A few standout tech names have the requisite catalysts to head higher before 2012 is finished. Intel, Google, Baidu, AMD and Arm Holdings are set to redraw the architecture of the tablet and smartphone market, with potentially substantial margin expansion likely to follow suit.

Window’s 8 tablets sporting Intel (INTC)‘s technology should hit the market before the year is out.

Or so the rumors say. However, it seems to me that Windows will struggle to meet its target and successfully create a new OS that needs to run four to five architectures within the set time frame. It just simply does not seem possible. Manufacturers will be releasing a variety of form factors for Windows 8 devices. About half of the new tablets will combine aspects of a traditional physical keyboard-based laptop and tablet, so this really is a new path for the company to pursue. This may make things substantially easier for those who struggle with new technology. In my mind, this will ease the transition for computer users from a keyboard based system to a touch screen.

It can go without saying that the new tablets will be serious competition for similar products already on the market.

All of the devices will contain Clover Trail, which is Intel’s first dual-core Atom design based on its 32-nanometer process technology. We can also expect Intel’s higher-performance Ivy Bridge processor to be incorporated into new tablet designs down the line. Innovation does not stop there.To continue reading, click here.