Ultrabook shipments to reach 20 to 30 million in 2012, Intel says

Intel® is anticipating huge and near-immediate success for its Ultrabook™ technology, as the company has reportedly estimated shipments of the new device will reach between 20 million and 30 million units by the end of 2012.

Technology news provider DigiTimes reports that the chipmaker does not expect the growth to stop there. According to the news provider, Intel is predicting Ultrabook shipments will double or possibly triple in 2013.

Intel has always had high hopes for the Ultrabook computer. When it introduced the technology in mid-2011, the company estimated that Ultrabooks would account for as much as 40 percent of consumer notebook purchases in 2012. While most industry observers agree that this is a lofty estimate, Intel is apparently still optimistic.

DigiTimes reports that second-generation Ultrabooks are expected to make their debut in May 2012, and many will more closely resemble Ultrabook-tablet hybrids than traditional clamshells. This is in line with an April 2012 report from Wired, in which Intel PC Client Solutions Division director of marketing Gary Richman reveals that the chipmaker never intended for the Ultrabook to be limited to the clamshell form factor.