Ultrabook Sales to Jump in 2013, New Features and Technology to Drive them

Ultrabook sales are all set to overtake like for like notebook sales by mid-2013, however to get there they are going to need to be significantly better than they are now in order to justify a purchase versus all of the tablet computers on the market.

Sales of 13.3-inch Ultrabooks will exceed those of 13.3-inch notebooks in 2013 according to Context, with current sales having increased six times since the start of 2012.

Didn’t you know, touch screen enabled Ultrabooks are revolutionizing the laptop market, and further technologies are in the pipeline and in development by technology companies in order to make these ultra-portable laptops even better. So, what’s in the pipeline technology wise?

Wireless charging for smartphones

Intel has developed a type of wireless technology whereby your future Ultrabook could charge your smartphone wirelessly. Not like HP’s inductive charging solution, Intel’s is completely wireless and contactless with the technology being called ‘resonance’ charging by its developers, the Analog and Power Division at IDT.

Lower cost hybrid storage options for manufacturers

Toshiba is the worlds’ third largest hard drive manufacturer and is keen to change this. To do so, the company is currently testing new types of manufacturer affordable hybrid storage for use specifically in Ultrabooks. 750GB and 1TB capacities are said to be in the works, and Toshiba will sell the new drives at around the same cost as a full HDD. 8GB SSD coupled with the rest HDD is on the cards.

Sharp IGZO displays

Sharp is said to have struck a deal with Intel to offer up LCD display panels for future Ultrabooks which pack Sharp’s IGZO technology. To the consumer this means that more power efficient Ultrabooks are on the way, however to the technologically savvy person out there IGZO technology stands for indium gallium zinc oxide.

A new NGFF SSD for Ultrabooks

Intel is currently said to be working on a next generation form factor for SSD’s in order to at last put an end to the capacity barrier of 512GB as is currently shipping with top-end machines. Terabyte specification SSD storage options are on the cards whilst 750GB ones are also very likely. Reports on this news suggest that the new specification will carry the same mSATA width and depth, however could in theory be offered in a length of 80mm, the length of which is the minimum requirement for a Terabyte of storage.

About Jakk: Jakk Ogden is a professional self-employed blogger and the founder / owner of Technology Blogged. 22, with a love for good writing, you'll find me playing 'Drag Racing' on my HTC One X and rocking a pair of Grado headphones. If you love technology, be sure to subscribe to my feed for unique editorials. Find me on Google+. View author profile.