Intel’s CEO Paul Otellini, at the earnings conference for its best quarter ever, patted Apple’s iPad on the pack, but said that Intel ultimately intends to relegate every other contender in the tablets category to the bin.

Intel is on a high after reporting record earnings of $11.1 billion, a spike of over 50%, of which the profit alone accounts for $3.0 billion. In the iPad segment, it looks like Intel has thrown down the gauntlet and the stage is set for an epic war, which will see users spoilt for choice.

Intel chief Paul Otellini condescendingly praised Apple for its innovations with the iPad, and was bullish about Intel leading the charge sometime from now. Earlier Intel had considered the iPad category as an “additive” to its staggering PC market, but they look set for an aggressive foray now.

Investors were earlier queasy about Intel not making a pitch for its tablet standings, so Paul Otellini’s strongly worded statement is being seen as a corrective.

Otellini did not rest on his laurels, rather his billion dollar pile, but got down to the business end of the matter soon. The CEO said that all assets at Intel’s disposal would be used as firepower not just to counter Apple’s iPad, but to emerge leaders in the segment. The tablet products to be launched soon will be based on Windows, Meego and Android, and are sure to add lustre to their microprocessor revenue. Let’s see how big a chunk they bite off Apple.
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