Intel shows off ultrabook prototype at CES

Computerworld - Intel drew an excited response from the Monday morning crowd at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas when the company showed off a prototype of an ultrabook with a transparent touch screen.

The company is calling the ultrabook/tablet hybrid a "slider." While open, it can be used as a regular laptop; when closed, it can be transformed into a flat tablet with a touchscreen.

Intel unveiled an ultrabook prototype that can be used in laptop or tablet mode.

"We're making it so you have the best of both worlds," Erik Reid, a general manager with Intel, told Computerworld. "You want the productivity of notebook, but there are times you want to be in a tablet mode, like when you're on a plane. We're merging those for you."

The ultrabook prototype is closed in this picture, effectively converting it into a tablet.

"The hybrids or convertibles will come out later this year," Reid said. "This is what we consider Job 1 for Intel. It's our focus to create excitement in the PC category."

Sharon Gaudin covers the Internet and Web 2.0, emerging technologies, and desktop and laptop chips for Computerworld. Follow Sharon on Twitter at @sgaudin, on Google+ or subscribe to Sharon's RSS feed . Her e-mail address is sgaudin@computerworld.com.

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