Intel announced at CES 2013 that all next-generation Haswell-based "Ultrabook" branded systems will be required to have a touchscreen. The chip giant also revealed that it believes that ultrabooks (with touch functionality) may slip under the $599 price point by the end of the year.
In other words, for OEMs less than enthusiastic about touch displays for laptops, you will be forced to either begrudgingly add touch or may be bumped down the supply ladder when it comes to Intel's latest and greatest upcoming Ultrabook-aimed chip -- the new 22 nm architecture Haswell (a "tock" release).
Thus Intel appears to be following an approach similar to Microsoft's with Windows 8 -- shoving innovation down the throat of the market.
