CES 2012: Intel Expects Ultrabook, Ultralight Barrage to Battle Apple

Intel, the world's largest semiconductor maker, will send its biggest gun, CEO Paul Otellini, to the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Tuesday night, where he is to deliver a keynote address.

Before that, several more of the Santa Clara, Calif.-based chipmaker's customers are expected to announce new slim, lightweight laptops based on either the new Ultrabook chip that went into mass production last quarter, or the older i5 core processor that preceded it a year earlier.

On Monday, Hewlett-Packard, the world's biggest PC maker, introduced its Envy 14 Spectre, a 14-inch ultralight laptop with the Ultrabook chip. Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics showed its new Series 9 laptop, with a 13-inch or 15-Inch screen, based on the older Intel model.

Earlier, two more customers, Asus of Taiwan and Lenovo Group of China both announced new Ultrabook laptops. More are expected to be unveiled as the CES opens officially Tuesday from vendors such as Dell, the No. 2 U.S. maker; Acer of Taiwan; Toshiba, Sony and NEC of Japan.

In a keynote address to the CES on Monday night, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer hailed the new Ultrabooks as a means of making computing more affordable and user friendly for consumers.

All of Intel's customers are seeking to copy some of the success rival Apple has had with its Macbook Air ultralightweight portable chips which are usually priced higher than Intel-based machines.

Apple, based in Cupertino, Calif., refrains from participating in the CES. Instead, it holds its own MacWorld expositions in San Francisco where top executives showcase products and meet with developers.

Intel shares closed Monday at $25.47, up 22 cents, not far below their 52-week high of $25.78