Apple is launching the next generation of its ground-breaking tablet computer just as its main adversaries are releasing their first such devices.

The first time I combined the ideas I had been developing into a single entity, I was working on an IBM 1130, a "third-generation" computer.

But lately there have been rumors that computer makers are having trouble putting these together for less than $1, 000 so the ramp of these first-generation Ultrabook may be slower than anticipated.