Intel has revealed the reference spec for its new ‘Ultrabook’ systems in an attempt to allay OEM fears that these will be high-priced niche devices.
A reference spec for two devices has been unveiled:
- An 18mm thick device with a screen size between 11-13-inches with a reference BOM (bill of materials) of between $475 - $650
- A 21mm thick device with a 14-17-inch screen with a reference BOM (bill of materials) of between $493 - $710
This price point is interesting since it would mean that the cheaper ‘ultrabooks’ would retail for less than the $1,000 MacBook Air mark.
‘Ultrabooks’ are to fill in the gap between tablets and notebooks - something the size and weight of a tablet, but the performance of a notebook.
According to the current rumors, these systems will make use of module-based components as opposed to soldering components directly onto the motherboard (to increase flexibility and reduce cost) and will feature aluminum-based unibody chassis or fiberglass chassis.
Does this design sound a bit like Apple’s MacBook Air? It does to me, and Asus’s prototype UX21 also looks a lot like the MacBook Air;
One question remains - is there a market for ‘ultrabooks’? Netbooks sales have taken a big dive over the past year or so, and Apple has been selling millions of iPads
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