Toshiba has had very few desktop PC models available in the U.S. for the past 10 years, but it has come back recently with its DX1215 and DX735 models, which were among last year's crop of touch-screen desktops. This year, Toshiba is releasing a pair of newly designed models, and we got a chance to look at one.
The Toshiba LX835 is a 23-inch, all-in-one desktop with a true 1080p HD (1,920-by-1,080) resolution touch screen. It improves on the previous model by using capacitive touch technology, an improvement over the infrared touch screen of the previous generation. Now the screen is totally seamless edge-to-edge, which makes the touch screen easier to use and easier to clean. The screen also supports up to 10 points of touch, matching a requirement for Microsoft's upcoming Windows 8 operating system. The system we looked at was running a preview version of Windows 8, and the screen responsiveness was as good as most modern smartphones and tablets with capacitive screens. The screen's colors and brightness matched what we've come to expect from Toshiba displays, bright and clear.
The LX835 uses an easel-style stand, which is simpler than the floating pedestal of the DX735. The system has recessed I/O ports on the left-hand side, including a media card slot and USB 3.0 ports. There's a TV tuner connection on the back for the high-end configuration, along with an IR blaster for compatibility with set-top boxes.
Other check boxes on the features list include a slot-loading Blu-ray drive, HDMI input port, third-generation Intel Core processors, up to 16GB of RAM, up to 3TB hard drives, and built-in Onkyo speakers with SRS premium sound. A wireless keyboard and mouse use a hidden micro-USB receiver. One of the USB ports is a USB sleep and charge port, which lets you charge your tablet or smartphone while the system is asleep or off. Toshiba's all-in-one desktops are rated EPEAT Gold and are Energy Star 5.0 compliant, so they're economical to run.
Toshiba's 21.5-inch LX815 starts at $599.99, and the 23-inch LX835 starts at 879.99. Look for both systems at Best Buy, online from e-tailers, and Toshiba.
Also today, Toshiba revamped its Satellite and Qosmio laptop lines.
