Viewing that Intel will delay the launch of Ivy Bridge processors until June and existing Sandy Bridge-based ultrabooks are too expensive, Taiwan-based vendors plan to offer ultrabook-like, notebooks similar to ultrabooks in terms of slimness but less expensive for sale at about US$600, for launch in the second quarter, according to industry sources.

As ultrabooks are equipped with metal cases, expensive hollow hinges and SSDs, high production costs push retail prices to US$1,000, much higher than the price level of US$600-700 expected in the market, the sources said.

However, ultrabooks are a trend and therefore Taiwan-based vendors plan to offer slim models by adopting cheaper components which are not the same as those used in ultrabooks. Although ultrabook-like PCs will not meet Intel's ultrabook requirements, they will sell at lower prices, the sources said.