Laptop Thoughts: The Intel Ultrabook Gets Backed by Money

"At this year's Computex Intel announced a "new" category of notebook computer designed to further blur the lines between traditional notebooks and tablets: the Ultrabook. Requirements for an Ultrabook are straightforward: it needs to be thin and light, it needs to have an SSD and it needs to be available at less than $1000. Think MacBook Air, but for all manufacturers."

The $300 million fund may help drive more interest in the Ultrabook spec, but I am not really sure how it will help. Companies are already seeking to achieve the same coolness factor that the MacBook Air, or Samsung Series 9 have. Those that currently do not have something comparable offer basic laptops at half the cost, or are investing their energies into the hot tablet market. If it catches on though, I suspect that there will be an increase in manilla folder sales.