Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) is providing chips for new devices from Dell Inc. (DELL) and Samsung Electronics Co. (SSNHY, 005930.SE) that run Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) Windows RT operating system, people familiar with the matter said. The newest version of Windows, to be released in October, will be the first to work with chips based on the ARM Holdings PLC (ARMH, ARM.LN) architecture, not just those from traditional partners Intel Corp. (INTC) and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD). Microsoft and system makers are turning to makers of ARM-based chips--used in most smartphones and tablets--to make inroads against Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) iPad, which continues to dominate the market. Both Dell and Samsung are working on tablets that run on Qualcomm's application processors, people familiar with the matter said. The Dell product is a notebook that converts to a tablet, one of the people said. Other details weren't immediately known. Microsoft and its hardware partners have said products will be unveiled as the market approaches the Windows 8 and Windows RT launch. Qualcomm dominates the smartphone market, but it has had some setbacks with Windows RT. PC giant Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ) was working with Qualcomm on a Windows RT device, but it said in June that it had set aside immediate plans for the new technology. Instead, H-P said it would focus on Intel-powered tablets for business users. And Microsoft chose to use processors from Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) when it created its self-branded tablet, dubbed Surface. Some PC makers have privately complained about the lack of software and other aspects of adopting Windows RT, including the question of consumer demand for the product. Adding to the challenges for companies considering Windows RT is Microsoft's push to make its own hardware. The Surface announcement is believed to have surprised and angered computer makers, which now face the prospect of competing with their software partner. Microsoft on Monday provided some new details about the development of devices that use Windows RT including discussing which PC makers are working on tablets. The company has limited the number of computer designers who could work with chip makers for an initial release of Windows RT tablets. Nvidia has been working with Asustek Computer Inc. (ASUUY, 2357.TW) and Lenovo Group Ltd. (LNVGY, 0992.HK), according to people familiar with the matter. The final Windows RT chip supplier, Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN), has been working with Toshiba Corp. (TOSYY, 6502.TO) on Windows RT devices, with the two earlier this year demonstrating a tablet. Questions about the device emerged following Microsoft's blog post Monday that left Toshiba off the list of Windows RT tablet partners. A Toshiba spokesman said the company plans to release a statement later Monday. TI, meanwhile, said its Windows RT development and collaboration with Microsoft are "still going strong." Write to Shara Tibken at shara.tibken@dowjones.com Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires
