Intel's new x86 Atom architecture dubbed 'Cloverview', is set to launch before Windows 8 hits shelves early next year. Intel's Director of Product and Technology Media Relations, Bill Korcos has said the Atom Clover Trail and its Cloverview processor are designed to work with Windows 8 and it will be a "nice one-two chip-software punch."

He didn't give an exact month or quarter launch frame, but rumors of Windows 8 hitting RTM status in April would be a good indication of Intel's launch details. Kircos was clear that the upcoming x86 Atom architecture would power a bunch of new tablets, netbooks, slider devices and more.

Cloverview will be one of Intel Atom's first 32nm-based chips and is intended for tablets, which is great because the shrink is set to reduce power consumption and improve battery life. There is of course the Cedar Trail and Medfield which are prepped for netbooks and phones/tablets respectively. NVIDIA and ARM have some competition against their Kal-El and Cortex A15 products. Can Intel win? We will have to wait and see!