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Windows 10 will be released on July 29 and with it will be a slew of new laptop options ready to make the most of Microsoft’s latest operating system.
For its part, consumer-electronics giant Toshiba is marking the launch with refreshes to its mainstream Satellite laptops, which includes traditional clamshell designs and two-in-one convertibles.
Enhancing the Windows 10 experience for all the new models, Toshiba added dual-array microphones, important for using Microsoft’s virtual assistant, Cortana, and a discrete key to summon Cortana with a single button press.
Toshiba Back To School Laptops (pictures)
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According to a Toshiba representative, 15.6-inch laptops have been and continue to be very popular with buyers and the lineup bears this out. If you were looking for a superthin or superlight Toshiba laptop to take back to school, you won’t find one in this batch.
That’s not to say these Satellites are all big and clunky, but most of them are designed to spend more time at home or in the office and less time traveling around.
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The entry-level Satellite C Series, for example, weighs in at just less than 5 pounds (2.2kg) and is a touch less than inch thick (23.6mm). It will be available in 15.6- and 17.3-inch versions with 1,366×768-pixel resolutions. Configurations will feature AMD processors up to an A8 and Intel chips up to Core i5 will be available and paired with up to 8GB of system memory and hard-drive storage up to 1TB.
Other features include USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports, a full-size HDMI output, an SD card slot and a DVD SuperMulti drive and for wireless connections you’ll get 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Pricing starts at about $395. It will be available on June 21 with Windows 8.1 preinstalled, but is eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 10.
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Those looking for a bit more of everything can step up to the Satellite L Series. It’s the same size and weight as the C Series and also available in 15.6- and 17.3-inch screen sizes, but can be configured with a full HD display using an IPS panel for better off-angle viewing. Processors go up to Intel Core i7 backed by up to 16GB of RAM. HDMI output with 4K support, 802.11ac Wi-Fi and a backlit keyboard are configuration options, as well.
Additional bump-ups include two, USB 3.0 ports and audio tuned by headphone-maker Skullcandy. You can look for the 15.6-inch models in stores on June 21, starting at $530. The 17.3-inch version will run you $570 when it lands on July 29.
Building from there is the premium Satellite S Series. Slightly thinner and with an aluminum enclosure (the L and C have textured-resin bodies), this line comes in 15.6- and 17.3-inch screen sizes, too, but in resolutions of 4K Ultra HD (3,840×2,160), full HD (1,920×1,080) or HD+ (1,600×900).
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The other components improve also: fifth-gen Intel Core i7 quad-core and dual-core processors; discrete Nvidia GeForce GTX 950M graphics with 2GB or 4GB of memory; and 2TB hard drive or 1TB hard drive with a 128GB solid-state drive. Harman Kardon tuned the audio system for the S Series to reduce distortion and an LED backlit keyboard comes standard.
The Toshiba Satellite S Series comes to retail on July 29 starting at $720 for the 15.6-inch model and $875 for the 17.3-inch model.
Joining these clamshells are two fresh Windows 10 two-in-ones: the Satellite Fusion and Satellite Radius.
The Satellite Fusion is basically the aforementioned L Series with a 360-degree rotating screen, so it can be used as a laptop or tablet or anything in between. Configurations will have up to fifth-gen Intel Core i7 processors, up to 12GB of RAM and up to a 1TB hard drive or a 128GB solid-state drive.
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You’ll get a multitouch IPS display (1,366×768 or 1,920×1,080); Onkyo stereo speakers tuned by Skullcandy and an LED backlit keyboard.
The Satellite Radius comes in 14- and 15.6-inch versions. Like the Fusion, its two-axis hinge allows the screen to rotate 360 degrees. The Radius ups the ante with a thinner, lighter design and the option to get a 4K-resolution screen on the Radius 15.
The Fusion is available now starting at $650. The Satellite Radius 14 and Radius 15 will be available June 21 exclusively at Best Buy and BestBuy.com, starting at $585 and $843, respectively.
