Microsoft has announced that Windows RT devices from Asus, Dell, Lenovo and Samsung will be there at the launch of its upcoming Windows 8 operating system.

The software giant is putting a lot of risk with its Surface tablet snapping up the limelight from Windows RT, which some longstanding and valuable partners may not find favorable.

Microsoft will try to repair its business relationship with partners by revealing that Asus, Dell, Lenovo and Samsung will have Windows RT devices available when Windows 8 launches later this year.

The company Microsoft provided details for the lineup of Windows RT devices and boasted early production models had battery lives from 8 to 13 hours of pure HD video playback. It claims devices running on the ARM-specific Windows 8 version will last from 320 to 409 hours on standby mode, which means Windows RT tablets could put up against rivals such as the Apple iPad and high-end Android tablets.

Microsoft said it optimized Windows RT’s graphics performance so UI animations can reach 60 fps, and mentioned that touchscreen sampling rate is at 100 Hz per finger.

Microsoft is doing its best to pull in developers and support the operating system, with Mike Angiulo, VP of Ecosystem and Planning at Microsoft, saying it has already shipped 1,500 Windows RT devices.

Angiulo claims that more than 90 percent of apps submitted to the Windows Store support Windows RT but declined to reveal exact figures.

Windows RT devices must sell like hotcakes for Microsoft to gain ground against its major rivals, especially when its Windows Phone OS is not doing so well in the smartphone market.

(More: HP Supports Microsoft Decision To Make Surface Tablets)

(More: Microsoft Surface For Windows RT May Cost Only $199)

(More: Microsoft Claims Windows RT Will Be ‘Most Compatible’ ARM OS)

Source: MSDN

Image: bfishadow via Flickr (CC)

About Francis Rey Balolong

A coffee junkie who spends most of his time writing about the latest news on social media and mobile technology. I would definitely consider myself a nerd (in the coolest most hipster way possible). That being said, I love technology, music, writing, and all things mobile. Follow me: Google+ Twitter

Don’t forget to subscribe and receive our latest posts in your inbox.