Based on sales performance since Windows 8 was launched in late October, Windows 8/RT tablets are difficult to sell due to higher prices than those for Android tablets and insufficient available applications, according to Taiwan-based notebook supply chain makers reports Digitimes.

First-tier vendors' 10-inch Windows 8-based tablet models average above NT$20,000 (US$685). Compared to 10-inch models with Nvidia's quad-core Tegra 3 processor and Android there is a price gap of about NT$8,000-12,000.

In addition, the number of apps that is currently available for Windows 8, is far lower than those for iOS and Android, the sources noted.

With the weak performance of Windows 8 tablets, the sources believe that Microsoft's upcoming Surface Pro, which will be priced around NT$26,000 in January 2013, is unlikely to achieve its anticipated shipments.

Windows 8/RT tablets hard to sell