While Asustek Computer and Acer will no longer launch netbooks in 2013, Intel will still maintain its Cedar Trail M platform primarily for use in its Classmate PCs, according to sources with Taiwan-based notebook supply chain makers.

Intel's Cedar Trail M platform will still be available at least until the first quarter of 2014 and Microsoft will continue to supply Windows 7 Starter for use in related netbook products, the sources said citing Intel's latest roadmap.

Currently, Asustek's and Acer's 10-inch Atom N2600-based netbooks are selling for US$259 in Southeast Asia and Europe.

The sources believe that Intel and Microsoft are keeping their Wintel netbook platform in order to defend their market from being undermined by Chromebook. Although Intel is also one of the suppliers for the Chromebook, Intel feels threatend by ARM's aggressive move to enter the notebook market through the Chromebook, the sources commented.