Telecom Lead India: Paul Otellini, CEO of Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, is excited about the range of Intel-based tablets coming to market this year.

Before the end of this year, over 20 Atom-based tablets will be released by six or more OEMs.

The smartphone and tablet manufacturers that Intel sells to tend to have more competition and lower volumes than those in the PC market, which is about 350 million units a year.

There will be more than 140 Intel Core processor–based Ultrabooks and more than 40 of them will have touch, including more than a dozen convertibles. Many of those Ultrabooks will be available at $699 price, he told analysts and reporters during a conference call after Intel announced its third-quarter financial results on Tuesday.

According to earlier media reports, Intel has deals in place that will see as many as 20 Windows 8 tablets hit the market equipped with processors from its Clover Trail line. These will go head-to-head with chips designed by U.K.-based ARM in the battle for the tablet silicon market.

Despite an exciting fourth quarter, Intel projected its revenue would be $13.6 billion in Q4, plus or minus $500 million, and that its gross profit margins would shrink. During the fourth quarter, R&D plus MG&A spending will be approximately $4.5 billion.

In third quarter, Intel has reported 5 percent dip in revenue to $13.5 billion from $14.2 billion a year earlier.

The Santa Clara-based, Calif., company’s net income in the third quarter decreased 14.3 percent to $3 billion from $3.5 billion.

Intel’s third-quarter results reflected a continuing tough economic environment.

Last week IDC said that global PC market contracted 8.6 percent in the third quarter.

Intel’s PC Client Group revenue of $8.6 billion was down 8 percent.

Intel said its Data Center Group revenue increased 6 percent to $2.7 billion.

 

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