EL SEGUNDO – Global ultrabook shipments are expected to soar to 136.5 million units in 2015, up from less than 1 million in 2011, a massive level of growth that will have major repercussions for the global electronics supply chain, says IHS iSuppli.

Backed by Intel Corp. and other major players in the PC business, ultrabooks are less than 0.8" in thickness. Ultrabooks are targeted to be priced at less than $1,000, although most of the early models are more expensive.

One major semiconductor winner in the ultrabook sweepstakes will be the sensor, including devices based on microelectromechanical system technology, says IHS.

Ultrabook shipments are expected to account for 42% of the notebook market by 2015, representing a major growth opportunity for MEMS.

Ultrabooks will act as a detriment to the market for DRAM modules – particularly those used for memory upgrades, the firm notes.

“The vast majority of Ultrabooks now shipping have DRAM chips soldered directly onto the motherboard,” said Clifford Leimbach, memory demand forecasting analyst at IHS. “This helps to achieve an extra-thin design by eliminating the additional PCB traditionally used in notebook PCs required for support of a DRAM module. However, this also eliminates the need for a traditional small outline dual inline memory module DRAM module.”

The ultrabook in 2015 is expected to reduce the number of upgrade notebook PC modules shipped by 13.5%, amounting to some 10.8 million units.

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