Dell Tablet Roadmap Hints at Windows 8 Early 2012

Android Central managed to get hold of a roadmap from Dell about which tablets are being released over the coming year.

Something interesting was found at the end of the time scale for January 2012, that interesting item is a reference to a Windows 8 tablet. Speculation has now begun that Microsoft [MSFT] could begin using Window 8 on tablets as early as the first quarter of 2012 although a number of people have questioned if 1Q2012 is just a bit too soon.

The release date of Windows 7 for the desktop was 2009. It took 3 years to develop the OS from what we understand. “If” development started for Windows 8 at that time and we can assume a 3 year or so cycle from start to being on the shelf then this would likely put a Windows 8 release date sometime towards the end of 2012 and not the beginning.

Of course, Microsoft may have started development of Windows 8 before Windows 7 launched and perhaps Microsoft is looking at a whole new rewrite of the OS to make it compatible with desktop as well as having a specific tablet edition available. We do look forwards to CES 2012 as we believe we’ll see the tablet competition heat up even more.

Also remember that we could be looking at unveiling dates here in that MIcrosoft could announced Windows 8 but not deliver it for another 8 to 12 months.