Intel Corp (INTC)

[techno_bull]

If so, what could be the quid pro quo to Intel from Microsoft?

Perhaps a long term deal to outfit Surface 2 with Bay Trail/Cherry Trail and Surface Pro 2 with Haswell/Broadwell and an end to the RT.

This wouldn't surprise me especially given the way the phrase 'Android tablets at $99 price points' was used by both Paul and Brian in the last few earnings calls. To me the phrase had more the feel of a wake-up call (threat) to MS more than an announcement to the analysts during the call. Not sure if others got that impression though. Perhaps Intel's strategy could be to pair leading edge processors with Windows and then 'waterfall' older skus to Android devices in order keep higher ASPs. At least until Android and ChromeOS require leading edge performance (which doesn't sound like the case yet from what others have said).