A number of China-based white-box tablet makers have switched their production lines to notebooks and showcased a bunch of entry-level models at the recently concluded Global Sources Mobile Electronics trade fair. The move by the tablet makers is expected to heat up competition in the entry-level notebook segment, according to industry sources.

The reason for these makers to focus on entry-level models is due to technology and patent barriers, the sources noted.

To tackle technology barriers, China-based tablet makers are rolling out notebooks by connecting tablets with external keyboards, while keeping the sizes of notebooks below 12 inches and internal memory at 16GB and 32GB, the sources indicates.

Currently, most tablet makers are using Intel Bay Trail processors for notebook production with prices ranging from US$120-US$150.

The white-box makers are likely to roll out Cherry Trail-based products at year-end 2015 or in early 2016, the sources indicated.