The Rise of Ultrabooks: Top Technology Initiatives

c)      Lenovo IdeaPad u300s
CPU:2nd generation Intel® Core™ i3, i5, i7 processor
Screen Size:13.3”, 1366 x 768
Weight:2.9 lbs.
Responsiveness:S4®KBD (< 7 seconds)
Graphics:Intel HD Graphics 3000
Battery Life:Up to 8 hours
Operating System:Windows® 7

d)     Toshiba Portege Z830 – the world’s lightest ultrabook as of this writing
CPU:2nd generation Intel® Core™ i3, i5, i7 processor
Screen Size:13.3”, 1366 x 768
Weight: 2.45 lbs.
Responsiveness:S4®KBD (< 7 seconds)
Graphics:Intel HD Graphics 3000
Battery Life:Up to 8 hours
Operating System:Windows® 7

2)      Ultrabooks – Good designs to consider introduced at CES

a)      Sony Vaio Z series –8 Gb ram. DVD multi monitors. High graphics in separate but included box. Can have dual ssd drives 64 128 or 256 for max disk of 500gb. Includes true lightpeak, not thunderbolt . Weighs less than the Mac Air at about same price at high end.
b)      Samsung Series 9 - 13.3 inch Ultralight, USB 3.0, SD, Micro HDMI, 128SSD, $1300
c)      Lenovo YOGA, folds over and doubles as a tablet
d)      HP Envy 14 SPECTRE - Gorilla glass 2.0 - $1400

With this background, consider the following computer classifications:

1)      Ultrabook
2)      Netbook
3)      Tablet
4)      Notebook

Note that the Ultrabook can do most things that a notebook can do. It operates at a similar speed because of the SSD and processors used, has only a slightly smaller screen, and can do pretty much do everything a notebook can do. As a firm strategy, consider how long notebooks will make sense to purchase, particularly if an Ultrabook is used in conjunction with some of the new portable monitors such as the Samsung LD220G, Toshiba Mobile Monitor and the MMT Field Monitor Pro or Monitor2Go.

Some Ultrabook models have been demonstrated that have touch screens that can fold over to become a tablet. Consider the size and weight of a tablet plus a mechanical keyboard when compared to an Ultrabook. Tablets will have approximately the same weight, operate much slower and not have nearly as much flexibility as an Ultrabook. In today’s market, they will have similar price. It is safe to say, in my eyes, netbooks should be counting down their days soon. The only life lines for netbooks are their price point. If you want the best performing netbook, it will still cost you $400-500, although I’m enjoying my $300 Google Chromebook immensely. To users considering netbooks I would say: save up the extra money and buy the cheapest Ultrabook. Ultrabook computer prices will have to come down once other companies start entering the market and that will happen sooner than you think.