Microsoft issues a firmware update for its Surface RT tablet

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER Microsoft has issued a firmware update for its Windows 8 RT powered Surface tablet, which aims to fix performance problems.

Microsoft issued eight updates for the Surface RT on Wednesday that are available on Windows Update. Seven of the updates are patches, but the most notable is a firmware update that brings added performance for applications execution.

Listed under the "cumulative update" are fixes including improvements "when you wake the computer and when the computer is asleep, in order to improve battery life" and a patch for "an issue that may prevent Windows Store Apps from being installed fully".

The patches supposedly mean that apps will launch more quickly and respond faster than before the update.

Microsoft said that the update should install automatically, but if you can't wait you can start the update manually by going to Charms - Settings - Change PC Settings - Windows Update and selecting the "Check for updates now" option.

The other day we reported that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer admitted that sales of Microsoft's Surface tablet have got off to a slow start.

Speaking to a French newspaper, Ballmer confessed that sales of the Windows RT powered device had started "modestly", quickly changing the subject to plug the firm's planned launch of its Intel powered Surface Pro tablet in January. µ