You may not be thinking of back-to-school shopping just yet, but Toshiba is ready with five lines of laptops that will reach retailers at the beginning of the third quarter.
The new portables will feature the latest Intel and AMD processors, including some configurations with Intel's third-generation Core or "Ivy Bridge" CPUs.
At the entry level ($400 to $550)—currently home of models like the Satellite C655-S5542—the Satellite C800 series adds formerly absent HDMI and USB 3.0 ports, as well as a 14-inch model to the existing 15.6- and 17.3-inch choices. A larger, recessed touchpad addresses what a Toshiba rep tells PCMag was consumers' number-one complaint - unintended mouse movement.
Moving up to the Satellite L800 series ($500 to $700) brings SRS Premium Sound HD to address consumers' second greatest concern, audio quality, as well as dual USB 3.0 ports with Toshiba's Sleep & Charge functionality to recharge handheld devices even when the laptop is powered down. Thinner than previous Satellite L models, the L800s feature a Fusion II plastic case finish with a new cross line pattern in a variety of colors. They, too, are available in three screen sizes.
A new Satellite S line (pictured) slots in between the L and P series, positioned as offering smart performance for $700 to $1,000 (or $50 to $100 under comparably equipped Satellite P systems). Featuring a brushed aluminum finish in Ice Blue, the three S800s offer Intel "Ivy Bridge" or AMD multicore Accelerated Processing Units with optional discrete ATI graphics; top-of-the-line configurations include a Blu-ray player.
Clad in a brushed aluminum body in Champagne Silver, the Satellite P800 laptops offer optional Nvidia GeForce 630M discrete graphics and available backlit keyboards. The Best Buy exclusives provide multiple USB 3.0 ports, Harman/Kardon speakers, and Sleep & Music technology that lets users power up their smartphones and enjoy music from their MP3 players while the laptop is powered down. A thin and light 14-inch model boasts a Blu-ray player. The Satellite P845 and P855 start at $800, with the P875 starting at $850.
Finally, Toshiba's Qosmio gaming and prosumer line drops its 15-inch and glasses-free 3D models in favor of two 17.3-inch systems, the X875 and X875 3D, which offer a choice of 1,600-by-900 or full 1080p HD displays. Third-generation Core processors provide the muscle, while Nvidia GeForce GTX 670M graphics with 3GB of GDDR5 memory tackle graphics-intensive apps and games. New Black Widow styling features a diamond-textured aluminum body and a glowing red Qosmio logo on the lid; quad USB 3.0 ports and available dual hard drives (with up to 2TB of storage) accompany four slots for up to 16GB of system RAM. Prices run from $1,299 to $2,499.
