Cheaper Ultrabooks on the way

At this point, inexpensive Ultrabook™ computers are hard to come by. Those looking to get on board with the new technology early are likely to find themselves shelling out about $900 or more.

But this may not be the case much longer, as one Intel® official says a more affordable Ultrabook is on the horizon.

Speaking at a press event in Taipei, Intel Taiwan's country manager Jason Chen says consumers can expect to see a $599 Ultrabook computer in the near future -- possibly as early as the second half of 2012, according to news provider Focus Taiwan.

These devices will come with a tradeoff, however. The more affordable Ultrabooks will still boast the same slight frame and light weight as their more expensive counterparts, but Focus Taiwan reports that they'll be built with cheaper materials -- likely a mixture of plastic and aluminum rather than magnesium.

In April, Intel PC Client group general manager Kirk Skaugen told attendees at the Intel Developer Forum they could expect Ultrabook prices to come down to $699 by the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year. Though there appears to be some discrepancy between Skaugen and Chen's estimates, Chen says $699 will likely be the "mainstream price."