HP and Dell Windows 8 Atom Tablets Delayed to 2013

Until not long ago, HP and Dell still hoped they would be able to formally launch some of their Windows 8 tablets before the end of the year.

And by Windows 8 tablets we mean slates powered by one of Intel's Atom CPUs.

Dell's Latitude 10 is one of the delayed products. Powered by the Intel Atom Z2760 CPU, its hardware and software look good on paper, but the practical application is a bit more complicated.

Basically, Dell and HP, and probably other tablet makers as well for that matter, have encountered difficulties in developing drivers for the chip.

The goal is to put the slates on the same footing as Android tablets and Apple's iPad in terms of energy efficiency.

According to InformationWeek, a Dell customer learned of the delay when enquiring about an order placed on November 28, 2012.

Shipments for both Dell and HP tablets should now begin on January 22, 2013.