Computex 2012: Ultrabook mania begins with Acer's S7 launch

As tech firms, analysts and enthusiasts get ready for Taipei’s Computex, the world’s second-largest computer show which begins tomorrow and goes on till 9 June, there’s no doubt what the star product of the show will be. The Ultrabook. Nearly a dozen Ultrabooks aka ultra-thin laptops, with 12 to 17-inch screens and powered by Intel’s new generation of “Ivy Bridge” processors are expected to be revealed at Computex.

The Ultrabook’s success is crucial for computer makers and others in the industry as World PC sales have stalled since 2010 and the launch of Apple’s iPad which spurred the tablet revolution.

iPad and a host of cheaper Android tablets have destroyed PC sales for two of Taiwan’s biggest brands - Acer and AsusTek Computer Inc. Acer has slipped to the world’s fourth largest PC vendor from No 2 amid stalled sales, while AsusTek comes in fifth.

A day ahead of the electronics show, Acer held its own press conference to announce the release o f two new Windows 8 tablets and the Aspire S7 Ultrabook series.

Slash Gear reports, that Acer has launched two Ultrabooks, one is a 13.3-inch model and the second is an 11.6-inch model. Both have a full 180-degree fold-back screens.

The 13-inch Aspire S7 has a glass lid, fully backlit keyboards, and both have full HD displays. The actual specifications these notebooks have not yet been revealed by Acer, according to Slash Gear.

The Ultrabooks run on Intel’s “Ivy Bridge” processors which use the 22-nanometer process technology that allows for more powerful and electricity-efficient computing devices than the typical tablet.

Microsoft’s Windows 8 software is the OS on which the devices will run. Windows 8 will be released later this year.

The big problem with most Ultrabooks is still their price. An Ultrabook in India costs nothing less than Rs 50,000 and these being the most basic ones. Hopefully with a lot more models, prices of the Ultrabooks will go down.

With inputs from AP