14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 8, or Windows RT as the special version is called, may support the ARM architecture, but Microsoft hasn't actually taken it upon itself to make sure every platform works under its OS.
That means that the drivers developed by Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, Samsung, NVIDIA, and everyone else with a stake in this segment, will play a significant role in the market of Windows tablets.
According to a report, NVIDIA is almost finished developing the Tegra 3 driver for Windows RT. Its experience with developing Windows drives doubtlessly helped it. This gives it an advantage over the others.
On that note, the true competition on the x86 front could become Advanced Micro Devices instead of Intel. Like NVIDIA, AMD has been making Windows drivers for years, and the rumored Hondo APU can only benefit from that.
We won't know anything for sure until October 26, though. That's when Microsoft Surface and all other Windows tablets begin to ship.