Toshiba Satellite A660, L670, L650 and C650 debut

Toshiba have announced a refresh to their Satellite notebook range, including four new models each with a multimedia bent.  Top end is the Toshiba Satellite A660, with a choice of Core i3, i5 or i7 processors, a 16-inch LED-backlit 1366 x 768 display and up to 640GB HDD/8GB RAM.  However there are also Satellite L670, L650 and C650 models which offer more affordable computing.

The Satellite L670 and L650 have 17.3-inch and 15.6-inch displays respectively, and get a choice of Core i3, Core i5 or AMD processors paired with up to 4GB of RAM and up to 500GB HDD.  Some models also have discrete AMD Mobility Radeon HD 5145 512MB graphics.  Connectivity includes HDMI, WiFi b/g/n and eSATA.

Right down at the budget end is the 15.6-inch Satellite C650, expected to hit UK shelves priced at £350 or thereabouts ($541).  That gets a Core i3, Pentium or AMD processor, up to 4GB of RAM and up to 500GB HDD; graphics are either courtesy of an Intel HD or ATI shared GPU.  There's also WiFi b/g/n, USB and a DVD drive.

Toshiba have packed the machines with various multimedia abilities, including pre-loading BBC iPlayey and throwing on DLNA media streaming to networked HDTVs, digital photo frames and consoles (the latter only on the L670, L650 and A660).

Press Release:

Designed to make the everyday easier: Toshiba adds three new models to the Satellite laptop range

London, UK, 16th April 2010 – Toshiba UK today announces the addition of three new models to its Satellite laptop series – the Satellite L670, Satellite L650 and Satellite C650. Designed to offer stylish and affordable computing, the new models boast a range of additional features created to enhance day to day use, from easily organising documents to accessing content from the web.

The Satellite L670 and L650 models both feature a new, slimline design, complemented by an eye-catching, slick gloss black finish, while the Satellite C650 features a textured matt finish. Each model offers a dedicated numeric keypad for added convenience, while a flat keyboard design provides additional accuracy and comfort when typing. New speaker designs are also more prominent, for a more stylish overall look.

The Satellite L670 and L650 are desktop replacement laptops offering users a range of multimedia capabilities, while the Satellite C650 is a more affordable alternative, providing excellent performance without compromising on style. As well as first class hardware, a selection of premium software applications on all three laptops provide users with easy-to- use tools for organising personal documents or enjoying content online.

Toshiba's LifeSpace software application takes advantage of Windows 7's simplicity, featuring an intuitive 'Bulletin Board' that allows users to create a virtual pin-board for quickly

Toshiba announces new multimedia Satellite laptops

All models feature a thinner, streamlined chassis and additional numeric keypads Each laptop ships with a BBC iPlayer desktop icon and Toshiba LifeSpace as standard accessing favourite files, post it notes, reminders or links. Another function within LifeSpace is 'ReelTime,' which accelerates file searching by automatically creating a pictoral timeline of recently used documents or folders. The Satellite range also includes a dedicated BBC iPlayer desktop icon, providing users with instant access to their favourite BBC programmes at a time that suits them. Finally, a selection of Nero software will come pre-installed on the new Satellite laptops, allowing users to back up valuable data, and easily burn and copy data to CDs or DVDs.

An additional feature, Toshiba Media Controller, helps users to share and stream photos, videos or music between connected DLNA capable devices in an easy and intuitive way. The Toshiba Media Controller Plug-In for Internet Explorer will also be pre-installed on the Satellite L670 and L650 which allows users to stream Flash videos from YouTube directly to DLNA® compatible television sets. Each of the laptops also feature Dolby Advanced Audio, a new feature designed to help boost and restore the high frequencies that are usually lost due to MP3 compression or the physical limitations of a laptop.

Powerful hardware, outstanding features and an eye-catching design

The Satellite L670 is the perfect desktop replacement for those looking for an affordable laptop with a powerful specification. Working with multimedia content is simple thanks to the latest Intel or AMD processors, allowing users to watch high definition video, transfer music files or edit digital photographs with ease. The Satellite L670 features a 43.9cm (17.3)" HD LED backlit high definition screen, making videos, images and web content burst with vivid colour and perfect clarity.

An ideal match for families, students or those looking for an affordable laptop without compromising on style or performance, the Satellite L650 features a 39.6cm (15.6") LED backlit screen, up to 500GB HDD storage space and the latest Intel processors for fast computing. Furthermore, both the Satellite L670 and L650 will feature Resolution+, a picture processing technology designed to improve the contrast, colour and sharpness levels in DVD images, upscaling standard definition content to near high definition quality.

The Satellite C650 is ideal for those looking for an affordable laptop with a wide selection of features that make home computing easier than ever. The Satellite C650's 43.9cm (15.6") HD screen is perfect for everyday computing tasks, such as web browsing or watching videos. Available with a choice of processors including Intel's Core i3 series, the Satellite C650 also packs a selection of additional features including SD and MMC card compatibility, an integrated Web Camera (model dependent) and up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM for truly impressive value.

Specification details – Satellite L670 and Satellite L670*

CPU: Intel® Core i5, Intel® Core i3 and latest AMD processors Microsoft® Windows 7 Home Premium RAM: up to 4 GB DDR3 (1066 MHz) 2.5" HDD up to 500 GB

GPU: up to ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5145 with 512MB VRAM (model dependent) 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x eSATA/ USB combo port, Multi-Card reader, HDMI WLAN (802.11 b/g/n) 10-digit numeric keypad, Multi-Touch Pad

Toshiba Media Controller Toshiba LifeSpace VGA Web camera with Toshiba Face Recognition DVD Super Multi drive

Satellite L650

39.6cm (15.6") TruBrite® HD display with LED backlighting (16:9)

Satellite L670

43.9cm (17.3”) TruBrite® HD display with LED backlighting (16:9)

Specification details – Satellite C650*

CPU: Intel® Core i3, Intel® Pentium and latest AMD processors Microsoft® Windows 7 Home Premium RAM: up to 4 GB DDR3 (1066 MHz) 2.5” HDD up to 500 GB

39.6cm (15.6”) TruBrite® HD display (16:9) GPU: Intel HD graphics or ATI Shared graphics 2 x USB 2.0, Multi-Card Reader WLAN (802.11 b/g/n) 10-digit numeric keypad, Multi-Touch Pad

DVD-Super Multi drive Toshiba Media Controller Toshiba LifeSpace VGA Web Camera with Face Recognition (model dependent), microphone

Press Release:

The Satellite A660 – Toshiba's new stylish multimedia laptop

London, UK, 16th April 2010 – Toshiba UK today launches a new 40.6cm (16") multimedia laptop combining style with power – the Satellite A660. Following the award-winning Satellite A500, the Satellite A660 features a powerful specification ideal for running power hungry programmes, housed in a new, slimmer chassis.

In line with all new Toshiba Satellite laptops, the Satellite A660 features an updated and improved keyboard design. Alongside the dedicated numeric keypad, the laptop now features a tiled keyboard for more comfortable typing, which is complemented by a larger touchpad offering Multi-Touch Control for easier navigation. The keyboard comes in a matt black finish, contrasting with the textured design for a premium look and feel.

New, stylish entertainment system features Intel Core Series processing for superb multimedia performance

Offers Dolby Advanced Audio and Toshiba Media Controller New design option for the Satellite P500 also announced

Making the most of multimedia

A choice of Intel Core Series processors are available on the Satellite A660, allowing users to edit multimedia content, play high definition games and run resource-intensive programmes more efficiently, while requiring less power.

The Satellite A660 is also packed with a selection of additional features to enhance everyday use. As well as dedicated multimedia controls above the keyboard, the Satellite A660 offers Toshiba's Media Controller application, making it easy for users to access content on Windows 7 Certified DNLA devices, including a selection of Toshiba's REGZA LCD TVs.

A Toshiba Media Controller Plug-In for Internet Explorer is also pre-installed on all Satellite A660 models, allowing users to stream Flash videos from YouTube directly to DLNA®- compatible television sets. The Satellite A660 is also the first Toshiba laptop in the UK to feature Intel® Wireless Display technology, allowing users to wirelessly stream videos and music from the laptop to a wireless display-enabled TV set, using a Wi-Fi connection.

A range of software is featured on the Satellite A660 to enhance the way users access content, whether stored on the 640GB HDD or online. Toshiba's LifeSpace is an intuitive application designed to help users manage, find and save their documents. 'Bulletin Board' allows users to create a virtual pin-board for quickly accessing favourite files, post it notes, reminders and links, while 'ReelTime' accelerates file searching by automatically adding shortcuts to a visual timeline of recently used documents or folders. A dedicated BBC iPlayer desktop icon provides users with instant access to their favourite BBC programmes at a time that suits them, and a selection of Nero software applications are also pre-installed, allowing users to back up valuable data, and easily burn and copy data to CDs or DVDs.

USB Sleep-and-Music – enjoy music in sleep mode

The Satellite A660 is the among the first Toshiba models to include USB Sleep-and-Music – a new feature that enables users to play music from a connected MP3 player through the laptop's integrated Harman Kardon speakers when the laptop is in Sleep or Stand By mode. Further, the Satellite A660 includes new Dolby Advanced Audio technology, boosting audio projection and restoring the high frequencies that are usually lost due to MP3 compression or the physical limitations of a laptop.

To match the sound quality, the Satellite A660 also includes advanced Resolution+ picture processing – Toshiba's proprietary image enhancement technology. Already featured in Toshiba's REGZA range of LCD TVs, Resolution+ is designed to improve the contrast, colour and sharpness levels in DVD images, upscaling standard definition content to near high definition quality. Combined with the laptop's advanced audio abilities, Resolution+ processing ensures that the Satellite A660 provides excellent multimedia performance across the board.

The new, improved Satellite P500

In addition to the new Satellite A660, Toshiba has also revamped the existing Satellite P500 entertainment PC with the launch of a new and striking 'Blast' design. Running across the outer lid and keyboard area, the new design perfectly complements the laptop's high- performance specification – with Intel Core i Series processors, dedicated graphics, Blu-ray playback1 and a 46.7cm (18.4") Full HD screen all combining to provide premium multimedia performance.

Specification details – Satellite A660

40.6cm (16") TruBrite HD LED backlit screen, 1366 x 768 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processors Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit

Up to 640GB HD Up to 8GB Memory Blu-ray or DVD Super Multi drive nVidia dedicated graphics (1GB or 512MB) Bluetooth Wireless 802.11 b/g/n 4 x USB (1 x eSATA/USB with USB Sleep-and-Charge & Sleep-and-Music) 1 xHDMI, 5 in 1 Card Reader Resolution+ Eco Utility tool Weight: 2.9kg HD Webcam

1 Blu-ray player available on certain models.

The Satellite A660 will be available from June 2010.