Targeting Ultrabooks at consumers don’t seem to be helping first-to-market OEMs like Acer or Asus move units, so HP is positioning its first Ultrabook, the Folio (pictured right), for frequent flying corporate types.
While the Folio is hardly the thinnest (at 18 mm), the lightest (at 3.3-pounds), nor the most good looking Ultrabook, HP is betting that its 9-hour battery life and security features like the optional TPM Embedded Security Chip to protect against sensitive data will win over some enterprises to outfit its mobile staff with Ultrabooks.
Powered by the Intel Core i5-2467M (1.6Hz base clock speed) Ultra Low Voltage processor, the Folio has a 13.3″ LED display, 4 GB of RAM, 128 GB SSD, backlit keyboard, as well as a HP TrueVision HD webcam for video conferencing. According to its press release, the HP Ultrabook will have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, an Ethernet and a USB 3.0 port, but did not mention a RGB connector for projectors or a SD Card slot a la the Toshiba Z830.
The $899.99 base model will run Windows 7 Home Premium but can be upgraded to other variants of the OS for more money, of course. There is also an optional USB 2.0 dock that adds more ports to the Folio but it’s not clear how much extra such an accessory will cost. Ditto for the cost of the TPM chip, which no doubt will up the price of this HP Ultrabook but may not be a deal-breaker for corporations who need to protect against data lost/theft.
The Folio is set for release on December 7 so this could be the machine you’ll be toting on your winter working holiday.
[Source: HP, NotebookCheck, DigiTimes]
Related:
- The HP Folio Ultrabook (photos)
- Ultrabook sales off to a disappointing start, thanks to high prices
- HP keeps its PC business: Price war, crumbling profit margins next
- Intel pins hopes on Ultrabooks; over 70 designs in pipeline
- Dell’s slim XPS 14z rises to challenge MacBook Pro
- Asus’ Zenbook UX21 and UX31 arrive October 12 (first look)
- Acer Aspire S3 is today’s thinnest Ultrabook
- Ultrabook Showdown: Lenovo IdeaPad U300s vs. Toshiba Portege Z830
