Intel promises $599 touchscreen ultrabooks by year's end

Intel has released a new, low-power Core processor for ultrabooks and pledged that touchscreen ultrabooks will be available for as low as $599 by the end of the year.

Ultrabooks are Intel's effort to breathe new life into the laptop market with thinner and lighter designs. They haven't been selling like hot cakes, in part because of price, so Monday's developments could help change that.

Intel originally said the new Core processor would come later this year and consume about 10 watts of power. On Monday it said it is ready to release the chip now and that it consumes as little as 7 watts, enabling thinner designs and longer battery life.