Toshiba India launches Ivy Bridge-based Satellite laptops and ultrabook

Toshiba India has launched four new laptops in the country, apart from a new ultrabook, all part of the Satellite Series, and powered by 3rd Generation Intel Core processors (Ivy Bridge).

These are namely C Series (C840 & C850) laptops, L Series (L850) laptop, M Series (M840) laptop, and the new Satellite U840 ultrabook. According to Toshiba, the new range of laptops offer outstanding performance, superior HD entertainment and contemporary styling. All five devices will be hit retail shelves in India by the 3rd week of June.

Commenting at the launch of the 2012 Satellite series range, Mr. Sivakumar N., Vice President – Strategic Marketing, Product Management and Services - DS Division, Toshiba India Pvt. Ltd. said:

“Speed, Style, Performance, Superior Sound and HD integration, are some of the features that are on top of the purchase consideration parameters for the young laptop consumer today. Our new range of laptops offers a perfect amalgamation of these cutting edge features with exquisite form factor. With thinner and lighter profile and high-quality durable design, the new Satellite series is a testimony to our strong heritage of leading innovation. The new range offers faster, more powerful and smarter laptops, powered by latest 3rd Generation Intel Core processors, and is perfect for youthful consumers looking for more of everything.”

The new Satellite series range is equipped with Toshiba’s special BIOS technology which helps the devices boot roughly 30% faster than normal. In addition, the entire range features the Intel 7 series chipsets and integrates USB 3.0 for 10X faster data transfers, along with Bluetooth 4.0 for longer distance connectivity up to 50 meters.

To enhance the digital entertainment user experience, the entire range boasts of ‘Clear Super View’ display technology which delivers an enhanced picture quality display, well complimented by Toshiba’s Audio Enhancement option in the Satellite C series, SRS premium Sound HD™ in the Satellite L, M series and SRS Premium Sound 3D™ in Satellite U series. While the Toshiba Audio Enhancement option dynamically changes the sound equalizer to reduce distortion, the SRS premium Sound HD delivers immersive surround sound and a deep rich bass, ideal for listening to music, watching videos or playing games.

To up the users’ digital entertainment experience, the entire range comes equipped with a standard HDMI port, to effortlessly connect to a larger HD Televisions or to other HD devices. The new range also features High Definition webcam for more immersive and clear video and image sharing experience, adding a whole new dimension to the video sharing experience.

The new Satellite L, M and U series laptops also feature a USB Sleep-and-Charge port, which can charge users’ smart phone, MP3 player or other portable electronics integrating a USB port, even when the laptop is powered down.

Satellite U840: The Game Changer – Premium performance at Smart price

Designed in an aluminium and reinforced fibre glass chassis, the U840 consumer Ultrabook offers exquisite design and stylish exterior. The Toshiba U840 employs the hybrid drive technology with the integrated 32GB SSD coupled with a 500GB HDD. The hybrid technology dynamically improves the application response time and offers a powerful performance, along with faster system boot.

The U840, powered by latest 3rd Generation Intel core i5 processor, comes equipped with tile keyboards with LED backlighting, a large and easier-to-use ClickPad and USB 3.0 port for faster data transfers. Additional standard features include the SRS Premium Sound 3D sound enhancements, an HDMI port and a Lithium Polymer battery for a longer battery life. Dressed in an all-new, elegantly etched aluminium body in Ultra Silver color, this stylish and durable, Toshiba Satellite U840 is priced at Rs. 53,500.

Acer, Toshiba To Take On IPads With Windows 8 Tablets

Acer Inc., Toshiba Corp. (6502) and Asustek Computer Inc. (2357) will unveil tablets running Microsoft Corp.’s Windows 8 operating system next week, people with knowledge of the matter said, challenging the dominance of Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s iPad.

Acer will display a tablet based on Microsoft’s new software at the Computex show in Taipei, while Toshiba will show a tablet and a notebook-type device, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans haven’t been made public. Asustek will present tablets with detachable keyboards similar to its current Transformer model, the people said.

A tablet computer during the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg

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June 1 (Bloomberg) -- Gregory Bryant, general manager for Asia-Pacific at Intel Corp., talks about the outlook for the company's business in Asia and the personal-computer industry. Bryant spoke from the World Economic Forum on East Asia in Bangkok with Susan Li on Bloomberg Television's "First Up." (Source: Bloomberg)

A new Acer tablet computer in Las Vegas. Photographer: Peter Zschunke/DPA/Landov

The annual Computex show provides a forum for the computer industry to tout its wares before the typical increase in second-half demand. Computer makers allied with Microsoft (MSFT)will use this year’s event to highlight a long-awaited response to the iPad and machines that run Google Inc.’s Android operating system, which together have 91 percent of the tablet market.

Windows 8 also will be the first version of the software that will work on processors using ARM Holdings Plc (ARM)technology, a type of chip made by Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM),Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN) and Nvidia Corp. that dominates the phone industry. ARM-based chips, manufactured by Samsung Electronics Co., power the iPad.

The use of ARM-based chips marks a snub for Intel Corp. (INTC), which along with Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD)has been the exclusive provider of chips for Windows machines. Intel, which has more than 80 percent of the PC-chip market, hasn’t been able to parlay that dominance into market share in phones or tablets.

Asustek will demonstrate tablets based on an Nvidia ARM- based chip called Tegra and another powered by an Intel chip, the people said. The Tegra-based device, which is similar to the one that will go on sale, will be displayed publicly, setting up an opportunity for direct comparisons between a Windows computer running on ARM and one using Intel technology.

Tablet Sales

The Acer (2353) tablet is built around an Intel chip, while Toshiba is using Texas Instruments for its processors.

Microsoft plans to show off Asustek devices in a presentation by Vice President Steven Guggenheimer at the show on June 6, said one person familiar with the company’s plans.

The show provides the first airing of tablet hardware that Microsoft intends to use to narrow Apple’s lead in the tablet market. Sales of Windows PCs to consumers have slumped as buyers opt for tablets, making it critical for Microsoft to offer a compelling option in that category.

The tablet market is poised to grow 70 percent a year on average through 2015, according to estimates from Evercore Group LLC. Traditional notebooks will have an average annual growth rate of 8 percent. Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook predicted in January and reiterated this week that tablets will surpass PCs in terms of units sold.

Windows 8

The June 5-9 Taipei show will highlight a limited number of ARM-based devices as Microsoft seeks to ensure that when Windows 8 is released later this year, the products will stand up to comparisons with the iPad. The limited debut will be followed by a second wave of computer and phone makers lined up for next year, two of the people said.

Qualcomm, the world’s largest maker of mobile-phone chips, will demonstrate a test device running Windows 8 based on its Snapdragon processor, said a person familiar with its plans. The company is committed to having customer devices in the market when the new version of the software goes on sale, the person said.

Spokesmen for Microsoft, Asustek, Acer, Nvidia (NVDA), Intel and Texas Instruments declined to comment on their plans before announcements and demonstrations planned for next week.