Microsoft has begun the process of selecting its Integrated Development Program (IDP) partners specifically for cooperation to develop hardware based on 2013 versions of Windows from PC vendors, and Asustek Computer, an IDP partner for Windows on ARM in 2012, stands a very high chance of being selected again, while Acer has been actively competing and is likely to be selected, according to Taiwan-based supply chain makers.

In addition to first-tier notebook brands, handset players Nokia and High Tech Computer (HTC) are also said to have been trying aggressively to enter the program.

In 2011, Microsoft used the same program to build cooperation with PC vendors for Windows 8-based product development, while choosing chipmakers Nvidia, Texas Instruments (TI) and Qualcomm for its Windows on ARM (WoA) project and had each chipmaker pick two notebook brands for product development.

Microsoft and the related PC brand vendors have all declined to comment about the project for 2013.

Reportedly 10 brand vendors are looking to participate in the project, with each vendor needing to raise its product designs using WoA. For the new project, Microsoft will allow display sizes larger than 7-inch, but the vendors will need to evaluate demand and avoid similar specifications as Microsoft's Surface.

Microsoft is expected to announce the first batch of 2013 IDP partners during CES in early 2013 with new Windows-based products to be ready by October 2013.

Microsoft will directly pick its cooperation partners without involving upstream chipmakers or ODMs.