Cherry was referring to , particularly the lack of "domain joining," the ability to connect to a corporate Windows network and the lack of support for Group Policies, one of the ways IT administrators use to manage Windows devices.

Windows RT differs in even bigger ways from Windows 8, which runs on x86/64 hardware powered by Intel and AMD processors: The OS cannot run existing Windows applications, and with the exception of some Microsoft-made components, lacks a "desktop" mode.

"Application compatibility is going to be an important consideration for enterprises considering [tablets] running Windows 8 and Windows RT," said Al Gillen of IDC in an interview earlier this week.

Gillen saw Windows RT as unlikely to win approval by enterprises because of its inability to run traditional Windows software. Instead, companies that want to equip their workforces with Windows tablets will probably look hardest at those powered by Windows 8, which does run existing applications -- even if they consume more power, and as a result, are heavier and larger because they must house a bigger battery.

"I think you can take Windows RT off the table for enterprises," he said.