With less than a week to go, sources reported that Acer plans to introduce Windows 8 Tablet PCs while Intel will display third generation Ultrabooks during COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2012 exhibition. Acer is reported to introduce Windows 8 tablet PCs, one model is similar to Iconia A510, a 10.1 inch display size powered by Android OS, while the newer model is A700 with 1080p display. However, specific details are available at this moment until the COMPUTEX TAIPEI exhibition starts on June 5. Microsoft has its own booth (located at booth # L0110) and also hosting a forum named Microsoft Forum 2012 in the afternoon of June 6 at Taipei International Convention Center (TICC). More info (http://www.microsoft.com/taiwan/computex2012/en/).

Also at COMPUTEX, Intel plans to introduce third generation Ultrabooks, powered by Ivy Bridge with variations such as USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt after the first generation Ultrabook came to life during last year's COMPUTEX. Furthermore, it is also reported that there will be several Ultrabooks that comes with touch screen and run Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows 8. As of today, there are close to 110 ultrabooks from branded vendors. Ideal places to see Intel Ultrabooks are in Intel's booth M0410 in Nangang Exhibition Hall and e21 Forum in the afternoon of June 5 at Plenary Hall at Taipei International Convention Center (TICC). More info (http://www.e21forum.com.tw/Page.aspx?nav=&lang=1).

Intel CEO Paul Otellini recently voice his opinions, saying that Intel chips are better than its rival ARM on Windows 8 for tablets because of decades of developing x86 chips that support the Windows operating system. Otellini said "We think it's a differentiator and we have the advantage of the incumbency, the legacy support." The new Microsoft operating system, Windows 8 will come either Windows RT for ARM-based Tablet PCs or 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 8 for x86 PCs and tablets. To make it difficult, Microsoft said that Windows 8 RT for ARM devices would not be able to run or port existing x86 applications. However, Otellini said there are several PC makers are using Intel chips for their tablet PCs to run Windows 8 OS. Intel also hopes to bring tablet features such as touchscreens to its upcoming ultrabooks. During the Intel Developer Forum Beijing, Intel is looking PC vendors to build for upcoming Windows 8 tablets, which the two reference designs  include a standard 10-inch version and an 11-inch model which includes a physical keyboard. Both reference designs will be powered by Intel new low-power AtomZ2760 chip code-named "Clover Trail" chip. It is believe that the first wave of Intel-based Windows 8 tablets are expected to reach retail stores in November, almost the same time Microsoft releases its new operating system Windows 8.

For this year's Computex, Portwell, a Taiwanese manufacturer specialized in industrial computers, showcases a variety of Intel-based embedded solutions for digital signage, arcade game consoles, audio control equipments, aviation equipments and military grade rugged computing products. Most of these solutions uses Intel's Atom or Core i processors, with ARM or AMD solutions available on customer request; And what gets most paraded about this year are their Q7(Qseven) modules, which by Qseven standard, is 70x70mm in size. According to Portwell, Qseven modules have small form factor, and the ability to separate I/O from core computing components.

And the best thing about separation of I/O and core computing components is the fact output interface components on embedded system rarely changes, by introducing Qseven module, it is possible to provide more convenient and less-costly hardware upgrades. On top of that, electronic components on Qseven module are usually the most prone to failure or damage parts in an industrial computer assembly, in the case of failure, it would be a simple matter of replacing the Qseven module on-site without returning the whole assemble for repair service. 

During the interview for this article, Portwell also reveals there are already some customers requesting ARM-based system with Android OS for digital signage, POS and etc. However, the major hurdle with this kind of solution lays in Android (Android 2.x and below) system's limitation of screen resolution, which restrict its use in applications that requires high definition displays.

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