Dell Becomes Part of Windows RT Launch Plans, HP Doesn't Go Anywhere

Microsoft has a very limited list of companies allowed to launch Windows RT-loaded tablets at the same time as its Surface, but that list has gone through some unexpected changes.

Either that, or the maker of the Windows 8 operating system has always had the same list in mind but the web followed false leads.

At any rate, what we reported just over a week ago is turning out to have been false.

For those who don't remember, it was speculated that HP was backing out of the project, leaving room open for Dell to chip in.

Digitimes now says that both companies will launch Windows RT tablets at the end of October.

HP will use processors form Texas Instruments, while Dell will employ system-on-chip platforms from Qualcomm.

Unfortunately, we don't have details on their exact gadgets, but we assume they are already mostly done. After all, ASUS and Toshiba have already revealed theirs, so HP and Dell can't afford to fall behind.

As a reminder, HP's Tablet 810 was approved by the Federal Communications Commission the other day, while Toshiba was known to be involved in the whole OS project from the very start.

On a related note, most next-generation Intel-powered tablets, which will use the default iteration of Windows 8 instead of RT (exclusive to ARM), have been prepared as well.

Thus, a significant number of tabs will be launched in the fourth quarter, first by Dell and HP, then by Samsung, Toshiba, ASUS and even Lenovo if we're reading the signs right.

Whoever doesn't get the shot at the early rise of Windows on ARM will be allowed to promote their inventions starting in the first quarter of 2013.

We'll detail each tablet as soon as they make their appearance. We imagine their specs will be largely identical, save for the CPUs at any rate.