Dubai: Acer unveiled the world's thinnest ultrabook - S5 - an ultra-slim device that measures only 15 mm at the maximal point.

Ultrabooks are compact and ultra-slim laptops packed in small frames. They're simply less expensive versions of MacBook Air machines that use flash storage and boot up in 10 seconds or less. The ultrabooks, retain their efficiency by utilising low-power Intel CULV processors with integrated graphics and solid-state drives.

"The ultrabook is much more than just a product segment. It's a new trend that will become the mainstream for mobile PCs, and customers will see the unique features gradually extended across Acer's notebook family," Grigory Nizovsky, country manager at Acer Middle East.

Acer said that tests show that Ivy Bridge processors can provide more than a 20 per cent CPU performance improvement over Sandy Bridge, and 30 per cent better graphics performance.

The device includes a 13.3-inch LCD display, an Onyx Black brushed magnesium-alloy cover and palm rest, and weighs 1.3 kilos.

The back of the ultrabook has a special mechanism that Acer is calling "MagicFip I/O," where the HDMI, USB 3.0, and Thunderbolt (20Gbps) ports are located. Pressing the MagicFlip key opens the port cover panel, thus exposing the aforementioned ports.

The ultrabook will also come with Acer's Green Instant On technology, which allows for fast boot and resume from sleep within 1.5 seconds. It will also extend the battery life in sleep mode to up to 50 days standby.

Acer's first entry into the ultrabook space was the S3.

"By the second quarter, Acer is expected to unveil four new ultrabooks, he said, including the 14- and 15-inch models. That will expand with the release of Windows 8," Nizovsky said.

The product will be available next month with a price tag of Dh4,999.