14-inch Dell ultrabook due at CES, HP may hit late 2011
updated 11:30 pm EDT, Tue October 4, 2011
Dell and HP ultrabook schedules pop up
More details of the ultrabooks from Dell and HP have poppoed up in a brief leak. The Dell model is now expected by Digitimes sources to have a 14-inch screen, making it one of the larger MacBook Air alternatives. Wistron would make the design and have it ready in time for Dell's customary CES introduction in January.
HP's model would reportedly show up earlier, in late 2011. Its favorite contractor Quanta would make the hardware.
The ultrabook category, enshrined by Intel as a way of both encouraging more designs like Apple's as well as a way to hedge against tablets. So far, however, early adopters have all been Southeast Asian companies like Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo where American PC builders outside of Apple have been late.
Dell's wait for early 2012 might open the possibility of using Intel's leaner, faster Ivy Bridge processors and possibly claim a temporary speed advantage.
