Ultrabook prices set to drop as second generation nears

The forthcoming second generation of the Ultrabook™ should prove to be a boon for consumers on a number of levels.

For one, they can expect further technological innovation for the super-thin laptop computers. It appears as though vendors are also planning to drop the prices for the first generation of the devices by as much as 25 percent, according technology news provider DigiTimes.

"Although Ultrabooks are unlikely to achieve Intel's goal of having a share of 40 percent in total notebook shipments by the end of 2012, as more new Ultrabook products will appear in the retail channel, the average price should quickly drop to $699-$799 in the second quarter from the current $1,000 price," unnamed sources told the news provider.

The drop in price, DigiTimes says, could mean the release of second-generation Ultrabooks is imminent, and could happen shortly after Intel™ launches its Ivy Bridge processors.

The Ivy Bridge architecture is expected to significantly boost the Ultrabook's graphics performance and battery life. Intel first discussed the new processors in detail at its Intel Developer Forum, hosted in the fall of 2011 in San Francisco.