Despite its commitment to develop
more than 100
Windows-based Ultrabooks, Intel (NASDAQ:
INTC
) insiders have revealed that the company might not be ready for
the arrival of Windows 8. According to
Bloomberg
, Intel had hoped to develop software for a new processor --
codenamed Clover Trail -- that would conserve battery life in
Windows 8-based tablets. The company has been unsuccessful in
this goal, leading to a delay of some unspecified devices.
It is not known how quickly Intel will resolve the issues
plaguing its new processor, or if it has an alternative in
development. Whatever the case, this delay is expected to give
Apple (NASDAQ:
AAPL
) -- which uses Intel processors in many of its products, but not
in the iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch -- another advantage in the
tablet space.
Thus far, Apple has sold more than 80 million iPads worldwide.
This number includes the first and second-generation devices, as
well as the latest iPad, which arrived at retail last March.
Apple has been rumored to be developing a smaller tablet,
presumably titled the iPad Mini, for release before the end of
the year. Those rumors have yet to materialize into a definitive
product.
The Mac maker all but quashed those rumors when it unveiled
the new iPod Touch, which features a starting price of $299.
Consumers can currently purchase the old iPod Touch for $199.
They can also purchase the iPad 2 for $399 and the
third-generation iPad for $499. As such, Apple is believed to
have
left no room
for an iPad Mini.
The California-based enterprise received some unexpected
competition last month when Amazon (NASDAQ:
AMZN
) and Barnes & Noble (NYSE:
BKS
) unveiled
multiple
new tablets that range from seven to nine inches in size. These
announcements followed a rumor that claimed Microsoft (NASDAQ:
MSFT
) would charge as little as $199 for Surface, the company's first
tablet. Microsoft has yet to announce the price and release date
for the device, which is expected to ship in time for the October
26 arrival of Windows 8.
Analysts have argued over the validity of the rumor, stating
that it would be impossible for Microsoft to charge $199 without
taking a loss. Others believe that Microsoft will discount the
device to those who purchase a subscription to one of its
services.
At $199, Surface would be much cheaper than the iPad. However,
it would not be the least expensive tablet available.
Among the major manufacturers, Amazon currently offers the
cheapest tablet -- the $159 Kindle Fire. The HD model sells for
$40 more. Both come pre-loaded with advertisements that can be
eliminated for an additional $15.
Barnes & Noble, which will sell its nine-inch Nook HD+ for
$269, has used Amazon's shortcoming to promote its own devices.
The bookseller created multiple
product comparison pages
to highlight the positive differences between the Nook tablets
and its competitors.
While Intel may be unable to produce a large number of Windows
8 tablets this fall, the company will still play a role in the
initial launch. The pro version of Surface, which is expected to
be released in December or January, will feature a Core i5
processor from Intel.
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@LouisBedigianBZ
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