HP and Dell joining hands with Windows 8, readying tablets for 2012

According to a report in Digitimes, PC vendors including HP and Dell are opting for Windows 8 as the preferred OS for their tablets. Apparently the launch of Amazon’s Kindle Fire as a reasonably priced device has toughened competition for Android based tablets in the same segment. Vendors are thus moving away from the segment and Android to start afresh with Windows 8.

Michael Dell, CEO, Dell had recently stated at Dell World 2011 that the Android tablet segment had not taken off as the industry had expected. According to him, Dell was looking to closely associate with Windows to develop its new devices. Most likely, Dell will develop business tablets on Windows 8. HP too has hardly been successful with the TouchPad and needs to revamp its entire tablet segment.

The new tablets from Dell and HP are expected to be released in the third quarter of next year, about a year from now. Since Microsoft recently released Windows 8 to developers, this seems like an appropriate timeline.

Windows 8 is certainly going to take Microsoft places. The OS is expected to make working across Microsoft devices including PCs, phones and tablets seamless and convenient, something welcomed by Windows enthusiasts. With Windows 8, users can work with the keyboard and mouse, as well as with the touch screen. 

Companies like Lenovo, HP and Dell are looking to make a name for themselves somewhere between the Kindle and the iPad markets with Microsoft’s new offering. In fact, Windows 8 might just be what Microsoft needs to compete with Apple in the tablet arena. If the OS delivers all that it promises, the software giant will be able to carve a niche for itself. It might not be a niche as big as Apple’s to begin with, but it will be a niche nevertheless.