Intel has unveiled a new category of super-thin and lightweight
laptops, called
Ultrabooks, which combine the best of laptops and
tablet PCs .
The portable
computers, the first of which was shown off at the Computex trade show, are less than 0.8 inches thick, feature "thin, light, beautiful designs", and boast faster responses and boot times.
They will be powered initially by
Sandy Bridge processors and then by Ivy Bridge chips in the early part of next year.
Intel’s executive vice president Sean Maloney boldly predicted that the Ultrabooks will account for 40 per cent of the global consumer
laptop market by the end of 2012.
"Computing is taking many forms," Maloney said. "Technology innovation is a catalyst, and we believe the changes
Intel is making to its roadmaps, together with strong industry collaboration, will bring about an exciting change in personal computing over the next few years."
Intel has partnered
Asus for the first machine in its
Ultrabook range. The UX21 Asus Ultrabook runs the latest 2nd generation Intel Core processor (Sandy Bridge) and looks similar to Apple’s
MacBook Air range.
Asus chairman Jonney Shih said: "At ASUS, we are very much aligned with Intel’s vision of Ultrabook. Our customers are demanding an uncompromised computing experience in a lightweight, highly portable design that responds to their needs quickly."
"Transforming the
PC into an ultra thin, ultra responsive device will change the way people interact with their PC ."