Quanta Manufacturing ARM Tablets for Toshiba, Lenovo

Quanta Computer will manufacturer Windows on ARM tablets for Lenovo and Toshiba, claims insiders.

DigiTimes reports that Toshiba and Lenovo have selected contractor Quanta Computer as their manufacturer of choice for Windows on ARM (WoA) tablets. Based on insider information provided by unnamed industry sources, both companies are expected to launch their ARM-based Windows 8 tablets using quad-core SoCs from Nvidia and Qualcomm in the first quarter of 2013 -- a whole year from now.

As for non-ARM versions, the sources also add that Lenovo is actively developing Windows 8 units based on Intel's Medfield and Clover Trail-W platforms for the second half of 2012, one of which is the already-announced IdeaPad Yoga that packs an awesome 360-degree flip/fold design, allowing for four different positions -- the device even won our Best of CES Award. Sources claim similar hybrids will likely emerge within the year.

Previously DigiTimes stated that there was concern over the WoA tablets, as both Nvidia and Qualcomm were facing bottlenecks in their development of support for Windows 8, and shortages in R&D staff and resources, thus delaying their appearance on the market. The uncertainty stems from whether the ARM-based tablets will be able to fend off stiff competition from the x86-based Windows 8 models that will already be on the market in 1Q13.

Lenovo and Toshiba have yet to disclose specific plans for Windows on ARM tablets, so stay tuned.