<p>Acer Acer and Asustek Computer Asustek Computer, Taiwanese PC giants that were among the first to release netbooks and ultrabooks, are expected to come out early with tablet-like tools using Microsoft Microsoft's answer to criticism of its Windows 8 operating system, a gambit to capture consumers before powerful competitors move in.</p><p>Steven Sinofsky, President of the Windows and Windows Live Division at Microsoft spekas during a press conference at Pier 57 to officially launch Windows 8 in New York October 25, 2012. (Image credit: AFP/Getty Images via @daylife)</p><p>Nothing is official, but analysts and specialist technology media tip the two developers to add Windows 8.1 to tablets that were displayed at an Intel Intel developer forum last week.</p><p>Acer would release an Iconia series tablet, and its cross-town rival displayed a Transformer Book T100 notebook replacement at the developer forum. Both devices are expected to use 8.1, though neither developer confirms or denies the predictions.</p><p><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/ralphjennings/2013/10/03/acer-asus-picked-to-pioneer-windows-8-1-devices/">Keep reading...</a></p>