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Microsoft hopes to turn the momentum against the Apple iPad by offering a version of its upcoming Windows 8 operating system that will run on tablets. The software giant from Redmond will be waging an uphill battle, though, as many consumers have already settled on the iPad as their tablet of choice. Will Windows 8 really manage to make much of a dent against the iPad?

The lesson here, if there is one, is that if you’re going to compete in the consumer electronics business with something new, you’d better be first with something that works really well, or else you’re probably wasting your time and money.

With tablets the rage, non-Apple computer manufacturers are banking on the latest small-laptop style: ultrabooks.

As Google reportedly may launch an own-brand tablet PC to compete against Apple’s iPad, sources from Google’s upstream supply chain believe that Google, instead of Apple, may actually be targeting Amazon’s 7-inch Kindle Fire as its major competitor. However, Google Taiwan commented that the company has never heard about plan of launching own-brand tablet PC.

Acer, after refuting rumors about plans to phase out of the tablet PC and smartphone markets, has adjusted strategies for its tablet PC business and will focus on a Windows-based model in the future, while Asustek Computer will continue to put its focus on Android-based models and is currently evaluating Windows 8-based models, according to sources from upstream supply chain.