Microsoft, Intel and local PC vendors such as Acer and Asus all are expected to show off tablets with the upcoming Windows 8 OS, as well as thinner and lighter ultrabooks running Intel's latest processor, code-named Ivy Bridge, said Thomas Huang, the manager in charge of organizing Computex.

The Windows 8 products should be especially interesting to watch. This will be the first release of Windows x86 and ARM-based processors. ARM chips are used in most of the world's smartphones and tablets and could help Microsoft compete better against Google's Android software and Apple's iOS, which dominate those categories.

Ultrabooks, meanwhile, are a type of thin and light laptop by Intel and at Computex last year. They're seen as the PC industry's response to the iPad, which is eating into sales of more traditional personal computers.

Both Windows 8 and ultrabooks incorporate design elements intended to make them more mobile. has been optimized for touch and includes a new "Metro" interface that looks more like the current Windows Phone software than a traditional Microsoft desktop OS.

Computex officially opens its doors next Tuesday, but many of the big components and systems vendors are holding press conferences the day before the show. As well as being a launch pad for PCs and tablets it's also a place to see the latest in digital TVs, displays, gaming systems, in-car computers and many other types of electronics.