First wave of ‘ultrabooks’ expected soon

The first set of ultra-low voltage, ultra-thin notebooks based on the very latest Intel Core i7 series

processors are due to hit the market any time now and Computer 2000 will be the first to offer you stock from all the leading vendors. We’re expecting announcements from Acer, Asus, HP, Samsung, Toshiba and other top names imminently and these thinner and lighter mobiles are expected to be hot-sellers in the run-in to the year-end.

It’s predicted that so-called ‘Ultrabooks’ could command 40 percent of the consumer laptops market by the end of 2012. The aim is to provide ultra-portability without a down-shift in performance. By Intel’s own definition, anything that is less than 21mm thick can be defined as an ultra-book, most models will offer in excess of five hours battery life and come with Intel Rapid Start technology to give users an instant-on experience. They will also come with good security and anti-theft features – ideally twofactor, hardware-based authentication Crucially, an RRP of under $1,000 (£650) has been set for this new generation, so that they will be within the reach of most buyers.

While this first generation of ultras will be based on the Intel Sandy Bridge micro-architecture, more models based on the next-generation Ivy Bridge can be expected in the first half of next year, which should accelerate uptake. For more information and the first news on the new Ultrabook models, please keep in touch with the PC Systems team and keep an eye out for announcements on the website and our regular e-shots.