Dell hints at ditching Android in favor of Windows 8

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Founder and chief executive of Dell, Michael Dell, has hinted that the company may be planning to drop Android in favor of Windows 8.

“We are very aligned with Microsoft around Windows 8. You’ll hear more about Windows 8 from us and see a wide range of products released,” Dell told journalists during a press briefing for Dell World 2011 on Wednesday, according to V3. Dell’s comments come shortly after Microsoft unveiled Windows 8 to developers at its BUILD conference in September. Dell previously described Windows 8 as “pretty encouraging” and appears to be disappointed with Google’s Android operating system. “Android is certainly another opportunity as well, but that market has not developed to the expectations they would have had,” said Dell. The company shipped an Android-based 5-inch tablet last year but the device failed to make an impact against rival devices.

Dell is understood to be readying Windows 7 and Windows 8 tablets. Dell previously teased a 10-inch Windows 7 based tablet at an event in San Francisco back in February. The company promised to bring the device to market by the end of the year. Pictures of the device leaked earlier this month, indicating that Dell might be ready to unveil its Windows tablet. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is due to speak at Dell World 2011 on October 14. Ballmer will likely detail the company’s cloud efforts with Azure but he could also endorse Dell’s business tablet offering if it’s ready to be unveiled. Dell World kicks off on Thursday October 13 and includes keynotes from Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini, VMware President and CEO Paul Martiz and Salesforce chairman and CEO Marc Benioff. Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell will provide the initial keynote address on October 13.

Dell also recently dismissed claims that the technology industry is enterting a post-PC era. Dell has been a long time advocate of Microsoft’s operating systems and has released a number of touch enabled devices. Dell’s Inspiron Duo is a hybrid device that allows users to switch between netbook and tablet modes. The unique netbook has a spinning screen that allows it to be used as a tablet.

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