Even though Intel Corp. has invested a lot of money into development of chips and system-on-chip (SoC) devices for ultra-portable personal computers or consumer electronics, manufacturers of actual products still prefer ARM architecture-based microprocessors due to lower price and power consumption. Still, Intel Atom and Windows-based slates will emerge, a media report claims.

For PC makers, a leading priority is releasing ARM- and Google Android-based devices, a report from DigiTimes web-site claims. Central processing units and SoCs from Intel have disadvantages over price, power consumption and heat dissipation compared to ARM processors, the story claims. As a result, makers of tablet PCs are leaning towards chips powered by ARM architecture.

Intel is reportedly talking with numerous Taiwan-based PC vendors to showcase Intel-based tablet PCs at Intel Developer Forum 2010 (IDF 2010). While most manufacturers have agreed to demonstrate engineering samples, the question is whether they will mass-produce the Intel-based tablet PCs since it actually depends on market demands.

One of the problems that Intel faces is that its already available Atom Z600-series code-named Moorestown SoCs do not support Windows operating system and therefore need to rely on Android or MeeGo OSs. Microsoft Windows-supporting SoC code-named Oak Trail chips will only emerge late this year, thus, Intel will miss crucial Holiday season with tablets powered by Intel Atom technology.

Tags: Intel, Oak Trail, MeeGo, Android, Windows