Joins a number of patches released for Windows 8.
Microsoft has released a firmware update for the Surface RT tablet that improves the device's performance.
In addition to the launch of Windows 8's first critical security patches, the software firm has issued a system firmware update for Surface RT, as well as Windows RT operating system updates.
The fixes, which are listed under a "cumulative update", includes performance improvements "when you wake the computer and when the computer is asleep, in order to improve battery life". A separate patch also fixes "an issue that may prevent Windows Store Apps from being installed fully."
While initial reviews of Surface mentioned the tablet could be slow at times, reports are suggesting that the update in question improves application launch times. Apps apparently launch around two seconds faster than before.
However, the update seems to failed to address an audio stuttering issue with Surface RT.

My winXP and win7 discs are both launch discs.... and oh boy, the updates after a clean install take FOREVER!
With that said, if I was in the market for a high-end tablet I'd personally prefer a Surface Pro or other Win8 x86 tablet. That way I can run legacy stuff like old games and emulators for old consoles.
The last time I wiped a drive and reinstalled wasn't because the OS became sluggish by normal means. They had found themselves one of the nastiest trojans I've ever seen, that was very difficult to remove cleanly. So it was actually faster to backup vital data and wipe the HDD, than to spend the time fighting with it.
After all, even though updating can take quite a while, it doesn't need much babysitting to download and install updates. I don't really count letting it download crap and install it while I'm doing something else as time invested.
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Why is this news?
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Newsflash! Christmas will fall on December 24th again this year, major drama...