The first Ultrabooks are just hitting the market, but the next generation of the super-svelte laptops are being developed. Intel plans on next year's models coming with its new Ivy Bridge processors, as well as a significant upgrade to their displays.

While new Ultrabooks like the Acer Aspire S3 feature 13.3-inch screens with 1,366x768 resolution, Ivy Bridge Ultrabooks are making a huge jump to 2,560x1,400, which would be "retina quality" and blow away the current MacBook Air resolutions (1,366x768 or 1,440x900). The 1080p-plus HD resolution, and 16:9 aspect ratio would be perfect for watching movies, if not as ideal for productivity apps. As VR-Zone points out, some of those the 3.5-million-plus pixels will go wasted for software that would make better use of a 16:10 aspect ratio.

Nonetheless, the significantly higher resolution will put pressure on Apple to finally bring a retina display to the MacBook Air. Couple that with the Ivy Bridge chips, and Ultrabooks may start turning the heads of skeptical laptop buyers just yet.

[Image: VR-Zone]