Notebook players aim to push ultrabooks with touchscreen features
Photo: Shihmin Fu, Digitimes file photo

In order to match Windows 8's touch functions, notebook vendors plan to offer touch ultrabooks, but the addition of touch functions will result in 0.7-1.5cm increase in thickness and higher production cost. To solve the problems, vendors will launch models with transforming designs as early as July-August 2012, according to sources from the notebook supply chain.

Notebook hinge makers pointed out that with the existing clamshell designs of ultrabooks, the panel could easily move around while users are operating through a touchscreen, but if they strengthen the hinge's torque, it could easily flip up the bottom part of the notebook. As a result, the vendors will need to adopt a transforming design to allow touch screen functions to work.

The sources revealed that notebook brand vendors including Lenovo, Asustek Computer and Acer, all plan to launch transforming ultrabooks with Lenovo planning to launch its upcoming Yoga in the second half.
The sources also noted that most of the transforming designs are rotatable screen models that turn the ultrabook into a tablet PC, while sliding screens may also become a method to achieve the same results.