Intel is apparently being blamed for a delay of Clover Trail Windows 8 tablets.
According to a report published by Bloomberg, Intel has not finalized the power management software for Clover Trail yet, causing Microsoft to hold off from approving any of the tablets.
Both Intel and Microsoft declined to comment on the report, but one source familiar with the matter told Tom's Hardware that the issue is not due to a delay of the power management software, but an isolated vendor issue. The source told us that the power management software for Clover Trail is "all good" and there are no anticipated delays in the availability of Clover Trail tablets from Intel's and Microsoft's side.
Of course reports about a problem affecting the availability of Intel hardware for the launch of Windows 8 does not help Intel, and certainly not the vendor base, which is already being tested with the introduction of Windows RT for hardware devices. Earlier, Intel's Paul Otellini was reported raising doubt about the readiness of Windows, which, if it happened, was certainly blown out of proportion that required damage control from Intel.
Neither Intel nor Microsoft can afford Windows 8 / RT to flop and the current lack of enthusiasm for Windows 8 among vendors and consumers is certainly a reason for concern and showing nerves.
"Windows 8 held back due to Intel being slow, not because it's not finished!"