Earlier today, HP announced a range of Windows devices, including the affordable Pavilion x2 convertible, and a trio of premium Envy notebooks. Now it's Toshiba's turn, which has unveiled its new laptops that will launch with Windows 10 onboard this summer.
The new devices include an interesting feature designed for Microsoft's next-generation operating system: they all include a dedicated hardware button for getting the attention of Cortana, the digital 'personal assistant' in Windows 10. The button takes over the function of F1 on the keyboard, while other Fn buttons are assigned to controls such as screen brightness and media playback.
The F1 button is most closely associated with accessing 'help' in Windows (or Windows applications), and with Microsoft integrating technical support with Cortana, this placement certainly seems to make some sense.
Toshiba introduced a wide range of notebooks today, from low-cost devices for the 'essentials' to fully-featured heavyweights with 4K displays.
Satellite S
Toshiba says that its Satellite S-series devices offer premium, slim styling with a 'sculpted aluminum design'. Highlights include:
- 15.6- or 17.3-inch display with HD+ (1600x900px), Full HD (1920x1080px) or 4K (3840x2160px) resolution
- NVIDIA graphics
- Optional dual-drive option with 1TB HDD and 128GB SSD
- Harman Kardon speakers
- Toshiba TruTalk dual-array microphones
- Available on July 29 from $719.99 (15.6-inch) and $874.99 (17.3-inch)
Satellite Radius
Toshiba claims that the Satellite Radius is "the first 2-in-1 convertible PC to offer 4K Ultra HD screen resolution. Key features include:
- 14-inch (Radius 14) and 15.6-inch (Radius 15) display
- Optional 4K (3840x2160px) display only available on the Satellite Radius 15
- Screen rotates through 360 degrees for different display modes
- TruTalk microphones
- Available on June 21 via Best Buy from $584.99 (Radius 14) and $842.99 (Radius 15)
Satellite Fusion
With a similar 360-degree hinge to the Radius, Toshiba says the Satellite Fusion "is a versatile laptop offering great value for every occasion". Highlights of the device include:
- 15.6-inch display (optional Full HD resolution)
- Latest Intel Core processors
- Up to 12GB RAM
- Up to 1TB storage
- LED-backlit keyboard
- 'Satin gold' finish
- Less than an inch thick
- HDMI-out with 4K output
- Onkyo speakers tuned by Skullcandy
- Available now from $649.99
Satellite C
It just wouldn't be a Windows party without at least some low-cost devices to talk about. Toshiba has come up with the goods, unveiling new C-series notebooks that are as big on value as they are in size. Key features include:
- 15.6- and 17.3-inch display
- 'Brushed resin black matte finish'
- Full-size keyboard with number pad
- TruTalk dual-array microphones
- Less than one-inch thick
- Designed for 'everyday essentials'
- Available on June 21 from $394.99
Satellite L
Sitting just a bit higher in Toshiba's range is the Satellite L-series, which the company describes as "thin, lightweight and stylish", although the 'Satin Gold Finish' may not be to everyone's tastes. The L-series includes:
- 15.6- or 17.3-inch IPS LCD (optional Full HD resolution)
- The latest Intel Core and AMD processor options
- Up to 16GB of RAM
- Up to 1TB storage
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi 802.11ac
- Speakers tuned by Skullcandy
- TruTalk dual-array microphones
- 15.6-inch model available on June 21 from $529.99
17.3-inch model available on July 29 from $569.99
What do you think of the dedicated Cortana button on the keyboard? Should more manufacturers do this, or is it a bit irrelevant with touchscreens and 'Hey Cortana' voice activation? Let us know your thoughts below!
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