Business dilemma: Windows RT tablet or iPad?

Closing Statements

All the pieces are in place for Windows RT

Matt Baxter-Reynolds

Windows RT should have a great showing in the enterprise space. This is in Microsoft's DNA - all this consumer-centric stuff is something that they're learning to do, although they've had amazing success with the iPad. Questions remain about how good the MDM story is, and how practicable managing sideloading apps it, but it should make a good showing. All the pieces are in place, the only question for me is whether iPad has got too big of a head start of Windows 8 and Windows RT and that iPad will become the de facto enterprise tablet.

Right now iPad is the best choice

Matthew Miller

While readers have overwhelming voted in favor of Windows RT over the iPad, I still think at this time the iPad is the clear winner for the enterprise customer. Windows RT has the potential to be a valid choice, but Microsoft has to provide more than Office (limited as it is), a keyboard, and attractive hardware. Apple owns the consumer market and is working hard to secure a role in the enterprise. Visit the Apple iPad for business site and you will see numerous testimonies of using the iPad at work. The iPad has proven to be reliable, desired by employees, has over 250,000 tablet apps, and is the device for IT departments to seriously consider.

And now, the winner is...

Steve Ranger

This is a tough one. There’s a lot of excitement about Windows RT and some great – and not so great - reviews of the Windows RT model of Surface. Mostly they seem to like the hardware but consider the OS to be a bit undercooked. Assuming that becomes the general perception of RT devices it is likely the majority will stick with the iPad for business right now, especially as so much tablet usage in enterprise is being driven by bring your own device rather than enterprise procurement.

Still, there is plenty of pent-up demand within enterprise for Windows tablets - and once Windows RT gets past any teething troubles it might have, it will be a real contender. Something like Surface Pro, with a full version of Windows 8, could be an even more powerful proposition and is only a few months away.

So in the short term Matthew is the winner – although long term Matt’s arguments will become more compelling.