Surface with Windows RT: Microsoft to Support the Current Tablet Until April 2017 Despite Upcoming Windows 8 Pro Edition

The "modest" sales of the Surface tablet have not deterred Microsoft.

The current Surface tablet is the Surface with Windows RT, and according to the company's schedule, it will support the Windows RT operating system for the next four years.

When performing a search of Windows RT on the Microsoft Product Lifecycle Search, it notes the "mainstream support end date" for the Surface with Windows RT will be April 11, 2017.

Usually Microsoft offers support for devices for five years, but as of Oct. 26, the life expectancy will be four years.

According to Microsoft, "As of October 26, 2012, Microsoft will offer a minimum of 4 years of Support for Consumer Hardware products from the release date of the products general availability. Microsoft does not offer Extended Support for its Consumer Hardware products. Hardware products released prior to October 26, 2012 will not adhere to this new policy but rather defer to the originally stated Support Lifecycle timeline unless otherwise noted."

So what does this mean for current or potential Surface tablet owners?

ZDnet's Ed Bott clarified that Surface users will receive firmware updates until the April 2017 date.

No word yet on the status of the upcoming Surface with Windows 8 Pro. The new tablet is "coming soon" according to Microsoft and will have different features compared to the current Windows RT model.

For the comparisons of the Surface with Windows RT and Surface with Windows 8 Pro, click here.

For the Microsoft Surface specs and definitions, click here.

For the Microsoft Surface tablet drop test, click here.

For the iPad Mini vs. Microsoft Surface specs, click here.