Can Ultrabooks save the PC market?

The recent rise of the tablet has spelled trouble for the PC market. Though the mobile devices are still relatively new, many experts and industry observers are already proclaiming the end of the PC era as consumers and business users shift toward tablet computers.

However, these proclamations may be a bit preemptive. Currently, PC sales still far exceed those of tablets. And a new development in the works may breathe some life into the PC market.

The Ultrabook™ is a fresh take on the laptop. Conceptualized by chipmaker Intel®, the Ultrabook is lighter and thinner than traditional laptops, but offers more functionality than tablets.

Though the first Ultrabook isn't expected to hit the market until late 2011, many already have high expectations for the device. Intel, for example, predicts that Ultrabooks will account for 40 percent of consumer laptops sold in 2012. Research firm TrendForce estimates Ultrabooks will make up 10 percent of the global computer market by the end of 2012.

The popularity of tablets makes it apparent that computer users are looking for a little more portability from their devices. However, the presence of a physical keyboard and a mouse is still important to many users as well. By marrying the best of tablets and laptops on one machine, the Ultrabook may be the answer for computer users and the PC market.