Intel has shed some light on the new venture for superthin notebooks, dubbed Ultrabook. When Intel has detailed the Ultrabook concept and been clear on the guidelines. For example, an Ultrabook will be at most 21mm thick and bring at least 5 hour battery time and immediate startups.
The Ultrabook platform will be introduced in three phases. Intel revealed that the first phase will start with the second generation Ultra-low voltage processors of the Core family. In other words the new 17 watt Sandy Bridge processors that can be found in the new versions of Apple MacBook Air, but as a whole Intel’s Ultrabook plan looks as follows;
- Phase 1: The first Ultrabook systems starts selling at the end of 2011 sporting Intel’s ULV Sandy Bridge processors.
- Phase 2: Intel launches in the first half of 2012 Ultrabooks with Ivy Bridge processors, made with extremely energy efficient 22nm technology and 3D transistors. Ivy Bridge brings better performance, lower energy consumption and new interfaces like USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt.
- Phase 3: In 2013 Intel’s Haswell architecture takes the Ultrabook concept to the peak with dynamic energy consumption and even better performance energy efficiency.
Intel is serious with its Ultrabook platform and what is even more important to us consumers is that it forces partners to follow clear guidelines, which should mean we will be guaranteed a certain level of performance and functionality with the systems sold as “Ultrabooks”. Intel has listed the followed bullet points for the first generationUltrabooks;
- Thin / light constructions
Less than 21 mm thick – some even thinner. - Ultrafast startup
Intel Rapid Start technology makes the system start faster, even from the deepest sleep, which saves time and battery.
The PC wakes almost instantaneously – Quick access to your data and programs - Prolonged battery time
Ultrabooks will offer 5 hour battery times even in the thinnest formfactors, while some systems deliver 8 hours or more for a full days of work. - Security functions
Bios / Firmware prepared to expone hardware functions to Intel Anti-Theft Technology and Intel Identity Protection Technology
Intel points out that it is seriously excited before the launch of the first Ultrabook and we are just as eager to see where this will go. Better performance and functionality in a more convenient format is never wrong.
The only real problem for Intel and its partners seems to be the pricing. As previous rumors have revealed several partners are skeptical to the pricing of the Ultrabook platform.They need prices in the four digits to be able to build Ultrabooks with the hardware Intel requires.
ASUS UX21 looks to become one of the first Ultrabooks, and we will keep an eye on it for a launch date and final price.
