DigiTimes reports notebook makers are expected to introduce transforming ultrabooks with touchscreens in July or August 2012. This includes Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo. Most systems will feature a rotatable screen that turn the ultrabook into a tablet, while some may use sliding screens to achieve the same results.
In order to match Windows 8's touch functions, notebook vendors plan to offer touch ultrabooks, but the addition of touch functions will result in 0.7-1.5cm increase in thickness and higher production cost. To solve the problems, vendors will launch models with transforming designs as early as July-August 2012, according to sources from the notebook supply chain.
Notebook hinge makers pointed out that with the existing clamshell designs of ultrabooks, the panel could easily move around while users are operating through a touchscreen, but if they strengthen the hinge's torque, it could easily flip up the bottom part of the notebook. As a result, the vendors will need to adopt a transforming design to allow touch screen functions to work.
