HP and Dell will both release tablets based on the forthcoming ARM-powered Windows RT operating system after it’s launched in October, according to the latest rumours swirling from the supply chain in Asia.

Speculation has been mounting about the hardware vendors chosen to supply the first wave of tablets running the new OS - Microsoft's first to be based on chips designed by ARM, the British company whose chip technology powers the iPad.

It was rumoured that, given Microsoft’s strict demands on hardware quality for this launch, there was room for only six vendors on the shortlist.

HTC has already been locked out of the development process as it was deemed not to have enough experience producing tablets, according to a report.

Now Digitimes has chipped in, its “upstream supply chain” sources claiming that tablets from HP and Dell based on the new OS will be launched after 26 October, with HP’s running Texas Instruments chips and Dell partnering with Qualcomm.

This is slightly at odds with rumours from China last week which claimed that Nvidia, Qualcomm and TI had each been told by Redmond they could choose up to two vendors.

It said that Qualcomm had actually chosen Samsung and HP, while TI had selected Toshiba and Nvidia plumped for Acer and Lenovo.

Time will tell who’s got it right but the manufacturers will certainly have their work cut out to make a lasting impression on the market.

Microsoft famously threw its own hat into the ring in June after it unveiled its Surface ultrabook/tablet hybrid, while Apple’s fondleslab remains dominant with a share of around 70 per cent in the UK despite slowing sales growth.

Dell refused to comment on the news while HP couldn't be reached. ®