Digitimes Research: Tegra 4 stands good chance of becoming a new platform for Windows RT

Eric Lin, DIGITIMES Research, Taipei [Thursday 10 January 2013]

Nvidia unveiled a pilot tablet based on its new Tegra 4 processor and Microsoft's Windows RT operating system at CES 2013, and since the device is already operating smoothly, Nvidia will have a chance of becoming the CPU supplier for next-generation Surface tablets or Windows RT-based tablets from other IT players, according to Digitimes Research senior analyst Eric Lin.

Since Nvidia has a long history of cooperation with Microsoft in terms of graphics and GPGPU computing technologies, while demand for GPU computing has started to weigh heavier, these advantages are all expected to help Nvidia become competitive in the Windows RT market.

As for Nvidia's new Project Shield, a mobile gaming device based on Tegra 4 and Android with an industrial design combining a game controller with a 5-inch high-definition touch panel, Digitimes Research believes the device will satisfy gaming enthusiasts. and through Android's flourishing ecosystem, Nvidia will be able to maintain an edge competing against games console players such as Nintendo and Sony.

Although Nvidia has strong ambitions to set up a whole industrial chain from cloud computing services to own-brand end products with its advanced technologies, the company may still face issues such as difficulty establishing an ecosystem, maintaining reasonable costs and strengthening applications. Until it can solve these issues, the company might find it difficult to persuade partners to coordinate with its plans.