With Microsoft's recent announcement of adding support to Qualcomm's processor solutions in Windows 10, sources from the upstream supply chain have pointed out that many brand vendors have already started developing and testing notebooks and tablets using Qualcomm application processors (APs) and their final products are likely to arrive at the end market in the second half of 2017.

The sources pointed out that Qualcomm solutions' advantages in battery life and costs are attracting vendors to invest resources in related product development. Although it is still rather early to determine whether such devices will see strong demand, most vendors believe extra choices are good for the PC market as differentiation is an important factor.

Following its WinHEC event in Shenzhen, China on December 8-9, Microsoft is hosting another WinHEC event in Taipei, Taiwan with Microsoft's OEM Division corporate vice president Nick Parker to present a keynote. The event runs from December 14-15.