Technophiles already torn between tablets and notebooks will soon have a new option: the ultrabook.
Q&A: Intel’s announcement about ultrabooks was the biggest story at Computex. But other products certainly generated plenty of buzz as well.
Last Updated: June 7, 2011
Like what? HP's TouchPad tablet was first revealed earlier this year, but few people have had the chance to test drive it yet. Some tech writers got a sneak demo at Computex, when a rep at the SanDisk booth whipped one out.
What's unique about this particular model? Its 9.7-inch touchscreen displays information through a three-column layout, which is different from most of its competitors. But the TouchPad's most unusual feature will let consumers transfer web sites, documents and songs simply by tapping it with certain other HP devices.
Were there other new tablets on display? Yes. Intel announced that its technology would be embedded in 10 new tablets in the future. The ViewPad 7x tablet, which will run both the Windows 7 and Android operating systems, has a 7-inch screen. That's the same size as the new BlackBerry PlayBook, which is to go on sale in the UAE on Sunday.
Intel unveiled this new category of computers last week at the annual Computex expo in Taipei. It is essentially a hybrid of its forebears, featuring the slim, lightweight design of a tablet with processing power closer to that of a laptop. The device is expected to sell for less than $1,000 and will be made by multiple manufacturers starting this year.
In this part of the world, ultrabooks "could be big in education", says David Ashford, the general manager of AppsArabia, an Abu Dhabi-based fund that invests in app ideas from the region.
"If you look at what students do now, some take tablets with them into lectures. If [ultrabooks] are suddenly much more powerful, and in effect proper laptops, that could be quite impressive," Mr Ashford says.
Asus's UX21, which was displayed as the world's first ultrabook at Computex, weighs only 1.08kg and is just 17mm thick. Analysts say it is meant to compete with Apple's popular but pricey MacBook Air.
While Intel forecasts that its ultrabooks could account for 40 per cent of all laptop sales by the end of next year, the company also concedes the devices might leave consumers scratching their heads initially.
"There'll be some confusion if you look at the fold factor," said Shmuel "Mooly" Eden, an Intel vice president. "When you open it you'll see a PC, but if you're on the go, just fold it and suddenly it's a tablet."
Some local tech experts say the ultrabook's success here will hinge on whether it packs enough power to smoothly browse the web, check e-mail and connect to social media, and on its price.
Top 5: Essentials while in Istanbul.
1 Bosporus cruise.
2 Grand Bazaar.
3 Spice Market.
4 Underground cisterns of Yerebatan Sarnici.
5 Turku band in Beyoglu restaurant.
"There is space for ultra portables," says Magnus Nystedt, the group editor for the magazine PCWorld Middle East. However, he says, "a lot of consumers are going to be confused when they go into a showroom to try and figure out which one to buy."
The Quote: "Is it a PC? Is it a tablet? I think it doesn't matter." Mooly Eden, vice president of Intel, about a new category of laptops called ultrabooks.
nparmar@thenational.ae
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
The biog
Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents
Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University
As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families
Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
How to tell if your child is being bullied at school
Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety
Shows signs of depression or isolation
Ability to sleep well diminishes
Academic performance begins to deteriorate
Changes in eating habits
Struggles to concentrate
Refuses to go to school
Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings
Begins to use language they do not normally use
UAE squad v Australia
Rohan Mustafa (C), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Fahad Nawaz, Amjed Gul, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Muhammad Naveed, Amir Hayat, Ghulam Shabir (WK), Qadeer Ahmed, Tahir Latif, Zahoor Khan
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
