Windows 8 tablets will be home for the holidays

Already trying to decide what to get that special someone this holiday season? Those who like to plan ahead may consider picking up a brand new Windows® 8 tablet computer, as CNET reports that the first of these devices are expected to hit shelves in November.

According to the news provider, an unidentified source familiar with device manufacturers' plans says several Intel-based Windows 8 tablets will be ready to go by the 2012 winter holidays.

Tablet computers aren't the only Windows 8 devices expected to see the light of day this year. According to CNET, the source also says nearly half of the devices shipped by the holidays will be hybrids, mostly likely some take on the burgeoning Ultrabook™ computer, which Intel® has been promoting for some time now.

The news provider does not indicate when we can expect to see Windows RT, another version of the operating system designed for devices with chips based on the ARM architecture.

Microsoft®, for its part, has generated significant buzz around the upcoming release of Windows 8. While there is definite excitement surrounding the operating system, some wonder if the software giant has waited too long to get into the tablet arena. Sales figures during the holiday season may be the earliest indicator of what to expect from Microsoft in this space.