Timing of Windows 8 Launch Expected to Slow Intel’s Sales During 2012

Intel might sell the hardware for Microsoft’s software, but it’s the latter company’s schedule that can have a greater impact on the former’s revenue. Intel’s products tend to fly off the shelves whenever a new Windows OS is released, because it’s the time when a lot of people have it in their minds to upgrade or purchase brand-new PCs. After all, a new OS goes great with some fresh hardware, right?

While Windows 8 is expected to launch late 2012, being that it’s such a major upgrade from Windows 7, it’s expected that people will be a little reserved with regards to jumping on the OS. It’s being touted as being the biggest rewrite in Windows’ history, with some even comparing the jump to moving from DOS to Windows 3.x (I think that’s a little generous, however).

Intel CEO Paul Otellini is a little more positive, and has stated in recent months that Windows 8 will prove to be a boon for his company. At CES, the company showed off Intel-equipped tablets running Windows 8, and I’m sure as the year goes on, we’ll be hearing a lot more about them. But note that I said “tablets”… that right there might be the reason Intel’s sales after the Windows 8 launch might be a little sluggish.