[lnanek2]

Sometimes you don't need to win to make a profit, however. MS does have a huge enterprise business. Now what happens when an enterprise that uses MS computers everywhere, MS servers, MS exchange, etc. wants to add tablets? They are far more likely to chose an MS tablet because they are already running all the MS kit anyway and have all their software and support staff targeted at that. MS even puts forth the non-RT version so the tablet can replace the PC if needed. There are companies with millions of dollars sunk into desktop PC software.

So even if MS never wins in the consumer market and always just runs second third or fourth, having their own in house solution could still be cost effective.

[throwaway2048]

The thing is Win RT it's not anything like previous versions of Windows, both from a user interface standpoint and from API/ABI compatibility standpoint. it does not support Active Directory, fullnExchange or most other Microsoft enterprise integration tech. There is no compelling reason for a corporation to go with surface.

Bizarrely iOS and Android both have better Microsoft stack integration.

[mixmastamyk]

Remember that it is version 1.0 right now, and MS has a good (not perfect) track record of follow-thru.