Intel Reportedly Lending Support To Convertible Android Notebooks

The chip giant has a bit of a change of heart it seems. Up until now Intel did not think much of laptops that did not run Microsoft’s Windows operating system, but changing times call for changing approach.

New rumors suggest that Chipzilla has altered its tune.

Windows 8 may not have done enough to rekindle interest in the sales of notebooks and laptops, but Microsoft is very optimistic that the upcoming Windows 8.1 (codename Windows Blue) will clear the road of success for all types of mobile devices — tablets, notebooks, ultrabooks and more.

But sources from notebook vendors claim that Intel is now promoting Android convertible notebooks, as the CPU maker feels that consumers would be interested in these devices.

Just a few days back Intel put its support behind the Windows platform, and the company seemed fairly optimistic that upcoming Windows 8.1 devices based on its Intel Atom (Bay Trail) platform could hit the $200 sweet spot.

But market watchers believe that the price point for Android products that include a detachable keyboard is $500 — tad more lucrative. Plus Intel is of the view that many consumers are already familiar with Android smartphones and tablets.

A few hardware vendors are also set to jump in — including Acer, ASUS, HP, Lenovo and Toshiba.

All are poised to release some sort of Android convertible devices, and this probably played a role in Intel putting its weight behind the platform.

How this will affect the Windows RT could be the difference between success and failure.

This will not be good news for Microsoft, considering the company still believes in the success of its Windows RT platform, and is very much ready to flood the market with a variety of solutions (at all price points) powered by Windows 8.1.

Oh well, no one ever said the technology industry was dull and boring.