Intel debuts Ultrabooks, with Anti-Theft service via Dick Smiths

Stuart Corner
Friday, 28 October 2011 13:53

Your IT - Home IT

Intel has formally launched in Australia its Ultrabook concept for super-thin laptop computers and has announced that Dick Smith will be the first company to offer the Intel Anti-Theft service that relies on hardware-level security features to enable a stolen or lost Ultrabook to be disabled.

Intel unveiled its Ultrabook strategy in May and there has been a stready stream of announcements from Intel since then. The first Ultrabook device to hit Australia, the Acer Aspire S3 has gone on sale in Australia and Asus is hold a press event to launch the "Ultra Era" on 8 November.

According to Intel the Anti-Theft Service takes advantage of intelligent hardware to lock down a lost or stolen laptop. "It works even if a thief reimages their hard drive, installs a new hard drive, changes the boot order or avoids connecting to the network."

 A lost or stolen laptop can be locked-down such that it does not boot by sending a notification over the Internet or by using intelligent hardware timers on the laptop. Laptop owners can display custom message on locked laptops facilitating return by good Samaritans and can revive the laptop to its full functionality by using their personal password.

'We are proud to be the first retailer in Australia to offer the Intel Anti-Theft Service that will provide our customers an opportunity to safeguard their Ultrabook systems,' said Debra Singh, general manager, Dick Smith. 'Protecting users' sensitive information, as well as the laptops themselves is paramount.'

Ultrabooks will go on sale in Dick Smith stores in Australia on 9 November with a  free subscription to the anti-theft service. From January it will cost $49.95 for two years.  Dick Smith stores in New Zealand will offer the service at a later date.

The anti-theft technology also enable users to encrypt data stored on the hard drive, and, according to Intel, because the encryption keys are stored in the hardware, the data cannot be extracted even if the disc is removed and installed in another machine.