Intel gears up for launch of new convertible ultrabook

Intel has teamed up with Lenovo, Dell and Toshiba to make three different models of the ultrabook, which will be released in time for Christmas.

The ‘ultrabook’ format aims to capitalise on the success of Apple’s Macbook Air, and the term itself has been trademarked by Intel for its slim but powerful laptops that run Windows.

The new devices have features which allow them to swivel, fold and detach some of the parts.

There three different models of the Ultrabook are: the Lenovo Ideapad Yoga, the Dell XPS Duo 12 and the Toshiba Satellite U925T/U920T.

The Lenovo model is said to have eight hours' battery life and offers 8GB memory. It can flip 360 degrees so it is usable as a notebook or tablet.

The Toshiba device is designed specifically to sync up to televisions and acesss on-demand online content.

Market research firm IHS iSuppli has claimed that ultrabooks will make up 43 per cent of global PC shipments in 2015, up from 13 per cent in 2012.

Intel itself has predicted 40 per cent, caused by a fall in American prices.

The pricing of the new ultrabook has not yet been announced but the Asus Zenbook, an ultrabook model released last year, began retailing at £850.