Ultrabooks: What are they anyway?

One technology that has generated a great deal of attention lately is the Ultrabook™. Even before the first Ultrabook hits the shelves, technology observers and industry professionals alike are enthusiastic about its potential.

But that leaves out one category -- and the one that's likely to benefit the most from the Ultrabook. That is the user. In advance of the Ultrabook's release, many consumers and business users are still wondering exactly what the new, heavily hyped technology is.

In the simplest description, the Ultrabook is a fresh take on the notebook computer -- as reimagined by chipmaker Intel® -- which combines many of the favored elements of both laptops and tablet computers.

Like tablets, Ultrabooks will be lightweight and thin, making them convenient for travel, whether from airport to airport or simply across the office. The PCs will also be based on mobile processors developed by Intel.

Like notebooks, Ultrabooks will include physical keyboards for productivity. This will make the technology ideal for users looking for portability without sacrificing functionality.

Intel itself will not manufacture the Ultrabooks, but instead the processors upon which they're built. The first Ultrabook is expected to launch in late 2011, followed by a slew of Ultrabooks from several manufacturers in 2012.