Toshiba tosses Windows RT

Too hard.

Toshiba will no longer manufacture tablets and PCs running Microsoft’s upcoming Windows RT operating system after suffering delays in accessing components.

Microsoft yesterday announced the line-up of OEM partners developing devices utilising the ARM-optimised version of Windows 8. Toshiba, and fellow PC vendor Acer, had previously seen to be preparing Windows RT tablets and notebooks.

Toshiba had been working on RT in partnership with chip maker Texas Instruments, but declined to comment on which components it had been unable to source.

Instead it will now develop Windows 8 devices running on Intel processors, reported Bloomberg.

“Toshiba has decided not to introduce Windows RT models due to delayed components that would make a timely launch impossible,” Toshiba said in a statement.

“For the time being, Toshiba will focus on bringing Windows 8 products to market. We will continue to look into the possibility of Windows RT products in the future while monitoring market conditions.”

HP also canned plans for a Windows RT device in favour of an Intel-based slate aimed at the enterprise. It has since begun advertising a mystery tablet, giving credence to earlier reports of an x86-powered Slate 8 with 10.1in screen. 

Windows RT will launch alongside Windows 8 on October 26. RT devices will utilise chips from Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and Nvidia. 

Microsoft's own ARM-based RT variant of Surface will launch at the same time, while the Intel-based Surface Pro won’t arrive until January 2013.

The company is yet to reveal the cost of its home-grown device.