If you thought that the Windows RT segment was helpless, seeing that HP is not on board any more, think again. The likes of ASUS, Lenovo, Toshiba and Samsung are now on board with this platform and will release tablets carrying it this year. Other makers will also debut products and wait for Microsoft’s permission that may come in January.
Up until now, aside from Surface, we didn’t have a clear a idea on who was going to make Windows RT slates. Now names like Nvidia, Texas Instruments and Qualcomm appeared and these companies had the task of selecting two OEM partners each for the big launch of Windows RT tablets. So, Nvidia selected ASUS and Lenovo, while TI went with Toshiba and Qualcomm with Samsung and HP. Since HP backed out recently, Dell might jump in and fill the gap.
Microsoft will lift all restrictions on Windows RT licensing in January and give the public a wider selection of OEMs to choose from. This means that we’re to expect an avalanche of Windows RT announcements at CES 2013 and also at MWC 2013. The second wave of Windows 8 ARM tablets is supposed to ship in Q1 2013.
