point worth remembering is that the Office 2013 suite is preinstalled on Windows RT devices, so you won't need to factor in storage space for this -- if Office is your thing; if not, then Microsoft just wasted more of your precious storage space. For most mobile enterprise users -- the target audience for Windows RT tablets -- the storage offered will be more than adequate.

If you're the sort of person that wants to carry all your digital life with you, then Windows RT tablets aren't for you, and you're probably better off with a Windows 8 Pro tablet, or a full notebook.

Gallery: Microsoft Surface tablet
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Image source: ZDNet.

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