CES 2012: Intel leads Ultrabook charge

Intel is leading the industry with its 3rd generation Intel Core processors to re-invent the personal computing experience with the new category of Ultrabook devices. The Ultrabook format was set a few years ago by Apple’s Macbook Air, but Windows based devices will start hitting the market in the next four months.

Shaped by extensive user research, Ultrabook devices will increasingly give people the most complete and satisfying, no-compromise and secure computing experience in one sleek and portable device.

Although the format has been around for several years courtesy of Apple’s MacBook Air, the Windows equivalent and the formal Ultrabook category only began hitting store shelves 4 months ago.

Ultrabook devices have already seen strong momentum with more than 15 models available from such companies as Acer, ASUS, HP, Lenovo, LG, Samsung and Toshiba. More than 60 Ultrabook designs – and growing – are in the pipeline for 2012.

The second wave of Ultrabook systems based on the forthcoming 3rd generation Intel Core processors (codenamed ‚Ivy Bridge‚ ) will begin to arrive in the spring. They are followed by the 2013 introduction of Intel’s ‚Haswell‚ processor, expected to achieve up to a 20 times improvement in idle platform power and usher in the third wave of Ultrabook devices.

Ultrabook devices at CES

At this year’s CES, multiple companies are showcasing Ultrabook devices and the following offers a glimpse of where to see, hold, touch and experience some of them. Aside from Samsung, which unveiled the second generation of its Series 9 laptop, these manufacturers all unveiled Ultrabooks:

Acer

Introducing the Acer S3 Ultrabook, the PC that will have you instantly powered on and connected to the Web in no time — and at an affordable price.

ASUS

The ASUS ZENBOOK achieves a unique combination of artistic craftsmanship and advanced technology.

HP

HP’s first business Ultrabook, the Folio13, is designed to bridge the gap between professional and personal life. Featuring a thin and light design, strong security options and a responsive solid-state hard drive, the Folio13 delivers up to 9 hours of battery life and offers a wide array of ports, including Ethernet.

Lenovo

Lenovo’s IdeaPad U300s and Lenovo T430u are stylish Ultrabook devices, which combine smart technologies with long battery life and 2nd Generation Intel Core processors.

LG

The LG Z330 and Z430 offer portability in beautiful designs with a cold boot time of 9.9 seconds.

Toshiba

The Toshiba Prot√©g√© Z830 Series Ultrabook matches style, supreme portability and enhanced functionality at affordable prices. Weighing less than 2.5 pounds and featuring a 0.63-inch profile, the Prot√©g√© Z830 Series is approximately 20 percent lighter and 40 percent thinner than the ultraportable Prot√©g√© R830 Series. These Ultrabooks support the latest 2nd Generation Intel Core processors and ultra-fast DDR3 memory, providing high performance and improved power management for great battery life. The Ultrabook devices’ 128GB solid-state drive delivers an extremely responsive experience, increased durability and increased energy efficiency. Paired with Toshiba’s new exclusive Hi-Speed Start Technology, the Prot√©g√© Z830 Ultrabooks can power on and get users up and running in seconds.

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