Microsoft is expected to introduce a new Surface tablet on May 20. Although it managed to keep a lid on leaks and kept us guessing for months, it now appears that the Surface Mini will be powered by a Qualcomm SoC. This means Nvidia is out of at least one Surface tablet. Microsoft’s first and second generation Surface tablets based on ARM chips were powered by Nvidia silicon. The Mini is Qualcomm’s for the taking, although this is still not official.

Thanks to CNET we now know a bit more about Redmond’s x86 tablet plans. Many were hoping for a Bay Trail powered Surface Mini, with x86 Windows. This appears to be off the table, as the Mini will end up with an ARM chip and Windows RT 8.1.