Microsoft launching its own brand of Windows 8 tablets?

According to Taiwanese industry insiders, DigiTimes, we could be seeing Microsoft-branded Windows 8 tablets in the future. There have been reports about the Redmond giant partnering with Texas Instruments and Taiwanese vendors to create their own hardware. Seeing how Microsoft has been successful with its own hardware before (Xbox 360) and as well as unsuccessful (Zune) – the verdict is in the air whether this would be a good move for the company.

Maybe Microsoft could do a test run with its WP7 smartphones first to see how consumers react to its products. And the idea of a Microsoft-branded tablet does sound like it could have potential to do well. If rumors turn out to be true, we should see these tablets on the market by the end of 2012. What are your thoughts about these rumors? Do you think Microsoft could pull off playing the hardware and software guys for its upcoming Windows 8 tablet?