Microsoft is expected to launch Windows 8, the next version of the Windows operating system (OS), in 2012. It is the leader in the OS market where it competes with Apple's Mac OS X and various Linux based distros. Windows 8 will also run on tablets where Apple's iOS and Google's Android currently control almost the entire market. Apple is also rapidly gaining market share in the notebook market with the popular Macbook Air. Intel, which has been sidelined when it comes to tablets, has been trying to get into the market for smartphone and tablet processors, which is controlled almost entirely by ARM, but hasn’t gained a foothold in the mobile processor market yet.
Check out our complete analysis for Microsoft
Ultrabooks, a new kind of slim, powerful and long-lasting notebooks, may be the answer to both Microsoft’s and Intel’s problems. Various notebook manufacturers like Asus, Toshiba and Acer have launched ultrabooks, but they have been priced much higher than the average notebook, which has led to low sales.
Intel launched a new $300 million Ultrabook Fund, to get ultrabook prices down to the $600–$700 level, and make them mass-market devices. Acer is reportedly working on a budget ultrabook, priced at just $699. [1] Other manufacturers will likely follow its lead, and we should see a series of budget ultrabooks in 2012.
Check out our complete analysis for Intel
We also expect leading notebook manufacturers to launch touchscreen ultrabooks next year, which should lead to a surge in overall notebook sales, which have been lagging due to growing popularity of tablets, mostly Apple’s iPad and Google’s Android tablets. Most ultrabooks will come bundled with Microsoft’s Windows 8 and will be powered by Intel’s microprocessors, so any increase in ultrabook sales would be beneficial to both Microsoft and Intel.
Windows accounts for nearly 25% of Microsoft’s $32 Trefis price estimate, while notebook processors account for more than 35% of Intel’s $29 Trefis price estimate.
Submit a Post at Trefis Powered by Data and Interactive Charts | Understand What Drives a Stock at Trefis
Notes:
- Acer to launch 15-inch ultrabook PC, Digitimes [↩]
Like our charts? Embed them in your own posts using the Trefis WordPress Plugin.
