Intel Ultrabook should be available later this year (2011), in time for the winter holiday shopping season.
Intel says the new device will combine the power of laptops with the features of tablets. The ultrabook is expected to be available for just under $1,000.
The Ultrabook (think: MacBook Air and upcoming refresh):
- Design: Two to three pounds. Really thin. Under 0.8 inches.
- Instant-on: Like a tablet, turns on instantly from standby mode.
- Flash storage: Speedy solid-state drives or magnetic disk with ancillary flash storage.
- Fast chips: No older (slower) Intel chips here. Sandy Bridge now, next-gen Ivy Bridge later.
- Updated ports: Either Thunderbolt or USB 3.0.
- 3G/4G: built-in 3G or 4G connections will likely be offered on many Ultrabooks.
- Battery: relatively long battery life.
- Price: Under $1000 (barely), like the $999 MacBook Air. Prices will come down more next year.