Tablet PCs themselves aren't new, but the entire segment is revitalized now thanks to Apple and its iPad.
While ARM-based chip solutions, such as Nvidia's Tegra family and even Apple's A4 chip, seem well suited enough for tablets, Intel isn't going to leave that market alone.
Apparently, Intel is working on a "dedicated architecture and dedicated solution" for tablets. Carrypad got a soundbite from Intel's Mooley Eden, and Tech Report transcribed his comment.
So Mooly, a question regarding how soon can we see ULV into tablets. Anytime soon?I believe that ULV, if you look at it, you might find [a] few in tablets, but I believe the tablets will require different solutions. Probably they'll require even thinner TDP than what you have seen in the ULV. And for the tablets we've got special solutions that we're going to [uncover] at the coming Computex. We'll have a dedicated silicon for the tablet space. Because the ULV, although it's great for 0.75" or 0.8" notebooks, might be too hot for a tablet, and you need even a lower-power solution. We decided to come with [a] dedicated architecture and dedicated solution to address the tablet segment.
Intel's new Atom-based Moorestown chips could do the trick, but then again, there could be another new reveal at Computex.
In related news, MSI and Asus have long announced ARM-based tablets that run Android – but Digitimes reports that OEMs are now shifting over to Intel and Microsoft powered devices after some "persuasion" from the two giants.
While the ARM-powered Android tablets are still in the works, they may no longer be in the spotlight.
