Mystery still surrounds Windows 8, report says

Despite the hype surrounding Microsoft's upcoming Windows® 8 operating system, many of the details are still up in the air -- particularly when it comes to tablet computers.

Technology news provider PCWorld points out that, surprisingly, Windows 8 was not as prevalent at the Consumer Electronics Show as many had expected. A handful of Windows-based tablets, convertible notebooks and other gadgets were on display at the trade show, but many questions were left unanswered.

One question that remains is how Windows 8 will function with different processors. Microsoft® has said that the operating system will be available on devices running Intel® chips as well as those based on the ARM architecture, but how the platforms will affect the Windows 8 design -- and vice versa -- is still a mystery.

Other questions surround the operating system's availability and how it will differ when run on tablets, desktops and laptops. Perhaps the big question is how Windows 8 will affect Microsoft's standing in the heated tablet market. So far, the software giant has been unable to make a dent in the burgeoning industry, and though there is significant buzz for Windows 8, some speculate that the company may have waited too long to get into the game.