Microsoft To Introduce Oak Trail Based Tablet in 2011

Apple has clearly demonstrated its command over the still-in-its-infancy tablet segment, not only by the sheer volume of iPads it has sold, but also by the fact that most of the other prominent tablet makers have decided to adopt the rather unfortunate moniker as well. However, in a bid to prove that Microsoft is not out and done yet, its Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer has announced that the company is working on its very own tablet, which is expected to hit the shelves some time in 2011. The tablet will feature Intel's Oak Trail processor, which is a newer and more efficient version of Atom processor.

Microsoft is also pushing its Window 7 platform aggressively and several OEMs like Fujitsu, Acer and Dell are likely to introduce their Windows 7 based tablets by the end of the year. However, the company is getting setbacks as well. Its 2009 "Courier Project" to develop a tablet had to be shelved earlier this year. On the other hand, its strategic partner HP is now putting more emphasis on developing a WebOS based tablet instead of Windows 7 based system.

Meanwhile, Intel is fine-tuning its processors. The new Oak Trail processors are said to be much more energy efficient than the current Atom processor. The new processor is also better suited to be used in ultra thin tablet devices. The company has also worked towards making the processor Android and Meego compatible.

So, the tablet segment is sure heating up. Let us know your views. Which OS based tablet would you prefer to buy. And also would the advent of tablet mean the end of Netbooks?

Source: DigitalTrends