Samsung is launching the Series 5 Ultra, an "Ultrabook" with an optical drive. It's got an Intel Core i5 processor, HDMI and ethernet ports, SSD storage and an attractive aluminum casing.
At 14" across, 20.9mm thick, and weighing 4 pounds, however, it does not meet Intel's original specifications for that description.
It's as if there's a process by which marketing slowly loses sync with reality:
1. The MacBook Air is seen to conquer all.
2. Intel formalizes the sweet spot in computing that it represents, and brands it Ultrabook.
3. Some Ultrabooks are very good and the branding play gets some traction.
4. ????
5. Samsung starts branding refrigerators Ultrabooks.
The Series 5 Ultra looks for all the world like a decent laptop, of course, if you need an optical drive. Coming soon:
