Intel to hold ultrabook cost-reduction meeting with Taiwan supply chain makers in July

Intel will hold a conference in July to discuss with Taiwan-based supply chain makers about how to minimize ultrabook production costs, according to the makers.

Intel aims to decrease retail prices for ultrabooks to US$699 in the second half of 2012, and thereby reach target global sales of 20-30 million units for the year.

Apple lowering retail prices for the new MacBook Air equipped with Ivy Bridge processors by US$100 has brought pressure to cut ultrabook prices, the sources indicated.

Intel will focus on solutions to reduce component costs, including adoption of fiberglass-reinforced plastic cases in place of expensive aluminum-alloy, 16650 cylinder-shaped batteries or prismatic lithium-ion batteries in place of Li-polymer batteries and hybrid-HDDs in place of SSDs, the sources said.