Ultrabooks Gain Ground Against the MacBook Air

     Brooke Crothers, editor at CNET News, has reported that sales of the expensive ultrabooks are on the rise at retailers. This is a sign that Apple's popular MacBook line may finally be facing competition as the company has held a monopoly in the high-end laptop market since they launched the MacBook back in May 2006. Intel took steps to enter the market when they announced a fund to support the development of new technologies in line with the company's concept for next generation notebooks. It's been a year since Intel committed $300 million to the fund; which was projected to last for three to four years in related ultrabook developments. Let's take a look at what Intel has accomplished with the introduction of the ultrabook and discuss what's next for the high-end laptops.

     In order for a laptop to be described as an ultrabook it must be less than 2.1 cm thick and weigh no more than 3.3 lbs; the dimensions also can't compromise the performance or battery life of the computer. Ultrabooks use low-power Intel chips with integrated graphics and a unibody chassis to fit larger batteries into smaller cases. Due to the thinness of the ultrabook some may not possess traditional inputs such as USB or an Ethernet port.

     The price for an ultrabook will vary depending on the model and manufacturer but can range anywhere from $799 to $1500, with the majority of models being over $1000. This is a point of contention for Intel as they were hoping the price of the ultrabooks would be more competitive. According to two presidents from Acer and Compal, this goal won't be achieved as long as Intel's chips cost as much as they do. However an article on laptopmag.com claims that the price of ultrabooks is expected to drop by the back to school season in the fall.     

The Asus Zenbook UX21 measures 7 millimeters thick at its widest point and 3 millimeters at its thinnest. This ultrabook's base configuration will retail at $999 when released. 

     

     The ultrabook is designed to change the way that consumers use their laptops by being portable while retaining the speed and power of a larger computer. An article on the Microsoft website claims that the new laptops have startup times as low as three seconds and have an impressive amount of power for either gaming or working. The ultrabooks are also described as being a pleasure to use and can easily be carried anywhere. Other tech writers have echoed this claim in numerous reviews which look at a variety of different models. The emergence of these premium PCs has been a long time coming for consumers looking for an alternative to the mainly out-dated machines that have been offered until now.

     It's important to do research when considering any purchase, a point that is especially true when it comes to buying a new computer because of the speed with which technology becomes out of date. To get an idea of what to look for when shopping around for an ultrabook click here. This guide expresses the importance of reviewing touchpads, design elements, resolution, and battery life when deciding on a computer. By understanding the modifications coming to ultrabooks, it's possible to prevent purchasing a computer before a big release; such as those currently being developed by ultrabook manufacturers.

An ultrabook running Windows 8, Microsoft's upcoming software release which will take advantage of touchscreen technology through its Metro start menu.

                                            

     Some of the modifications that ultrabooks will see include touchscreens, voice recognition, longer battery life and lower prices. Microsoft is deeply invested in ultrabooks adapting touchscreens in order to promote its upcoming release of Windows 8; software that takes full advantage of a tablet-like interface in its Metro start menu. According to an article by Agam Shah (IDG News), Intel is hoping that the addition of these new features will help aid the slumping PC market, which is being devastated by tablet sales. The article quotes Mooly Eden, general manager of the PC client group at Intel, who says that future ultrabooks will also come in hybrid designs with screens that can be flipped down so that the device mimics a tablet. 

     Intel is looking to bring real options to consumers who are interested in an alternative to the MacBook Air with the continued development of ultrabooks. Apple has taken notice of the intrusion and taken steps to ensure that their design is not copied. The company's usual tact of obtaining U.S. patents to combat ultrabook manufacturers has begun in their most recent acquisition (details here). However Apple chooses to address their competition, choice has never been better for those looking to upgrade to a new laptop with more power and speed. Intel has committed to improving ultrabooks and is sure to attract consumers looking to have the portability of a tablet with the power of a laptop. There's never been a better time to shop for a new computer; just be sure to do your research before taking the plunge.