Why Ultrabook Convertibles Are Here to Stay

In the last few years, the PC industry has undergone some large changes, kicking off a wave of innovation and developments. A lot of these changes are often linked to the introduction of tablets to the market, which has made mobility, touch screen interfaces, and convenient apps something of a necessity. However, the proliferation of tablets has not yet answered the need for complete productivity, because they have yet to offer all the same functionality as a traditional laptop or desktop computer.

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A Quick History

When Intel first announced the ultrabook category of laptop back in 2011, it garnered some attention at first for the sleek form factors, extended battery life, Rapid Start features, and more. The design goal was simple: it was to combine the convenience and mobility of a tablet with the features, functionality, and keyboard. An ultrabook could be both a PC and a tablet and provide the best of both worlds.

However, these models didn’t quite reach the levels of success the manufacturer wanted. According to the research firm IDC, only about 500,000 ultrabooks were sold in the first half of 2012; not nearly enough to make the name they were destined to own. It was going to need something else to boost its popularity.

When Windows 8 was launched, things began to change for the ultrabook. The new operating system was designed for a touch screen interface, which bridged the gap between a small laptop focused on mobility and a powerful computer that provides the necessary functionality. It was a start, but there was another development that would really push the popularity of the ultrabook and help it get a larger share of the market.

Convertible Designs May Push Demand for Ultrabooks

While touch screen interfaces and solid, functional keyboards are both great, the ultrabook wasn’t quite finding a place in the market. Perhaps this was simply because with the increasing popularity of the tablet, many users didn’t see the need to upgrade a laptop that was still “good enough” if they could simply complement their work with a new tablet. This is why convertible ultrabooks have started to make waves.

These computers allow users to flip, swivel, or otherwise employ the screen of an ultrabook as a traditional tablet, effectively bringing the two models closer together. This provides the convenience of the smaller devices while still offering all the productivity options that people still need; one step closer to being “good enough” for one to make a switch.

Intel is still behind the ultrabook category, and at a recent conference announced a low-power 7-watt version of its Ivy Bridget processors for ultrabooks. This new chip will give manufacturers even more flexibility to create thinner and lighter convertibles that still have a usable keyboard and touch screen interface. Intel is also introducing its 4th gen core processors (code named Haswell) this year, which can provide up to 13 hours of battery life and a lot more power than the average tablet processor. These aspects were key in gaining the attention that the ultrabook computers needed.

Differences that Matter

Tablets have, without a doubt, been extremely popular over the last few years. While some have said this spells the death of the traditional computer market, new developments like the hybrid or convertible models seem like they’re here to stay.

Consider the differences. A user could, for example, purchase a 13" convertible ultrabook that has a top-of-the-line display, somewhere between 128GB to 256GB SSD, a powerful processor and 4 to 8GB or RAM. These specs are, of course, on top of the convenience, portability, and tablet-like interface. Compare that to one of the top 10" tablets on the market, with maybe 64GB of storage, a gig of RAM, and processors that don’t exactly push any boundaries. This combination of mobility and power is what will keep these ultrabooks around for a long time. For more information on these ultrabooks visit the

Dell site here.

What are your thoughts on ultrabook convertibles? Please give us your input and converse below.

Author Bio

Jared Jacobs is very passionate about technology. While working for Dell he has gained valuable knowledge about the enterprise solutions and consumer marketplace. After work Jared enjoys working on his home and watching his favorite sports teams.

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