Vizio CT15-A1 Ultrabook: Intel Core i5-3317U 1.7GHz, 4GB DDR3, 128GB SSD, 15.6" 1920 x 1080 Full HD Display, USB 3.0, Win 7 Prem $600 + Free Shipping!

Quote from hasassin : is it just me, or is the ultrabook category just staying in the same range... my theory is that intel has realized that their processors have finally reached the point where for the average user - internet browsing/ video/ word (80 percent of people) the entire i series is fast enough.

Ultrabooks aren't really about the processor. They're about the form factor.
Core2DUO was fast enough and is still fast enough, so what?

Quote : so poor intel will have a decreased market share unless they can change up the game.

Intel simply has done part of the platform engineering up front and came out with guidelines for manufacturers. A laptop manufacturer is free to use Intel's chips and not to call their laptop an Ultrabook.

Quote : - so they came up with ultrabook category, and have been keeping prices steadily above 600 dollars - they NEVER GET CHEAPER.... i mean comon.... seriosly even a VIZIO is FP at 600 dollars

Well, miniaturization and packaging does have its price. If you don't care about it, there are plenty of laptops under $600 for you to consider.

Quote : while about 2 years ago before the whole ultrabook craze i bought a toshiba portege for 500 dollars (with a first gen i5)

Was your Toshiba an ultrabook? Just saying that you bought a Portege for $500 2 years ago with i5 doesn't tell a lot.

Quote : but now, i havnt seen an ultrabook on fp for under 550 in over a year... prices arnt getting cheaper - not cool - i do not need a third generation i5 - nor do 80 percent of people!

Well, the reason they're not getting down is because ultrabooks are configured as premium products - good screens, SSD, slender chassis, back-lit keyboards, large batteries, etc...
The real question is - if they make a cheap ultrabook, without a lot of these options, would anybody buy it?

Maybe, a better way to ask your question is that why nobody makes a lower end laptops with form factors similar to ultrabooks?
My guess here is that these will cannibalize sales of ultrabooks too much.... sort of like Netbooks did. I could be wrong though.