Intel to unveil latest Ultrabook in Kenya market

Intel—a global computing firm will unveil one of its latest PC products —the Ultrabook in Kenya and its neigbouring countries before end of next month.

Billed as the thinnest and lightest gadget in the PC stable, the new models will be shipped in a few weeks and is expected to retail at Sh87,000 ($1,000).

The best way to think of an Ultrabook is a MacBook Air that isn’t made by Apple, a netbook that isn’t underpowered or a laptop that’s been on a crash diet. It will have a Core i3, i5 or i7 processor.

Intel says, Ultrabooks also have “ultra-capabilities”— security features, battery power, instant-on and standby.

They’ll provide a lightweight alternative to tablet devices for people who just can’t work without a full QWERTY keyboard. There are also other high-end features such as SSD storage and USB 3.0 connectivity.

Intel East Africa general manager, Danie Steyn says Intel’s vision for the Ultrabook is to deliver a no-compromise, complete, satisfying and securer computing experience in one device.

“The Ultrabook is a tablet when you want it to be and a notebook when you need it. It’s considered relatively cheaper than a macbook.
A few Ultrabook models were launched into the market last year, but more than 75 Ultrabook designs are in the pipeline for 2012 and will come in a variety of screen sizes, shapes and styles. Nearly every manufacturer will be introducing one or more models this year”, says Mr Steyn.

The Intel Ultrabook is will compete with other brands from its rivals such as the LG 2 330, Samsung Series 5 Ultra and the Dell XPs 13.

Intel says that it would later fuse together a compact laptop with a tablet to make it a thin, lightweight laptop, with some models featuring a detachable screen that can be used as a tablet. Security is increasingly becoming more important to consumers who want to protect their data and personal assets.

“As the Ultra book continues to evolve, so too will the way people interact with them, as touch-based experiences are added. In a recently completed Intel research study on the use of touch-enabled applications on an Ultrabook, users found the use of touch on a clamshell design, and the seamless transition between the use of touch applications and the keyboard to be compelling and natural”.

Components from display panels, battery technology and storage solutions to motherboard and cooling technologies all had to be redesigned to fit into the new slim designs.

The Ultrabook family will transform your computer experience with the introduction of a number of new features, specifically design to address your most important needs.

mokuttah@ke.nationmedia.com