Notebook brands plan limited shipments of Windows RT tablets

Notebook brands that were originally aggressive about pushing Windows on Arm (WoA) tablets have mostly cooled down following the launch of Microsoft's Surface RT. While players such as Asustek Computer, Dell, Samsung Electronics and Lenovo still plan to release Windows RT-based tablets, estimated shipments are less than 50,000 units each, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.

The sources pointed out that Sony, Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Toshiba, have all chosen to step away from the Windows RT tablet market.

Compared to Windows RT, notebook vendors are more interested in tablets with Windows 8 and Intel's Clover Trail, and are pushing the devices as their major sales force.

Nokia, which was originally set to launch a Windows RT tablet with cooperation from Compal Electronics, has also recently postponed the plans because of Surface RT, while the company also has no time to take care of its tablet product line.

As for the status of related processor suppliers, Nvidia is currently benefiting from orders for Surface RT, while Texas Instruments (TI) has already quit supplying processor for Windows RT devices. Although Qualcomm is currently supplying its processors to Samsung and Dell for their Windows RT tablets, if the market status does not improve, there is a chance that Qualcomm may halt production.

Meanwhile, AMD has also announced it has cooperated with players including Asustek, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba, to develop more than 125 Windows 8-based PCs, while AMD's Z-60 APU has also recently landed orders from Fujitsu for its new 10.1-inch tablet.

Source:    DigiTimes

30 октября 2012