Updating…  Thanks for watching! We’ve stopped updating this post now. A lot happened so enjoy the read…

We’re expecting a lot to happen over the next 48hrs and to keep you updated on the latest from Ultrabook-land, this post will summaries events as they happen. You’re welcome to add news links in the comments below.

It’s 0550 in San Francisco as we kick of this blog and the official Microsoft event gets under way at 0815 but there’s already things happening around the world. We’re not at a launch event but will summarise that for you below along with other Ultrabook-related news items.

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Aiming to get a lead on other touchscreen Ultrabooks, Acer has decided to launch the Acer Aspire S7 before Windows 8. We’re not expecting the model to be available in large volumes though as this sounds like a marketing move.

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Sony has officially announced two Ultrabooks this morning. The T11, an 11.6” Ultrabook and the T13 13.3” Ultrabook are based on Sandy Bridge platforms which will surprise many but given that these devices will effectively be ‘budget’ ultrathins for the company, it’s not surprising.

Update: Both Ultrabooks now in the database. Sony T11 Sony T13.

An official press release is up for the T13 on the Sony UK page but Slashgear are also reporting on the T11.

Specs for the T13 are below. Processor and storage options will be available. Prices are unknown at present. now show below.

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Let the Gaming begin! Using the Ultrabook branding, Samsung have officially announced two interesting Ultrabooks that extend the category in a number of directions. The Samsung Series 5 Ultrabooks will offer a larger screen option, terabyte storage and AMD HD7550M discreet graphics in some models.

Samsung Series 5 Ultrabooks launched in homeland, South Korea today.

The press release  introduces two models…

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One of Acer’s Middle East country managers might have just let-slip the timeline for the next generation of Ultrabooks with a statement to press that a “slightly redesigned” Acer Ultrabook will be launched with a “new platform from Intel” early next year.

The timeline beats estimates that Ivy Bridge Ultrabooks may not appear until the 2nd-half of the year.

“Acer… plans to launch the second generation of Aspire S3 early next year that is expected to help double its sales, Acer Middle East country manager Grigory Nizovsky said.”

“I think in April next year we are having a new slightly redesigned version of S3 with slight adjustment in outlook,”

If this is the case, expect a range of phase-2 Ultrabook launches in April 2012 although availability still could drag on into Q3 if Ivy Bridge production doesn’t ramp up quickly enough.

Source

Ritchie’s Room has revealed the new HP Folio Ultrabook (not Foleo!)

Update: The HP Folio aka DM3, is now in the database.

It’s a 13.3” business-focused affair with a similar look to the Toshiba Z835/Z830.

Available in Core i3 or Core i5 versions it should be available in December. Hop over to Ritchies Room to see the rear side-mounted ports including Ethernet, full-size SD card slot and full-size HDMI along with a nice looking keyboard – and backight. The screen is 1366×768.

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In a Fox News TV segment (embedded below) the Ultrabook gets a very important airing with Intel CEO Paul Otellini along with commentary that made me sit up and listen. In–line with an interview we did early in September [5 more Ultrabooks coming], Paul says that there will be 11 companies offering Ultrabooks this Christmas, including Sony.

OK, Let’s count them. We’ve got Acer, Asus, Lenovo and Toshiba on board already. We believe that HP will have an offering in 2011 too. Add the revelation that Sony will offer a solution and you’re left with 4 missing from the list. Let’s assume Intel are pushing the boundaries out to include the Samsung Series 9 and the LG Xnote. Where are the other two coming from? Choose from MSI, Gigabyte (we believe that’s a 2012 product) , Fujitsu, Dell (also believed to be a 2012 product), Packard Bell and possibly some re-brands.

Paul went on to say that there were 60 designs in the pipeline that will launch with Ivy Bridge. That’s something to look forward to in Q2/Q3 2012 but surely he means SKUs. I can’t see 60 different designs being launched. If they are we’re going to nee help with the Ultrabook database!

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My personal favorite in the current Ultrabook line-up, the Toshiba Z830, is said to be launching in the USA in late October according to a report by Taiwan News

Interestingly, the report suggests that the entry level model will use a 64GB SSD to keep the price down to $1000. Sales targets were also given at 60 to 70K by the end of the year. Presumably that’s shipped units rather than end-customer sales.

I’m visiting Toshiba Europe next week so will be able to bring you the latest from this part of the world too. WI’ll be hustling for a review model too so wish me luck!