Ultrabooks – A New Departure In Laptop Technology for the young generation

The concept of an Ultrabook comes originally from Intel and is having an invigorating effect on the portable computing market. With increased battery performance, as well as improved memory capacity and graphics cards, these sleek new devices offer great portability and performance that can out-do a tablet computer.The Macbook Air led the charge, but with a large amount of funding and a big marketing drive Intel is trying to get in on the act with their Ultrabooks. The company claims the new machines will have up to eight hours of battery life and can start up in the blink of an eye. Intel is hoping that by the end of next year, no less than 40 per cent of all laptops sold will be Ultrabooks.

New high-spec processing systems, Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge and Haswell, are the power behind these new machines and are being rolled out in2012. Asus, Acer, LG and Toshiba are all already producing slim devices powered by Sandy Bridge. Prices are still high but it would seem the demand is there. With a number of sites offering free laptop deals, the savvy consumer could get ahead of the curve with these new models.

A raft of further Ultrabooks will hit the market in 2012, which will hopefully drive the prices down as most current models are still unaffordable for many consumers. A drop in price would mean a number of serious competitors for the lightweight and ultra-portable Macbook Air.

The official description of an Ultrabook is that it is less than 20mm thick, has no optical drive, uses a solid-state drive (SSD) for all storage, has aCore i5 or i7 processor, weighs less than 1.4 kg and yields 5 – 8+ hours of battery life.

Intel’s Ultrabook provides a series of attractive features. For example, Rapid Start Technology will allow you to power-up your computer within seconds. Another nice feature is a neat storage device for your most frequently used files and applications. Intel’s Smart Response technology also makes it easier to keep track of your favourites.

Communication and networking just got a whole lot easier as well. Smart Connect Technology on an Ultrabook will continually up-date your favourite apps, social networks and email.

The rapid growth of the Ultrabook does, however, sound the death knell for the netbook. These small computers have been feeling the pressure from tablets and Dell, for one, has already withdrawn from the netbook market. Ultrabooks do not sacrifice power for cost effectiveness, nor do they cut corners in the same way netbook designs did. This new breed of computer provides a full-spec laptop crammed into an incredibly portable design.

Ultrabooks are essentially the result of a natural evolution in laptop technology and the demand that consumers have for the best of both worlds: ultimate portability without a sacrifice in performance. A greater number of free laptop deals will now focus on these ultra-lightweight, slim models. Experts are predicting that the Ultrabook, which does not have to make the same compromises as the netbook, will have more staying power as itsnew design will ensure its longevity.