Toshiba Announces KiraBook – First Windows PC Retina Challenger Laptop, Stronger Than MacBook

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Toshiba’s Digital Products Division today introduced KIRA, a new premium brand for consumers. The first device to launch under the brand is KIRAbook, an all-new Ultrabook featuring the company’s first ultra-high resolution PixelPure display and a striking new lightweight and compact design precision engineered with AZ91 pressed magnesium alloy which Toshiba says is stronger than the aluminum alloy Apple uses in its MacBooks. KIRAbook make its debut in the U.S. market in early May.

“At the core of the KIRA brand are products derived from inspired engineering,” says Carl Pinto, vice president of marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. “Products that will carry the KIRA name will be more than a collection of the latest hardware technologies, but a statement of craftsmanship, fit and finish, and features built for the consumer’s benefit, not technology’s sake.”

A Sensory Experience

KIRAbook is the first laptop from Toshiba to feature the ultra-high resolution, factory color-calibrated PixelPure display. With a native resolution of 2560 x 1440, KIRAbook delivers 221 pixels per inch to the device’s 13.3-inch diagonal display – 90-percent greater than standard HD displays – resulting in razor-sharp clarity for text and a crystal clear view of photos, movies, games and more, and offered in both standard and touchscreen display configurations. KIRAbook’s touchscreen models utilize Corning Concore Glass, which offers damage resistance and a smooth, 10-point multi-touch surface to navigate the Windows 8 experience. To complement the display’s broad range of colors, KIRAbook also includes Adobe’s Photoshop Elements 11 and Premiere Elements 11 software, so photo and video enthusiasts can master their creations quickly and seamlessly

KIRAbook’s sound system also offers a luxurious listening experience. Equipped with high-quality stereo speakers by Harman Kardon, a leader in premium audio, and complemented by audio processing by DTS, KIRAbook marks an achievement in high-fidelity sound quality in the thin-and-light category.

KIRAbook is the only Ultrabook of its kind to be constructed with AZ91 pressed magnesium alloy and a honeycomb-base. Claimed to be over 100 percent stronger than the A6063 aluminum alloy used in the Macbook Air, use of AZ91 enables KIRAbook to maintain lightness with a styling edge. A manufacturing technique commonly used in aerospace engineering, honeycomb reinforcement is applied to key pressure point areas of the device such as the palm rest area to achieve a higher grade of durability and rigidity.

On the inside, KIRAbook features Toshiba’s AirFlow II technology, a thin multi-phase fan cooling system, as well as a stabilizing hinge that increases the resilience of the lid when opening and closing the laptop and reduces screen bounce for touchscreen use. A high-capacity Li-Polymer battery is incorporated to let users work unplugged throughout the day with a long battery life rating, while a 256GB Solid State Drive and 8GB of 1600 MHz memory produce fast and responsive performance. KIRAbook is powered by 3rd generation Intel Core processors.

KIRAbook features clean lines and elegantly rounded edges, with a starting weight of a scant 2.6-pounds and stands at an ultra-slim 0.7 inches, fitting its 13.3-inch display into an extremely compact body. The design also includes a frameless LED backlit keyboard.

KIRAbook comes standard with Toshiba’s Platinum Service & Support, turning owners into Toshiba VIPs. Customers will enjoy premium perks, including a two-year warranty, 24×7 phone support, plus access to dedicated U.S.-based agents, rapid repair, set-up assistance, annual tune-ups and more at no additional cost.

KIRAbook also features a complimentary two-year subscription to a custom suite of industry-leading security products from Symantec, including Norton Internet Security, Norton Anti-Theft and Norton Online Backup, providing 25GB of online storage.

The KIRAbook will be available for pre-order on May 3, 2013 and for purchase on May 12 at Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Microsoft Store, B&H and Adorama, and direct from Toshiba at ToshibaDirect.com.

Three configurations will be available ranging from $1,599.99 MSRP8 to $1,999.99 MSRP8, featuring Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processors.

Product page:
http://us.toshiba.com/kira/#homePage

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