Microsoft reportedly has a plan to avoid consumer confusion about the differences between Windows 8 tablets based on ARM and x86/x64 chips: Allow very few ARM-based tablets onto store shelves.
When Windows 8 launches, which is expected later this year, there could be fewer than five ARM-based devices available and only three of those would be one-panel touch tablets. Meanwhile, more than 40 different Windows 8 machines using Intel chips will be available at launch, according to Bloomberg. The report did not specify if Intel chips meant the x86/x64 chip architecture (also used by AMD) or actual Intel-branded processors.
Speaking with anonymous sources, Bloomberg said the reason there will so few devices using ARM technology is that Microsoft is holding Windows 8 ARM-based devices to "rigorous quality-control standards." Also, the company reportedly wants to control the number of ARM devices available during the initial Windows 8 launch.