Dell and HP Opt for Windows 8 in 2012 Tablets

Responding to the, well, lack of response from the individual and corporate consumer to just about any tablet that isn’t an iPad, Hewlett-Packard and Dell are abandoning Android and moving toward Windows 8 for tablet releases scheduled in 2012.

PC World writers pointed out that the iPad currently dominates more than 70 percent of the tablet market, which is about to see another push from Amazon with its Kindle Fire set to sell for $199, so “it makes sense that HP and Dell would turn to Windows 8 and try to carve out a new niche.”

When Windows 8 was first announced, the public reaction was pretty dull with some asking, “Do we even need a Windows 8?” But it seems its integration with tablets will answer that question.

One notable difference of the new operating system is a new touch-friendly interface that will not only suit tablets well, but is also said to provide streamlined functionality between tablets, laptops and desktops alike.  As a rental supplier to all of the above, we like the sound of that.

Dell’s CEO Michael Dell said at Dell World 2011 that the Android opportunity hasn’t developed to expectations, and that a wide range of Windows 8 products are planned.

Analysts predict that the Windows 8 tablets will likely be geared toward business users as Windows has been a regular favorite in the enterprise. 

As an organization that specializes in business-to-business tablet rentals, we’ll be waiting to see if HP or Dell is able to release the Windows 8 innovation first.