Windows RT is an edition of Windows 8 operating system designed for mobile devices that use 32-bit ARM architecture (ARMv7).[2]
Microsoft intended for devices with Windows RT to take advantage of the architecture's power efficiency to allow for longer battery life, to use system-on-chip (SoC) designs to allow for thinner devices, and to provide a "reliable" experience over time.
In comparison to other mobile operating systems, Windows RT also supports a relatively large number of existing USB peripherals and accessories, and includes a version of Microsoft Office 2013 optimized for ARM devices as pre-loaded software.
However, while Windows RT inherits the appearance and functionality of Windows 8, it contains a number of limitations, which includes only being compatible with software obtained from Windows Store, and lacking certain enterprise-oriented features.
First unveiled as a prototype in January 2011 at Consumer Electronics Show, the operating system was officially launched alongside Windows 8 on October 26, 2012, with the release of three Windows RT-based tablets, including Microsoft's own Surface RT tablet.
Unlike most other versions of Windows, Windows RT is only available as pre-loaded software on devices specifically designed for the operating system by OEMs. The operating system has only been made available on a total of seven devices, all tablets, with two manufactured by Microsoft itself.
