The
chip maker also expects Ultrabooks will reach a starting price of $699 within
several months by the back-to-school period this year, as the company works to
boost retail visibility of the Ultrabook form factor through a new marketing
campaign. Currently Ultrabooks are priced from about $800 upwards.
Intel
announced the Ultrabook concept last May, aiming to create new laptops that are
not only thin and light, but also feature long battery life and quick turn-on
times on par with tablets. To support the development, Intel has invested $300
million in companies that develop new technologies for Ultrabooks.
Since
the announcement, 21 Ultrabook devices have hit the market, but more are on the
way, said Kirk Skaugen, Intel general manager for the PC Client group. Newer
Ultrabooks will come with several new features including touchscreens for
Windows 8 and hybrid designs, he added.
"I
think we can deliver the best of a tablet, and the best in what (users) know in
a notebook," Skaugen told reporters.
Earlier
this year at the Consumer Electronics Show, Lenovo unveiled an Ultrabook device
called the IdeaPad Yoga, which has a touchscreen display that can flip into a
tablet. The device runs Windows 8, which Microsoft will release later this
year.
To
highlight Ultrabooks, Intel has launched a "multi-hundred million
dollar" advertising campaign for the devices, which will lead to new TV
and Internet advertisements, Skaugen said.
As
part of the campaign, Intel will also create "Ultrabook experience
zones" in retail stores, to better set apart the devices from traditional
laptops. "In order to be compliant to that section, you have to meet a
series of tests that Intel is putting in the market place," he said. These
tests require devices to meet set requirements, including how thin the device
is and how fast it accesses data.
"Intel
plans to ensure Ultrabooks have a consistent experience. And if it's too thick
it won't be called an Ultrabook," Skaugen said. "It won't be allowed
to be called an Ultrabook because Ultrabook is a trademark of Intel and we can
protect the trademark."
View orginal artical here-Ultrabook
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