Besides ARM-based tablets running Windows 8, ARM' s supporters including Nvidia, TI and Qualcomm are pushing notebook players to offer Windows 8 ARM based notebooks sometime in 2013.

Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system will support System on a Chip (SoC) architectures, including ARM-based systems from partners NVIDIA, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments. On the otehr hand, the x86 architecture players Intel and AMD continue their work on low-power SoC designs that fully support Windows, including support for native x86 applications.

The upcoming "duel" among the ARM and x86 supporters is visible, as their platforms will compete in terms of power efficiency and performance, especially in mobile devices such as tablets.

Citing sources from notebook vendors in Taiwan, Digitimes.com reported that the Windows on ARM (WoA), a combination of Windows 8 and ARM-based processors, will make an official appearance at the end of 2012 and will try to compete in the notebook and not only the tablet market, by the middle of 2013.

According to the report, the ARM CPU players are aggressively cooperating with notebook players such as Asustek Computer and Lenovo and are set to launch WoA-based notebooks to test the water in mid-2013 with expectations to see the platform take off in 2014.

Despite possible advantages of the WoA platform over the x86 platforms, such as low power consumption and price, the lack of wide software support may be an obstacle for Nvidia and Qualcomm. In addition, Intel is preparing its 22nm Ivy Bridge processors, which consume less power than previous generation CPUs, have quick response and stronger security. Intel's Haswell-based processors are also following in 2013 with even more advanced designs. The competition between the two camps is expected to become the main focus of the Windows 8 generation.