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While it may look like a tablet, this is in fact the first of a new series of prototype devices from Intel — hardware that it believes is the future of its self-styled ultrabook initiative.
Demoed in Beijing last week, this is Intel’s Cove Point. It’s reminiscent of two-in-one tablets like the Asus Transformer — with its hinged, folding design that switches from tablet to ultrabook-style laptop — but this thing is actually far, far beefier.
Beneath its surface, it’s a fully-fledged PC. The device demoed in Bejing featured an early sample of Intel’s upcoming Ivy Bridge CPU, a 12.5-inch screen, two USB 3.0 ports and an HDMI port. It was also running a consumer preview version of Windows 8.
Speaking about the new design, Gary Richman, Director of Marketing for Intel’s PC Client Solutions Division, told Wired:
“When we started talking about ultrabooks last year, we talked about different form factors, and touch and convertibles. This has been an evolution over time. Ultrabooks were never meant to be just clamshell designs… Where we see the future of computing going, with tablets and Windows 8, is the importance of the touch experience. [With Cove Point] we were looking to define the compelling form factors, usages and benefits of having a notebook design, while taking advantage of the touch experience in Windows 8.”
There are currently no details as to whether any OEMs are planning to make an announcement about a device similar to Cove Point. When pressed, however, Richman did explain that he’d expect a similar device to retail for around £650. One thing’s for certain: it’s a hell of a lot more likely to come to market than some of the Intel concepts we’ve seen. [Wired and Pocket Lint]
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Looks niiiiice.
What is that strange OS on the screen though? It looks nice.
Symbian.
rofl.
How is that Symbian :S?
It is indeed far, far beefier. You couldn’t use that thing as a handheld tablet for more than a minute unless you spend most afternoons in the gym. And using a tablet flat down on a surface in front of you is pretty uncomfortable. Not sure where this is going.
Yeah, a tablet that isn’t as thin or light as current tablets isn’t going to work for many people. When the technology gets to the point where we can run full Windows 8 on a super portable tablet that docks to become a full desktop it will be brilliant.
I have an Acer 1825PTZ, which I purchased instead of a tablet because I wanted the additional features (such as a large internal HD, full USB support, etc) with a tablet-style functionality option.
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/laptops/358369/acer-aspire-1825ptz
In theory, it’s brilliant. The weight doesn’t bother me either (I actually like it being a little heavier than, say, an iPad – it feels more balanced). The only problem, and this is a biggie, is that the screen’s viewing angles are terrible. If held in portrait orientation, especially, you can only comfortably view it at a particular angle.
It’s a great little netbook, so I’m happy enough with it, but the tablet aspect didn’t work out.
If this Ultrabook concept has a screen on par in terms of view angles and clarity as some of the better tablets out there, I’d be seriously interested.
I like it. Its a bit thick for a true tablet but I’ll take the mm’s in exchange for the performance.