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Tablets running Windows 8 on x86 will apparently have a slight edge over those running the same OS on ARM.

Windows 8 To Have More x86 Over ARM In Tablets

Intel is all set to launch their tablet efforts with Windows 8. One of the good things going for them is the fact that there will probably be more x86 tablets immediately post the Windows 8 launch than ARM tablets. The main reason behind this seems to be the familiarity factor with x86 for most PC manufacturers. Companies like HP, Dell, Toshiba, Acer and Asus are much more at comfort working with x86 and they are all very eager to get in on the tablet market.

Beyond that lies the fact that Intel is bringing out special chips that are going to be pushed for the tablet and ultra-portable markets. Bringing in extra leverage is the desktop side of Windows 8, which can only be fully realized on a x86 machine. This is especially true because ARM has no way of running legacy software that was built on and for a x86 architecture.

Most of the productivity and high-end work that goes on in Windows are on software that will instantly become legacy at Windows 8 launch. So to run them, users will need to use x86 machines. However, Microsoft has done the good job of making sure that all current applications running on Windows 7 will run on Windows 8 as well.

In fact, Windows 8 is being built in way that enables any user to do an in-place upgrade. The installer will automatically advice on application compatibility going onward with the upgrade. If something goes wrong, there’s automatic roll-back and the system restore.

So it is time for ARM and Intel to battle it out on the field but for now, Intel seems to have a slight advantage over ARM by being the largest x86 chipmaker in the world.