Intel's chief executive officer Paul Otellini believes that the future of portable computing lies in “ultra-thin” laptops – rather than the currently popular netbooks.
Speaking during Intel's earnings report, CNet reports that Otellini claimed that ultra-thin laptops can address core issues that buyers of netbooks are finding a source of irritation. Claiming that consumers are often disappointed when they “try to do 3D games on [netbooks] or try to run their office applications on them” and blaming the “entire architecture” of netbooks rather than his company's Atom range of low-power chips, Otellini believes that the time has come for ultra-thins to take centre stage.
While ultra-thin laptops were once the sole preserve of the top-end of the market – and often had slower, less powerful processors – Otellini believes that enough users have reached the limitations of their netbooks that the higher price of an ultra-thin - $699 for an Acer Aspire Timeline – is no longer so much of an objection.
Trying to push consumers towards ultra-thin laptops makes sense from a business standpoint: while Intel's Atom chip is selling well, it's the ultra-low voltage Core 2 chips which the company makes real money from. The increased performance possible with such processors also helps prevent Intel's brand from being associated with a poor user experience – something which is inevitable if a user buys a netbook expecting it to be simply a small laptop.
Intel is likely to have a fight on its hands, however: despite the tendecy for more recent netbook releases to incorporate features – and pricing – more commonly seen in the laptop market, consumers have proven their love for the diminutive little devices time and time again. As sexy as a 13” ultra-slim is, buyers are going to have to ask themselves if it's really worth twice the price.
Do you think ultra-slim laptops are where the future is at, or has Otellini missed the entire point of netbooks by referring to 3D gaming? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
Speaking during Intel's earnings report, CNet reports that Otellini claimed that ultra-thin laptops can address core issues that buyers of netbooks are finding a source of irritation. Claiming that consumers are often disappointed when they “try to do 3D games on [netbooks] or try to run their office applications on them” and blaming the “entire architecture” of netbooks rather than his company's Atom range of low-power chips, Otellini believes that the time has come for ultra-thins to take centre stage.
While ultra-thin laptops were once the sole preserve of the top-end of the market – and often had slower, less powerful processors – Otellini believes that enough users have reached the limitations of their netbooks that the higher price of an ultra-thin - $699 for an Acer Aspire Timeline – is no longer so much of an objection.
Trying to push consumers towards ultra-thin laptops makes sense from a business standpoint: while Intel's Atom chip is selling well, it's the ultra-low voltage Core 2 chips which the company makes real money from. The increased performance possible with such processors also helps prevent Intel's brand from being associated with a poor user experience – something which is inevitable if a user buys a netbook expecting it to be simply a small laptop.
Intel is likely to have a fight on its hands, however: despite the tendecy for more recent netbook releases to incorporate features – and pricing – more commonly seen in the laptop market, consumers have proven their love for the diminutive little devices time and time again. As sexy as a 13” ultra-slim is, buyers are going to have to ask themselves if it's really worth twice the price.
Do you think ultra-slim laptops are where the future is at, or has Otellini missed the entire point of netbooks by referring to 3D gaming? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
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