Microsoft might not have an official Windows 8 release date yet, but Bloomberg believes the operating system will be finished this summer before going on sale "around October."

According to Bloomberg sources the initial Windows 8 rollout will include machines running on both Intel and ARM processors-- "fewer than 5" ARM devices (including 3 tablets) and 40 flavours of Intel-powered machine.

Gartner analyst Michael Gartenberg says "“if they [Microsoft] miss the September-October time frame, they’re going to be stuck without being able to ship anything in 2012.”

The release timing Bloomberg suggests does make sense-- Microsoft will want to have a new product out in time for the holiday season, especially if it wants to sell Windows 8 as an iOS rival. HP, Lenovo and Dell are already planning Windows 8 tablets, while rumours insist Nokia is making an ARM-powered Windows 8 tablet.

Go Microsoft Said to Finish Windows 8 in Summer, Debut October (Bloomberg)