Remember the comments from Acer CEO J.T. Wang on Microsoft's going ahead with the Surface tablet? Maybe here is another reason for his outburst (or proof of Wang's belief that Microsoft is going into competition with him)-- Acer is not in the list of initial Windows RT OEM partners.
Microsoft lists Dell, Lenovo, Asus and Samsung as the first vendors selling Windows RT devices at launch. It also mentions Nvidia, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments as silicon partners.
Other than Acer, familiar names missing from the partner list include HP and HTC (apparently "shut out" of Windows 8 according to a July 2012 Bloomberg report).
A blog post from Microsoft VP of Ecosystem and Planning Mike Angiulo promises the OEM partners will not only offer tablets, but also PCs with “full keyboard and touchpad solutions, whether removable/dockable or a traditional clamshell.”
So far the only officially announced non-Surface Windows RT device is the Asus Tablet 600-- even if now we can all but assume confirmation of the Win RT Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga rumours.
So, is Microsoft playing fair with its OEM partner? Maybe... but only with some of them. While less vendors will be selling Win RT devices, Angiulo still promises enough choices to “allow every customer to find a PC that fits their needs and lifestyle perfectly.” Although surely Microsoft would prefer they all just buy a Surface or two come October 2012?
