Intel Confirms 10 Partners for Windows 8 Tablets, Issues Own Spec Guidance

Intel China Chairman Sean Maloney took to the microphone at the Intel Developer Forum in Beijing and revealed that at least ten vendors have already been chosen to work with the chip giant in order to push out Intel-powered Windows 8 tablets by the end of the year. Apparently Intel has also lain down some ground rules or requirements at the conference about the details that will go into each and every Intel-powered Windows 8 tablet.

Each tablet is to feature a dual-core Atom Z2760 Clover Trail chip, a standalone 10-inch display or a hybrid 11-inch display with a physical keyboard, a battery lifespan greater than 9 hours, 3G/4G connectivity meaning there will be no ‘Wi-Fi only’ models, must weigh less than 1.5 pounds, thinner than 9mm and also NFC and Wi-Fi connectivity. Microsoft, which revealed the Consumer Preview of Windows 8 at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in February at Barcelona is expected to officially release the new Operating System which will be able to run on desktops, tablets and apparently, smartphones as well in the second half of 2012. Rumors has circulated about the launch being  held in a special event at London, England.