Microsoft rumored to be developing a tablet PC - how far, how good?

Eying at the quick exploring tablet market, Microsoft is reportedly planning to launch an own-brand tablet PC late next year. The rumor on Microsoft tablet kicked off at the Computex Taipei, in which the Redmond-based software giant demonstrated its upcoming tablet-centric operating system, Windows 8, perhaps a codename only.

Microsoft Tablet PC 2012

The followed-up rumors suggested that Microsoft has called up chipmaker Texas Instruments and Taiwan-based OEMs/ODMs to bring its tablet PC into a reality. It is speculated that the company would look into the branding strategies of its previous hardware experiments such as Xbox 360, Zune Media Player and Kin smartphone.

The rumor:

In short, the escalating rumor is that Microsoft will emerge out its own tablet PC on an update of its famous product Windows 7, which has received both tablet and smartphone versions. For the Windows based tablet, Microsoft has teamed up with Texas Instruments and a number of Taiwanese component manufacturers.

The unknown:

Though Microsoft has announced arrival of its Windows OS update, no more details are available about the product. The company has not mentioned when exactly the software update will reach into the market. Anyway, Microsoft will have to work hard to make successful a tablet PC of its own. Even though the company’s gaming console Xbox 360 was a great hit in the market, Microsoft failed to find an attractive market for its Zune Music Player and Kin smartphone. Hence the software giant will have to be much watchful of its new product.

Microsoft Tablet PC 2012 Factbox

The known:

The idea of a Windows 8 tablet is indeed exciting. Interestingly Microsoft has not yet refuted the rumor on Windows 8 tablet. On asked about the project, Microsoft’s spokesman said that they did not have any update to share on it. That means the company has undertaken the project to roll out a special Windows 8 tablet.

What if it’s true:

If the speculations regarding Windows 8 tablet PC are true, Microsoft will move on with its plan to become a competitor to Apple, which prepares both software and hardware for tablets and smartphones. Microsoft will be trying to become a big challenger to Apple and also to Google Android platform, which is slowly dominating over Apple iOS globally. As well, with the tablet, we will get another hardware product from Microsoft after its featured Zune Media Player, Kin smartphone and Xbox 360. But it will affect companies like Acer and HP, which used to offer Windows based desktops, laptops and tablets in partnership with Microsoft.