Toshiba Updates Chromebook 2 with 5th-Gen Intel Processors and Backlit Keyboard

Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced the successor to its Chromebook 2, now available with Skylake 5th-Gen Intel Core i3 or Celeron processors and up to 4GB of RAM (1). The quicker CPUs deliver better performance for loading content-rich webpages quickly, providing video playback and lively multitasking. Both models come with a new LED backlit keyboard for getting more done in low light environments.

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“As more people use Chromebooks for productivity and rely more often on the web for content creation and entertainment, devices need to be better equipped for these higher processing demands and built with hardware features that optimize Chrome OS,” says Philip Osako, senior director of product marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. “With the launch of our latest Chromebook 2 models, Toshiba delivers brilliant performance for an outstanding experience on and off the Web with entertainment-inspired hardware features that make the most of Chrome OS and enable customers to get things done faster wherever their Chromebook 2 takes them.”

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The Toshiba Chromebook 2 features a 13.3-inch diagonal Full HD (1920 x 1080) display (2) with IPS technology claied to deliver sharpened color reproduction and accuracy, plus wider, more accurate viewing capabilities. Engineered to fit a 13.3-inch display in a 12-inch body and lightweight at 2.9 pounds (virtually the same as the 2.96 pound 13-inch MacBook Air), the new Chromebook 2 features front-facing stereo speakers tuned for quality and attitude by the audio experts at Skullcandy, a leading audio headphone provider and lifestyle brand. On-board dual array microphones and an HD webcam are also included to enable video chats.

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The claimed battery life rating is 8.5-hours for both models(3), which compares unfavorably with the 13-inch MacBook Air’s nominal 12-hour battery runtime, but is in the ballpark with the closer-in-priceiPad Air 2. Toshiba Chromebooks also come equipped with 802.11ac Wi-Fi and a range of ports, including one USB 3.0 port, one USB 2.0 port, HDMI output, an SD Card slot and a security lock slot. Plus, Chromebook customers get 100GB of Google Drive Storage (4), 90-days of free unlimited music streaming on Google Play, 12 in-air passes for Gogo Internet and more all included with the device.

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The new Toshiba Chromebook 2 will be available for purchase starting in October 2015 at major retailers, e-tailers and on http://toshiba.com/us, for $329.99 MSRP5 for Intel Celeron model and $429.99 MSRP for the Intel Core i3 model.

For more information, visit:
http://toshiba.com/us/computers/laptops/chromebook-2

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