Ultrabook Prices Dropping Before 2nd-Gen Ivy Bridge Launch

News
By Kevin Parrish
published

First-generation ultrabooks are getting cheaper, making way for the second wave arriving after the launch of Intel's second-generation Ivy Bridge processor.

Unnamed sources from retail channels claim that recent price drops of ultrabooks provided by the likes of Acer, Lenovo and HP are due to the upcoming launch of Intel's second-generation Ivy Bridge processors. Ultrabooks based on the new platform are expected to arrive shortly after Intel's CPU launch.

The reduction in price is obvious: to push the older 1st-genration models off store shelves to make way for the newer, spunkier models. This is nothing unusual, and typically a sign that the next-generation models are getting ready to invade retail shelves. That said, now would be a good time to purchase an ultrabook before the newer, pricier models arrive.

As DigiTimes points out, Acer's Aspire S3 HDD-equipped ultrabook was reduced to $799 USD here in the States. Lenovo and HP's ultrabook prices also saw a price cut, costing 25-percent and 21-percent less respectively. HP is reportedly geared up to launch its new ultrabook, the Envy Spectra 14, in Taiwan this week. Acer and Lenovo's new ultrabook offerings are scheduled to arrive in the second quarter of 2012.

Retail channel sources add that ultrabooks will probably not achieve Intel's goal of a 40-percent share of the notebook market by the end of 2012. But as more new ultrabooks begin to appear in the retail channel, the average price will quickly dip down into the $699-$799 USD realm in the second quarter.

Maybe Intel will grab its 40-percent of the notebook market in 2013 instead? Probably not if AMD has anything to say about it with the imminent release of the "ultrathin" form factor.

Kevin Parrish
15 Comments Comment from the forums
  • amk-aka-Phantom
    But as more new ultrabooks begin to appear in the retail channel, the average price will quickly dip down into the $699-$799 USD realm in the second quarter.

    Not bad, but still can't match heavier laptops for the same price. I don't care how much a laptop weighs as long as it's not more than 17'', it still doesn't fit in my pocket and therefore goes in the backpack.
    Reply
  • de5_Roy
    bring on trinity!!!!
    ;D
    Reply
  • wolley74
    all for the lower prices, but the problem is they have such utterly horrible cooling, sure they're thin but i'd rather have an extra pound or two and have decent cooling instead of having to shell out $50 for a decent cooler
    Reply
  • molo9000
    amk-aka-PhantomNot bad, but still can't match heavier laptops for the same price. I don't care how much a laptop weighs as long as it's not more than 17'', it still doesn't fit in my pocket and therefore goes in the backpack.
    You can't use a 17" laptop on a normal lecture hall desk, in an airplane, on a train or even on your lap. It works fine as a movable desktop-replacement, but it just doesn't offer the mobility many people want from a laptop.

    Being able to have your laptop with you at all times and use it anywhere is of much larger benefit to most people than a larger display or more performance.
    Reply
  • danbfree
    Whatever happened to the $349 ~12" models that were respectable? I guess gotta dig for low-end AMD models, but at least they are good bag for the buck!
    Reply
  • billybobser
    Probably a drop in prices after the hype has died down.

    Tbh, if the thunderbolt gfx card idea could actually power the laptop screen, instead of requiring a seperate screen. I see no need for an 'ultra' book.

    If you want to combine laptop portability with desktop power, you're better off having a dock system where the laptop can use additional resources, instead of having a laptop that fails at being a laptop.
    Reply
  • hardcore_gamer
    I'll buy an ultrathin if it costs less than $600
    Reply
  • geekapproved
    2nd gen Ivy Bridge launch? Did I miss the 1st gen launch??
    Reply
  • yanjustin98
    Don't really see the practical point of "ultrathin" laptops. First of, the cooling suffers compared to other thicker laptops. Second, in correlation to the cooling, you have a higher chance of bottlenecking, performance drops, etc. Oh and the health experts say that hot laptops are bad for your legs... If they can convince me that ultrathin laptops can compete with something like a Dell Precision M6600 or even a laptop that's not as expensive then I might consider buying one. As for the mobility, many laptops come with 15 in screen anyways, and honestly, just get a backpack; it's not that clunky.
    Reply
  • itzdanielp
    Wait, when was Ivy Bridge launched??? Was I in a coma for a couple years?
    Reply