Intel Claims Ultrabooks Will Transform Personal Computing
Intel is hoping to re-invent personal computing with the introduction of its Ultrabook subnotebook machines that it maintains will deliver the most complete and satisfying computing experiences.
At the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) in San Francisco this week, Mooly Eden, vice president and general manager of Intel’s PC Client Group, observed that the personal computing experience is undergoing another fundamental transformation with his company’s creation of Ultrabook, claimed to be a new category of mobile devices. Apple fans will take issue with that claim, given that the new-generation MacBook Air has been covering pretty much the same market territory as Intel’s Ultrabooks for nearly a year now, but the proven success of the Air probably bodes well for the Ultrabooks, provided costs can be kept down.
To define the Ultrabook category, Intel says it began by vetting out what people want most out of their personal computing devices, both from an emotional and a rational perspective. Ultrabooks are designed to give users the traditional power to create and produce of a full desktop operating system repackaged in a sleek, light, secure and elegant device that offers an immersive and responsive experience without compromising performance, and delivered at mainstream price points.
“Not since the introduction of Intel Centrino technology more than eight years ago have we witnessed such a fundamental transformation of personal computing,” said Eden. “Today’s devices powered by our second-generation Intel Core processors are giving people a personal computing experience that they’ve never had before and we won’t stop there. We know people desire and demand more from their computers – to create, consume and share – which is why we have challenged ourselves and the industry to make Ultrabook the most adaptable, complete and satisfying device.”
Again, the MacBook Air occupies pretty much the space Eden describes, and also uses second-generation (Sandy Bridge) Intel processors.
The first Ultrabook devices, some of which have already been announced, are scheduled to become available during this year’s holiday shopping season, are based on Sandy Bridge Intel Core processors, will come in range of form factors from various manufacturers, and will wake up almost instantly from sleep using Intel Rapid Start technology.
The Sandy Bridge Intel Core processor family introduced earlier this year delivers an enhanced visual computing experience as a result of improved performance and better integrated processor graphics. Eden said that to-date, Intel has shipped 75 million second-generation Intel Core processors, making it the fastest-shipping processor in the company’s history. It also underscores continued strong demand for personal computing worldwide, with approximately 1 million computers being sold each day, led by growth in emerging markets.
Mr. Eden shared the stage with Microsoft, which is showing off its forthcoming Windows 8 operating system preview working and running several applications on Intel-based Ultrabook devices. They highlighted the broad collaboration between the two companies and pointed to the future opportunities that Windows 8 will present across multiple compute devices such as tablets, hybrids and new laptop form factors like Ultrabook.
Eden also turned the spotlight on Thunderbolt, Intel’s new, high-speed, dual-protocol I/O technology that was initially rolled out by Apple with its upgraded MacBook Pro line last February, and added to the MacBook Air with its latest update in July. Thunderbolt provides data transfer rates between host devices and external devices of up to 10Gbps via a single single, thin cable connection. At IDF Eden gave attendees an early look at a prototype with Thunderbolt technology running the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system.
Powering the Next Wave of Ultrabook Devices in 2012
Eden also gave the IDF audience a preview of the processor that will power 2012 Ultrabook devices — the third-generation Intel Core processor (codenamed “Ivy Bridge”). Expected to be available in systems in the first half of 2012, Ivy Bridge silicon will deliver greater performance and energy efficiency. Intel has also redesigned the processor graphics to provide better performance and energy efficiency.
Eden previewed six pre-production Ultrabook designs based on third generation Intel Core processors and said he expects a large selection of devices to be available worldwide in 2012.
Security features built into Ultrabook devices include processor-based Intel Identity Protection technology and Intel Anti-Theft. Building on the capabilities offered today, next-generation Ultrabooks, notebooks and desktop computers can benefit from the collaborative effort between Intel and McAfee to jointly develop a McAfee anti-theft service for Ultrabooks. Available in 2012, the McAfee solution will be the first to take advantage of unique, Intel chip-level technologies and will provide device and data protection for consumers such as device lock, data wipe and location tracking.
Challenging the entire personal computing industry to work together to deliver the thinnest, lightest and most complete computing devices, Eden touched on various component technologies including panels, keyboards, battery technology and chassis that require further innovation to meet the Ultrabook vision. At the innovation forefront, Intel demonstrated a new laptop power savings technology that limits screen refreshes when the Ultrabook screen is static, thereby saving energy. LG Display, a leading panel vendor, will be one of the first to bring a power-optimized panel self-refresh display to market for Ultrabooks using its Shuriken Technology that features edge to edge design, smaller footprint and low power.
The Vision of Ultrabook Realized
The Ultrabook vision is a multi-year, industry-wide effort that will roll out in three phases. Eden said phase one is in process and will be realized this holiday season with the introduction of the first Ultrabook devices, while phase two will begin with the launch of Intel’s third generation Core processors in the first half of 2012. In 2013, Intel will introduce its next-generation, 22nm “Haswell” processor, signaling phase three of the transition to Ultrabook devices. Eden demonstrated “Haswell” running multiple applications at one time on stage at IDF. Devices powered by the future chip will ultimately transform the personal computing experience as a result of the new levels of power savings in the processor that will help provide more than 10 days of connected standby battery life, as well as give people the most complete and satisfying computing experience.
More information about the products and technologies demonstrated in the keynote is available at
http://www.intel.com/newsroom/idf
