A new report from DigiTimes reveals that Microsoft and Intel have deployed a strategy to bite a good chunk out of Apple's tablet market share. The two companies ambitiously plan to push iPad's share of the global tablet market under 50 per cent, by mid-2013.

Microsoft and Intel are reportedly working closely with their partners to develop new lines of tablets, running on the Windows 8 OS. The release time for these new devices will be sometime in the autumn, just in time for the Christmas shopping frenzy.

Microsoft is expected to release Windows 8 for desktops in September, where Intel also brings to the table its powerful Medfield processors.

Reports have stated that 32 new tablets featuring Windows 8 will be available this year. The tablets will come from hardware manufacturers such as Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, Asus, and Toshiba. The wide array of models will include a little something for every taste and a challenge for Apple.

Lenovo and Acer will deliver tablets under $300 (under £200), to appeal to the low-end market and to compete with other inexpensive Android slates. These companies will also deliver high-end tablets, with powerful and with impressive features - with prices up to $1000 (just over £600), designed specifically to take on the Apple iPad.

Source: DigiTimes