Yesterday, Intel Corp. declared their plans to release more than 10 new tablet computers (based on Intel architecture) later this month at the Taiwanese computer trade show. These efforts from the world’s leading processor manufacturer are aimed at expanding its operations beyond the stranglehold it has on PC chips to mobile devices, a segment where ARM Holdings PLC has come to become the standard. The company is planning to display these new tablets along with its manufacturing partners in the PC segment at Computex, which will open in Taiwan from May 31st. It is also expected that some Asian PC manufacturers like Asustek Computer Inc. will also showcase their own new tablets at the trade show.
This move has come just a day after optimistic views of the market for personal computers were reaffirmed by the company and it also announced the third major shift in its strategy for chip development in more aggressive efforts for cutting power consumption in its chips in order to target tablets and smartphones and also streamline laptop designs for the future. A new set of microprocessors called Oak Trail are being launched by Intel. These have been specially designed for tablets as the company plays catch up with ARM Holdings, which offers its technology through a number of licensees like Qualcomm Inc., Nvidia and Texas Instruments.
Even as Intel’s position is improved by this project, many analysts believe that the manufacturer faces an uphill task, especially as it has arrived late in the tablet scene and it isn’t even supported by strong partnerships and apps which have been designed for Android or other such popular tablet operating systems. Navin Shenoy, the Intel general manager for Asia-Pacific, has said that more than 35 chip based models of Intel are set to be shipped this year.
