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HP Scraps Plans for ARM-based Windows RT Tablets

There won't be any ARM-based Windows RT tablets coming from HP, since it has scrapped plans to introduce them. Instead HP will focus on a business slate using the x86-based Windows 8. It may be that this decision was taken due to Microsoft bringing out its own ARM-based Windows RT tablet, the Surface (no release date given) which it revealed last week to much fanfare, which immediately sparked speculation (from SemiAccurate and The Wall Street Journal, in particular) that it would trigger a backlash from Microsoft's OEM channel who would rebel against the idea of their software partner building a competitive device.

However, unsurprisingly, this has not been confirmed by HP. A HP spokesman explained that while products based on ARM processors will continue to be explored, they are currently sticking with x86 due to compatibility with current software, "I can confirm that at HP, we continue to look at using ARM processors in business and consumer products. However, our first Win 8 tablet will be on the x86 platform focused on the business market. The decision to go with x86 was influenced by input from our customers. The robust and established ecosystem of x86 applications provides the best customer experience at this time and in the immediate future."

Interestingly, one PCMag source familiar with HP and Microsoft said HP had gone so far as to build out a Windows RT tablet using a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset but scrapped those plans more than two weeks ago.

If that's the case, HP's decision was made before the Surface was revealed publicly. Perhaps HP was given advance notice of Microsoft's Surface plans and made its decision in light of that news, but the source couldn't confirm that.

PC Magazine

Posted by | Sat, Jun 30, 2012 - 07:16 PM

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