Acer delays its Windows RT tablet roll out from Q1 to Q2 2013 as it decides to take a close look at the competition instead-- or more specifically, see how the Microsoft Surface will fare on the market.

"Originally we had a very aggressive plan to come out very early next year," Acer President Jim Wong tells Reuters. "But because of Surface... we are much more cautious."

The recent Surface launch was met with mixed (if generally positive) reviews from analysts and the specialist press.

The Acer move is hardly unsurprising, considering the cynicism shown by the company when it comes to the Microsoft take on tablets. Back in August 2012, CEO J.T. Wang declared the Surface will be "negative for the worldwide ecosystem," before imploring to Microsoft to "think it over."

Plenty of other companies have Windows RT devices in the works, including initial Windows RT OEM partners Lenovo, Asus, Samsung and Dell.

Acer is still working on Windows RT devices-- but first it will "watch" how Surface will do. "How is RT accepted by customers, how Microsoft is aggressive on RT and on Surface, we don't know... We want to see," Wong concludes.

Go Acer Delays Windows RT Tablets After Microsoft Moves into Tablets (Reuters)