This year’s Computex trade show isn’t all about tablets, as Intel proved overnight with an update on its processor plans for the future. They include Ivy Bridge, a next-generation architecture that will power a new class of “no compromise” laptops that look strangely familiar to Apple MacBook Air fans.
AppleInsider is reporting that Intel has revealed new design guidelines for what they’re dubbing “Ultrabooks,” a new category of laptops with “tablet-like features” in a “thin, light and elegant design.” If that sounds familiar, it’s because Apple already makes a product almost fitting that description called the MacBook Air.
According to Engadget, who first broke the story overnight, Intel is aiming to reach a 40 percent share of the consumer laptop market with their new Ultrabooks by the end of 2012. At a form factor less than 20mm thick and a price under $1,000, Intel certainly sounds like they’re gunning for their own partner, Apple.
The first Ultrabooks out the door will come packing the latest Sandy Bridge architecture, but in the first half of 2012, Intel will transition the diminutive laptops to its next-generation “Ivy Bridge” processors, which Executive Vice President Sean Maloney promises will be “no compromise.”
Among the first companies to roll out Ultrabooks for the 2011 holiday shopping season will be ASUS, with their UX21 Ultrabook.
"At ASUS, we are very much aligned with Intel's vision of Ultrabook," announced chairman Johnny Shih at Computex, where the company has announced a plethora of forthcoming products. "Our customers are demanding an uncompromised computing experience in a lightweight, highly portable design that responds to their needs quickly. Transforming the PC into an ultra thin, ultra responsive device will change the way people interact with their PC."
Color us skeptical -- are consumers really looking for a better netbook style solution when the tablet market has yet to mature? Perhaps Apple is onto something with its wildly popular MacBook Air, but time will tell if that success can be copied by others.
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kmikl
April 05, 2012 at 11:24am
Apple tried that with IBM, and look at what happened. When they were losing money building PowerPC processors, IBM folded up that part of their business because Apple was the only buyer. BTW: the move to Intel wasn't a 'bold and decisive move' it was either go with them, or with AMD... there were no other options that would make sense for a consumer-product, in essence, they had to leap for their lives.
Intel's supply agreement would likely contain a non-exclusivity clause. As such: Thunderbolt was developed by Intel (but Apple uses the trademark because "light peak" isn't sexy enough, I suppose), so I suspect it will get a wider audience, which isn't a bad thing. The thing that will really allow it to explode in popularity would be an IEEE standard designation.
Engelsstaub
June 01, 2011 at 2:28am
@ mac_daddy below: I don't think Apple would expect Intel to not provide CPUs for its competition.
Intel is the biggest manufacturer of CPUs and its assets probably far exceed that of any one computer manufacturer. I think it would be expected (by Apple) that they continue in their long-standing business model, even if that means PC manufacturers getting Thunderbolt ports as well.
mac_daddy
May 31, 2011 at 7:40am
If there's any way to stay partners with a huge and successful company like Apple, it's definitely partnering up with the competition. Depending on how Apple's own silicon manufacturing goes, they might not need Intel for too much longer. Way to go, Intel.
