Manufacturers Reluctant to Make Intel, Windows Tablets

According to industry insiders, computer manufacturers are reluctant to make Intel Atom-based tablets running Microsoft’s Windows operating system. After Apple had released the iPad, manufacturers are re-thinking power, battery efficiency, and the best user interfaces to release on their tablet hardware, and are instead turning to ARM-based and Android solutions. However, at the request of Intel, manufacturers will still be showing off tablet offerings running Intel’s revised Atom CPU, called Oak Trail, at the Intel Developer Forum in September.

The source says that manufacturers feel pressured into releasing Intel and Windows tablets to maintain and preserve their relationships with the two tech giants: “However, vendors will still launch Atom-and-Windows-based models in small volumes to maintain their relationships with Intel and Microsoft, and also to gauge market demand, the sources noted.” Manufacturers are fearful that if they don’t appease the two, Intel may not give them priority access to more popular chips, like the Core i7.

It’s unclear whether the Oak Trail models that will be shown at the Intel Developer Forum next month will be production samples or if they will ever make it to consumer’s hands. That will be based on market studies and demand. Oak Trail, unlike previous Atom-based chips, promises 50% more power efficiency when playing full high definition videos and can support the MeeGo, Windows, and Android operating systems. Intel is countering all the skepticism related to its Atom-based chips by saying that it’s seeing more adoption: “Intel responded saying it continues to see positive momentum from the industry adoption of the Atom platform optimized for tablets and sleeker netbook form factors.”

Filed in Computers >Top Stories..

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