With the official launch of Windows 8 just around the corner and conveniently ahead of the holiday shopping season, AT&T is looking to capitalize on both events by offering two exclusive Windows 8-based tablets - the ASUS VivoTab RT and the Samsung ATIV hybrid.

The carrier's selections cover both major Windows versions. The ASUS VivoTab RT is, as the name suggests, based on Windows RT, while the Samsung ATIV Smart PC will run on Windows 8 Pro. Both devices will offer mobile connectivity via AT&T's 4G LTE network.

The AUSS VivoTab RT comes as the first Windows RT tablet with 4G LTE connectivity. It sports a 10.1-inch Super IPS display packed with ASUS TruVivid technology, and is packed by an Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor. The tablet also packs 32GB of built-in storage, and comes with Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT Preview Edition preinstalled.

Meanwhile, the Samsung ATIV Smart PC comes with a keyboard dock for increased productivity, an 11.6-inch HD PLS display, and packs a 1.5GHz dual-core Intel Clover Trail processor. It also features 64GB of internal storage, and comes with Windows 8 Pro and a Microsoft Office 2013 trial.

"AT&T is a leader in connected devices, and we are thrilled the Windows 8 tablets will be available on the nation's largest 4G network," said Chris Penrose, Senior Vice President at AT&T Emerging Devices. "With Windows 8, both tablets give customers an optimized touch interface, instant live tile updates and PC capabilities. For as low as $10 per month, customers can connect their Windows 7 4G LTE tablets with AT&T's new Mobile Share plans."

AT&T did not announce pricing yet, nor the exact date when the two Windows 8-based slated will be available other than "in time for the holidays." It also remains unclear for now how AT&T will subsidize these tablets. The carrier's subsidies on Windows-based products, however, have historically been considerable.

Meanwhile, choosing the right tablet might be confusing for many, as consumers don't know yet which version of Windows 8 would best suit their needs. With AT&T's offerings, customers can opt for a tablet that is able to run Windows 8 applications and comes with a keyboard dock, or an RT tablet that can only run RT-based applications, and does not include a keyboard dock.