Microsoft prepping for tablet market

As Microsoft attempts to enter the growing tablet market, the company is restricting the number of computer-hardware companies that can produce tablets based on its Windows 8 operating system, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report.

Sources told the publication that Microsoft has selected five manufacturers to develop tablet and clamshell devices based on the Windows mobile platform.

"We are continuing the engineering work with our silicon partners as part of the technology preview we talked about in January, and continue to talk regularly with hardware partners around the world as part of our development process," said a Microsoft representative.

According to the source, the approach allows Microsoft to control the process and ensure Windows 8 works well on the device, while also speeding up the process.

Paul McDougall of InformationWeek wrote that, although consumers may be opting for the iPad and Android-powered tablets, businesses are likely to adopt a Windows 8 tablet for its productivity benefits for the workforce.

The tablet market is expected to reach astonishing levels in a short period of time. According to research by RBC Capital Markets, tablet revenue is expected to reach $70 billion by 2014, increasing from $11 billion in 2010.