Windows 8 Tablets Delayed, Atom Testing Blamed

News
By Wolfgang Gruener
published

Intel is taking some heat over a delay of Windows 8 tablets that are apparently stuck in quality control testing at Microsoft.

Rumor has it that there are still driver issues related to the Atom Z2760 processor. Microsoft is mum on the issue, while our Intel sources deny that drivers are at fault. Instead the company is pointing at "isolated vendor issues".

However, we know that Windows 8 tablets are launching much later than previously anticipated and they are already heavily discounted. Dell's Latitude 10 will not be available until January 22 - instead of a targeted launch date of December 2012 - and consumers can currently order the base model for $649, down from a "market value price" of $927. The high-end model with HSPA+ mini card will sell for $849, down from $1,212. The Windows RT version, the XPS 10, is still selling for $499, $599,, $679, and $779, without any offered discounts.

HP's convertible tablet Envy x2 11t-g000 is also delayed with an anticipated ship date of January 9. The device is priced at $850 (without HSPA+). HP is not offering discounts at this time.

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Wolfgang Gruener
30 Comments Comment from the forums
  • killerclick
    Like anyone's gonna buy them. Touchscreen netbooks that cost more than proper laptops.
    Reply
  • thecolorblue
    gimmicky devices are delayed.
    Reply
  • DjEaZy
    ... intel atom is a waste of silicon and windows 8 is a waste of hard drive space...
    Reply
  • velosteraptor
    Dell's Latitude 10 will not be available until January 22 - instead of a targeted launch date of December 2012 - and consumers can currently order the base model for $649, down from a "market value price" of $927

    Really?.. They think that its worth that much money for the base model? they are absolutely crazy.
    Reply
  • Something else is going on here, since when do Intel or especially Microsoft delay shipping something because the drivers are complete crap and it crashes? Every Microsoft OS ever released was was a BSOD-fest for the first year except for 7, and that was only because it was little more than a fixed version of Vista. Even XP was completely unstable until SP1 was released.
    Reply
  • twelve25
    killerclickLike anyone's gonna buy them. Touchscreen netbooks that cost more than proper laptops.
    Didn't you just describe the iPad?
    Reply
  • Not sure why people are saying the HP Envy X2 is delayed... I purchased on last weekend here in NZ... from what I've heard NZ has received at least 50-300 units
    Reply
  • r3dl1n3
    I just picked up the Acer W510 Yesterday..
    Say what you like but it's a tablet with no compromise..
    Forget iPad, Android.... This thing has everything even a USB port.. which actually is Micro USB but they give you the converter cable free.
    I also got the keyboard dock with it..
    18 Hours of battery life.. and a Full version of Windows..
    Pfft.. once these hit the market full force and prices start to drop.. why would you even consider an iPad of Android Tablet..
    It's even thinner and lighter than my Surface RT.
    Reply
  • I'm also one of these "anyones" that bought one of these Atom Winwows 8 tablets, and so far, apart from pressure sensitivity not working yet in Photoshop, I'm very impressed with this tablet, the Asus Vivotab. It has provided me the smoothest and snappiest Windows experience ever, beats my 3ghz quad core Windows 7 desktop. I just hope some drivers to be released soon that fixes the pressure sensitivity and some other glitches, like sound disabling after suspension.
    Reply
  • jerm1027
    r3dl1n3I just picked up the Acer W510 Yesterday..Say what you like but it's a tablet with no compromise..Forget iPad, Android.... This thing has everything even a USB port.. which actually is Micro USB but they give you the converter cable free.I also got the keyboard dock with it..18 Hours of battery life.. and a Full version of Windows..Pfft.. once these hit the market full force and prices start to drop.. why would you even consider an iPad of Android Tablet..It's even thinner and lighter than my Surface RT.The Linux Kernel just started to support ARM architecture natively, which means no more emulation for Android, which means performance and battery boost. The Asus Transformer has already had USB host (full USB I might add) and 19 hours battery life for quite some time. There are also other models that support USB hosting, and full x86 versions of Linux are already being ported to the Nexus 7. I do think a Windows 8 (x86_64) hybrid tablet is very enticing, but it would have to have a hell of a price drop, especially considering how cheap Android devices are.
    Reply