Dec 3, 2010 10:23 GMT  ·  By

With the next-generation mobile platform from Intel on its way, end-users will probably not be too surprised to hear that top notebook vendors are going to soon release slates based on it.

Many things are set to happen during the first quarter of 2011, from price shifts and marketing moves to launches of a whole new slew of devices.

Of course, since CES (Consumer Electronics Show), 2011 will take place at the very start of it, this is to be expected.

End-users will probably know that said expo will be the place where a great many tablets are going to be showcased, either for the first time or as a new demonstrations.

Since Intel has been talking about a new mobile platform, a sort of successor to the Pine Trail, slates based on it should come out soon.

In fact, of the tablets that will be on show at CES, many might actually use the Oak Trail.

A recent report made by Digitimes seems to imply that this is exactly what will happen because top notebook suppliers are all in on the effort.

To be more specific, ASUS, Acer, Dell, Samsung and Toshiba will all release, or at least preview, tablet PCs, if not at CES than at some other time during the first quarter.

ASUS, for one, will also have 12-inch tablet PCs based on, as odd as it may sound, the Core i5 CPU from Intel (convertibles most likely).

The report says these devices will be detailed before the end of December, 2010, and will sell for US$1,000-1,299.

As for the ones at the trade show, they should start shipping in March or even as early as February.

For those in need of a reminder or update, the Oak Trail platform includes the Atom Z670 processors and SM35 chipsets and will reach notebook ODMs in January.