Windows 8 tablets get delayed due to a tricky Intel chip

Such are the risks when you put your trust in only one chip maker. Intel's new Clover Trail Atom Z2760 processor is said to be giving headaches to a number of Windows 8 tablet manufacturers which may have to delay their products until early 2013 because of this.

The tablets, which were expected to arrive in time for the holiday season, but will probably get delayed include the Dell Latitude 10, HP Envy x2, Asus VivoTab Smart and Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2. The manufacturers are reportedly finding it hard to develop proper drivers for this new processor, preventing them from releasing their tablets. The Atom Z2760 processor is expected to deliver a very good performance/battery life ratio, almost similar to those of Apple's iPad and the better Android tablets, but what good is this when your product can't even reach the market?

Still, not all manufacturers are said to be having difficulties with the new chip, as Samsung and Acer have already shipped their ATIV Smart PC and Iconia W510, respectively, both of which are equipped with the Z2760. However, we can't be sure if their drivers are fully utilizing the chip's powers or are just good enough to provide stable performance.

It is expected that these delays will hurt the tablet manufacturers, especially those that specialize in the enterprise market.