Nokia Rumored to Release Windows 8 Tablet in 4Q12

Those notorious unnamed upstream component suppliers who like to dish out rumor after rumor now claim that Nokia will introduce a Windows 8 tablet in 4Q12. The tablet will reportedly feature a 10-inch screen and a dual-core Qualcomm SoC. Naturally that means the gadget will sport Windows on ARM, the non-x86/64 version of Windows 8 that Microsoft insists will go retail along with the x86/64 version this fall.

According to the sources, Nokia is expected to outsource production of the 10-inch tablet to Compal Electronics. The first batch of shipments should top around 200,000 units, yet Nokia may find itself needing more given the pre-Holiday Season timeframe. Will Windows 8 products be a hot commodity for holiday shoppers? It's a possibility if the OS itself doesn't see a delay.

By the third quarter of 2012, if rumors at true, Google's 7-inch Nexus tablet should already be on the market, gearing up for additional sales thanks to high demand and possible pre-holiday app/music/book/movie discounts. Amazon will likely be in the same boat, duking it out with Google in the $199 arena using its 2nd-generation Kindle Fire. Apple might even have a smaller, more affordable iPad in that same timeframe. On top of all of that, Windows 8-based tablets are slated to arrive in both x86/64 and ARM-based form factors.

That said, Nokia's presence in the Windows on ARM assault will reportedly give Microsoft an additional dose of strength against Google, Amazon and Apple in the 2012 tablet arena. Yet Nokia's presence is also expected to further intensify competition among non-Apple tablet vendors including Asus, Acer, Motorola and more. As with the Android market where vendors are trying to become the One True iPad Rival, the same will hold true in the Windows 8 tablet market, now spiced up even more with Nokia's presence.

This isn't the first time we've heard about a Nokia tablet. The company first talked about the form factor back in 2010, saying it would sport Microsoft's Windows 7 OS. Then in 2011 the company said the tablet would use MeeGo instead. But now that Nokia and Microsoft are the best of buddies on the smartphone front, it makes sense that Nokia would switch over to the extremely touchy Windows on ARM platform and try to serve as Microsoft's champion.

Other manufacturers lined up to offer Windows 8 tablets include Dell which plans to offer a business-based version at launch. HP is reportedly working on both Intel-based and AMD-based versions. Whether any of these Windows 8 tablet solutions will fully rival Apple's iPad tablet line remains to be seen.

  • zzz_b
    Not a Windows fan, but the more choices the better!
    Curious about both Win and Linux/GNU touch capabilities.
    Hope they will match iOS and Android, or even better, faster response times.
    Reply
  • EDVINASM
    In general response time relies on hardware (CPU/GPU/APU.. and the touchscreen type itself). Windows 8 devices should sport high spec hardware, hence touch screen experience should be very fluid.
    Reply
  • __-_-_-__
    by then nokia fills bankrupt.
    Reply
  • Memnarchon
    We saw from microsoft (a week ago) 1ms touchscreen probably for tablets with windows 8 and now this. Coincidence?...
    Reply
  • kartu
    HTC can make Windows phones and Android phones.
    Samsung can make Windows phones as well as Android phones.

    Yet Nokia, the #1 (still) manufacturer can not make both Android and Windows phones. And "obviously" it has nothing to do with the fact, that it's current CEO is a former Microsoft employee...

    /facepalm
    Reply
  • classzero
    I am looking forward to windows 8 tablets, absolutely not interested in a windows 8 tablet where the chip can not run all windows software.
    Reply
  • BSMonitor
    Windows on ARM, what a joke. And it's supposed to compete against iOS. Better get the Atom version out quick if there to be any performance out of those things.....
    Reply
  • jaber2
    Microsoft can pump more money into Nokia, for as long as it needs to get it right, MS it is still getting patent money from makers of android devices.
    Reply
  • jhansonxi
    kartuHTC can make Windows phones and Android phones.Samsung can make Windows phones as well as Android phones.Yet Nokia, the #1 (still) manufacturer can not make both Android and Windows phones. And "obviously" it has nothing to do with the fact, that it's current CEO is a former Microsoft employee.../facepalmFor some reason they still can make a Symbian phone (like the recent model with the high-resolution camera).
    Reply
  • killerclick
    Windows 8 is going to fail because it doesn't have any advantages on tablets over iOS or Android and it's forcing desktop users to use a tablet UI (Metro). It's all about money of course. Microsoft is trying to turn the PC into a kiosk/console that runs preapproved apps from the Microsoft app store (Microsoft gets 30% share of app sales and ad revenue from ad-supported apps). But we get pretty tiles, so I guess it's okay?
    Reply