Microsoft to end Intel's dominance with Windows 8

With the Windows 8, unlike its previous releases Microsoft is not just limited to radically enhanced user interface but it has ended up its long held duopoly with Intel as new Windows will be coming for tablets and and with this step Microsoft has opened a gate for new Chipmakers.

Before this, all computer manufacturers were restricted to use processors built on Intel's processor architecture to ship Windows devices but for the first time in its history PC manufacturers can ship windows devices that runs on processors other than Intel's architecture.Windows 8 will run on both x86 chips and processors based on the architecture created by British chip designer ARM.

ARM-based semiconductors are among the fastest-growing chip sets in the world, thanks to their popularity in mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. The ARM chips are particularly good at sipping power, preserving battery life and enabling constant connectivity, all things that will be crucial components of Windows 8 tablets. In past few years, ARM has really captured the smartphone market with its highly efficient processor.

The opening up of the Windows platform unlocks new doors for ARM-based chipmakers like Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and Nvidia. Each believes it is uniquely suited to take advantage of the Windows 8 opportunity. On the other hand, this step from Microsoft is also likely to end up the dominance of Intel and bring up a competitive market for chipmakers where efficiency and performance will be preferred and not the brand.