Intel Corp, the world’s top chipmaker, is touting a new breed of thin laptops called “ultrabooks” which it expects to account for 40 percent of the consumer laptop market by the end of next year, company executive vice president Sean Maloney said in Taipei yesterday.
Maloney, who recently assumed the chairmanship of Intel China, made the comments during the first day of Computex, Asia’s largest technology trade show.
“Computing is taking many forms,” Maloney said. “Technology innovation is a catalyst and we believe the changes Intel is making to its roadmap, together with strong industry collaboration, will bring about an exciting change in personal computing over the next few years.”
Photo: PATRICK LIN AFP
Intel’s vision is to enable a new user experience by accelerating a new class of mobile computers — the “ultrabook” — that will combine the performance and capabilities of laptops with tablet-like features in a thin and light design, Maloney said.
Amid predictions that the growth of notebook PCs is under threat because of competition from tablet PCs, led by Apple Inc’s iPad, Maloney said: “There is healthy room for PC growth, but affordability is key to PC penetration.”
“Now is the time to reinvent the PC platform again,” he added.
Intel’s strategy to accelerate this ultrabook vision begins with its latest generation of core processors that can support thin and light systems less than 0.8 inch (20mm) thick and are priced at less than US$1,000.
Maloney said systems based on these chips would be available for this winter’s holiday shopping season.
Jonney Shih (施崇棠), chairman of Asustek Computer Inc (華碩電腦), the world’s No. 6 PC brand, yesterday joined Maloney on stage to showcase the company’s new ultrathin laptops based on Intel’s latest-generation core processor.
“At Asus, we are very much aligned with Intel’s vision for the ultrabook,” Shih said. “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.”
Maloney also highlighted key milestones and details on the upcoming generation of Intel Atom processor-based platforms for tablets, netbooks and smartphones.
Technology advances will reduce transistor leakage and an increase in transistor density will enable more powerful smartphones, tablets and netbooks with more features and longer battery life, he said.
In addition, Intel’s first purpose-built 32-nanometer platform for smartphones and tablets, “Medfield,” has been optimized for both low power and high performance that will deliver longer use-time and advanced imaging capabilities, Maloney said.
The platform will enable the launch of tablet models that weigh less than 1.5 pounds (0.68kg) in the first half of next year and support a range of operating systems, including Android and MeeGo, he said.
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