The makers of the world’s first mass-market laptop are delivering another world first, with the first 4K laptop screen coming to a 15 inch desktop replacement shortly.
We’re beginning to see 4K Ultra HD TVs penetrate shopfronts, but you’re also about to see the same resolution grace computers for the first time, and Toshiba is doing it before other manufacturers, beating out the Retina-introduction by none other than Apple.
Australians will be able to see the 4K screen on one laptop, specifically the Toshiba Satellite P50t-B, a 15.6 inch laptop sporting an Intel Core i7 fourth-generation processor running all four cores, 16GB RAM, 1TB hard drive with an 8GB solid-state drive caching, and an AMD Radeon R9 running 2GB of memory.
It’s a pretty impressive system, and given the UHD resolution on offer — which we’re also see is being called “4k2k” as a reference to its close to 4000×2000 res (3840×2160) — will pack in more pixels than any other currently available machine, and even support touch through the display.
A pixel clarity of 282 pixels per inch puts the Toshiba screen well above that of even Apple’s Retina-grade MacBook Pro 13 and 15 inch models, which both sit at 220 pixels per inch. It’s not a massive increase, but it’s enough, and shows some screen superiority as far as laptops are concerned, at least for the mean time.
We’re not sure how many will be keen to carry around a 15.6 inch machine, but given the specs, Toshiba’s 4K P50t seems slated to be a true desktop replacement, especially with a built-in Blu-ray burner, four USB 3.0 ports, WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit wired networking port, sound by Harman/Kardon, and even an HDMI port capable of sending out 4K video.
Pricing for the P50t-B comes in at $2499 in Australia, and be warned, there are two other Satellite P50 models, with the regular P50t bringing a Core i7, Windows 8.1, a 15.6 inch Full HD screen, 8GB RAM, and 1TB storage for $1499, while a similar model to the P50t brings the same specs but also a touchscreen for an extra $300 ($1799).
The 4K machine isn’t the only new laptop on Toshiba’s slate, with a new 15.6 inch Satellite for people who want something great, but don’t necessarily need the best in class. The S50 (above) is one of those models, delivering an aluminium look with between either an HD (1366×768) or Full HD (1920×1080) display depending on the model you need, AMD processing, USB 3.0 ports, and DVD burners for people who still need them.
There are a few models in this range, with the S40 starting it off at $999, the S50 ranging from $1399 to $1499, and the better spec’d S70 coming in at $1899.
And even Toshiba’s Kirabook range is getting a change, and this one is an interesting one, namely because the Kira is receiving not just a price drop, but also a slight spec drop.
Originally built to tell the world that Toshiba still has what it takes to make something brilliant and revolutionary, the PixelPure WQHD screen based relying on the 2560×1440 resolution isn’t going to be the only screen on new Kirabooks.
Even though the inclusion of that amazeballs screen was the reason for the creation of the Kirabook, Toshiba will also be selling a less expensive version of the Kirabook for $1599, packing in much of the same technology — Intel Core i5 processor, 256GB SSD, magnesium alloy casing, etc — but switching out the screen for a HD 1366×768 screen.
This change means the display is getting a reduction in quality, but it’s one that could also affect battery life, with Toshiba telling us the new HD-only Kira could conceivably deliver up to 14 hours of life with an Intel Core i5 processor.
It’s pretty impressive, though it does come without the amazeballs screen we liked about the Kira in its original incarnation.
Meanwhile, all the other Kira models will be updated to fourth-gen Intel processors, so if you still demand a higher resolution, that can still be accommodated for, with prices ranging from $2099 to $2499.
Toshiba’s “white glove” service has also been taken away from the Kira, with the company citing that it “found that customers that purchased Kirabook did not actually require the additional services,” which included on-site service, a support line just for owners of the Kira, and two year warranty.
