Microsoft’s Surface Windows RT tablet is now available for purchase in Microsoft retail stores across the country with a tag price of $499.  But that’s not the only Windows 8 tablet available in the market as a number of Microsoft partners also unveiled their Windows 8 tablets at an event in New York.

Still, the spotlight is on Microsoft as the RT propels them to the hardware business and is seen as a clear shot at Apple.  A lot of businesses use Microsoft’s operating systems in their offices and the new platform and tablet just opens up more doors for the software giant.  Though a lot of IT executives actually root for Microsoft when it comes to enterprise mobility, because the RT has been receiving mixed reviews, not very many are willing to take the first step in embracing the RT for business use.

“Lots of the IT executives we’ve been speaking to are rooting for Microsoft when it comes to enterprise mobility, but reviews of the RT-based Surface tablets have been mixed so far, and as such, we expect they will likely face an uphill climb in the enterprise,” Antenna’s Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, Jim Somers, who watched the Microsoft event, gave his initial verdict regarding the impact of the new releases on the world of enterprise mobility.  “Windows RT is a rickety bridge to Windows 8, and many IT managers are don’t want to be among the first to cross it. From a consumer perspective, despite the company’s flashy marketing campaigns, uptake may be slow due to the lack of apps and compatibility with existing Windows software.”

Antenna Software is an independent business mobility solutions provider that builds, runs and manages enterprise apps for the likes of Xerox, Coca Cola, AmTrak and a host of Global 1000 companies.

Somers also noted that though there is hesitation, it can’t be denied that Microsoft’s new platform offers an easy experience for developers to translate well from the .NET and Java platforms which many of them are familiar with.  This will give Microsoft the edge to compete with mobile juggernauts, such as  Apple and Google, as well as RIM who would only be releasing their BlackBerry 10 platform and new range of devices in 2013.

The holiday season is fast approaching and Somers stated that “the mobile device ecosystem has probably never been as fierce as it is now.”  With the round of Windows 8-based devices launched, IT departments will probably have their hands full over the weekend thinking of “how they’re going to manage these new devices, secure them, and enable them for their users. Chances are, different tablets will appeal to different use cases, and applications that can work across multiple platforms while still integrating with important business infrastructure will be crucial for success.”