Microsoft initially only licensing five hardware manufacturers to build Windows RT tablets alongside Microsoft Surface

Microsoft is initially only licensing five hardware vendors to build Windows RT tablets alongside the consumer version of the Microsoft Surface, according to reports.

In reports from the China Times republished by Unwired View, Microsoft will allow the three main ARM chip makers – NVidia, Texas Instruments and Qualcomm – permission to partner with no more than two hardware vendors each in order to build a first generation Windows RT tablet.

NVidia will reportedly supply chips for Lenovo and Asus, Texas Instruments will partner with Toshiba, and Qualcomm initially opted to partner with Samsung and HP.

However, given HP doesn’t appear interested in manufacturing Windows RT tablets, Qualcomm is said to be in negotiations with Dell as a substitute.