The latest buzzword you have likely heard of recently is the Ultrabook. The first thing you want to know about the Ultrabook is that it's both afresh category of sub-notebook and a trademarked computing concept. The Ultrabook is the inspiration of microprocessor giant Intel, which comes with certain requirements about design and performance, most notably the use of Intel Ultra-Low Voltage Sandy Bridge processors, So, while you will start listening the term Ultrabook thrown around a lot this year, you will not find an AMD-powered ‘Ultrabook’.
Now, the reasons that the Ultrabook concept was born was to invigorate the PC space for extremely portable computing without sacrificing too much performance. In fact, the key usage model for the Ultrabook is mobile productivity and multitasking. An Ultrabook is defined to be a notebook with a screen size under 14- inches, thickness of no more than 21mm, weigh less than 1.3kg, run on Intel Sandy Bridge CULV processors with a maximum TDP of 17W, and cost under US1,000.
Size, Weight, and batery life
Ultrabooks " are super thin at 21mm, commonly featuring a unibody design and weighing under 1.3kg. Because Ultrabooks have to fit these design specifications, they're boom for frequent travellers who realize the hassle of lugging about a notebook. Ultrabooks by definition have to last at least five hours on a single charge. This is made possible by using Ultra Low Voltage Sandy Bridge processor configurations with internal Intel HD Graphics 3ooo and flash-based SSD drives. Depending on configuration, Ultrabooks can tout over eight hours of run time. Larger notebooks, with their mechanical HDDs and standard voltage processors are usually unable to match these numbers.
Although based on ULV components, Intel Sandy Bridge processors are able to provide the computing performance that’s necessary for business productivity and moderate multitasking. However, just as ULV processors have become more powerful, so have standard voltage processors become more energy efficient. This means that a properly optimized ultraportable can be used not just office productivity tasks, but even for full-fledged entertainment without taking too much hit on design and battery life. New materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber help dissipate heat better than regular plastic construction while keeping the notebook lightweight.
Now, the reasons that the Ultrabook concept was born was to invigorate the PC space for extremely portable computing without sacrificing too much performance. In fact, the key usage model for the Ultrabook is mobile productivity and multitasking. An Ultrabook is defined to be a notebook with a screen size under 14- inches, thickness of no more than 21mm, weigh less than 1.3kg, run on Intel Sandy Bridge CULV processors with a maximum TDP of 17W, and cost under US1,000.
Size, Weight, and batery life
Although based on ULV components, Intel Sandy Bridge processors are able to provide the computing performance that’s necessary for business productivity and moderate multitasking. However, just as ULV processors have become more powerful, so have standard voltage processors become more energy efficient. This means that a properly optimized ultraportable can be used not just office productivity tasks, but even for full-fledged entertainment without taking too much hit on design and battery life. New materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber help dissipate heat better than regular plastic construction while keeping the notebook lightweight.