Intel will look to slash Ultrabook prices

Intel® is reportedly looking to shave a few dollars off the price tag of a few Ultrabook™ computers after Apple® announced that it would reduce the price of the Macbook Air® by $100.

According to technology news provider DigiTimes, Intel will hold a conference in July with those involved in the Ultrabook supply chain to discuss how to reduce the production costs of the technology.

There are several ways Intel might go about accomplishing this. DigiTimes reports that sources familiar with the situation believe the chipmaker might push for the adoption of fiberglass-reinforced plastic bodies rather than aluminum alloy. The company might also call for manufacturers to tinker with the batteries, switching to lithium ion instead of Li-polymer.

Intel must be careful that its cost-cutting measures don't go too far and risk turning off prospective buyers. Cost has frequently been cited as the major obstacle for the Ultrabook, but manufacturers can hardly afford to change much in terms of design and performance if they hope the Ultrabook will succeed.