Ultrabooks are coming

Just when you thought you had the mobile computer market figured out, another category is about to appear. Laptops, netbooks, and tablets will soon be joined by the newest type of mobile computer: ultrabooks.

Intel trademarked the term “ultrabook”, is setting guidelines and optimizing its processors for the devices. Initially, Sandy Bridge processors will be used, but faster, more efficient processors will appear when the new Ivy Bridge architecture is ready later this year.

First and foremost, ultrabooks will thin and light laptops with quick resume from standby. Unlike netbooks, ultrabooks will include powerful processors such as i7 dual-core models, and be capable of running the latest Windows operating system and Windows applications. This could make them true lightweight alternatives to a desktop replacement laptop, as opposed to netbooks which come with many power and application compromises.

Key to long-term market success, according to Intel, is that ultrabooks will be affordable. They are planned to initially sell for less than $1000, with prices dropping quickly as volume increases.

“We’re lowering the price,” says Intel executive vice president Sean Maloney, “not so much immediately, but over time.” Part of the ultrabook concept is getting really thin, really responsive systems down into the mainstream, he says. When they cost $1,000 or more, they’re relegated to 10% of the notebook market.

“If we do it right, the PC Ultrabook will be 40% of the notebook market in about 18 months,” says Maloney. “We did this before in 2008 and we screwed it up: we didn’t cut the price. Now, we’ll cut the price, thanks to volume and scale.”

Ultrabooks will combine the performance of a laptop with “tablet-like features” in a “thin, light and elegant design,” says Maloney.

The first announced is the Asus UX21 Ultrabook. Expected to be available in September, it is 17mm (0.67 inches) at its thickest point and uses a Core i7 processor. Rumoured possibly to beat that launch date are ultrabooks from HP, but HP has yet to confirm that.

I had thought that tablets would eat significantly into the netbook market. Ultrabooks, if they turn out to be as good as they sound, could revitalize the lightweight portable computer market and offer a strong alternative to tablets. People who want portable e-readers, music players and other such apps may choose tablets. Those of us wanting more of a portable desktop alternative, with a proper keyboard and able to run all normal Windows apps, may prefer an ultrabook.