LG Launches Its First 3D Notebook

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By Kevin Parrish
published

This month LG is launching two notebooks with built-in support for 3D. Unfortunately, they require the use of nerdy polarized glasses.

LG is reportedly launching its very first 3D-capable notebook called the LG Xnote A530 3D Notebook. The device is slated to arrive first in Europe, the Middle East and Africa this month, followed by other markets within the next few months.

For the A530, LG has chosen to take the passive 3D glasses route by installing a 15.6-inch screen using its proprietary "Film Patterned Retarder" technology. Essentially this means the screen shows left and right images through different patterns in a circular polarizer. The glasses allow only left and right images to be seen respectively, but create the 3D effect when combined in the brain, free of flicker.

In addition to the 3D support, the screen features a max resolution of 1366 x 768 or 1920 x 1080, depending on the model – a non-3D model sports a resolution of 1600 x 900. Other features include a processor up to Intel's second-generation Core i7, up to 8 GB of RAM, up to 750 GB of HDD space (with an included 4 GB SSD using Diskeeper's ExpressCache technology), and a Nvidia GeForce GT 555M GPU with either 1 GB or 2 GB of dedicated memory.

Additional reports claim that the laptop features either a DVD writer or a Blu-ray combo drive, depending on the model. There's also a 3D dual webcam, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 or 3.0, a SRS Wide 3D Sound system (only on the 3D models), a 7-in-1 card reader, a fingerprint reader, one USB 3.0 port, a HDMI output port, and a 6-cell battery.

"With 3D becoming ever more popular, the logical next step is to let users make their own 3D content and watch it on a top-quality 3D screen. And that’s just what our new A530 does," said J.J. Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of LG Electronics PC Business Unit. "LG is already a leader in the ever-growing world of 3D technology. With the LG A530’s wide range of line-ups including 3D HD in addition to 3D Full HD, LG is already leading the 3D notebook market."

So far pricing and actual availability is unknown. LG also didn’t specify when this laptop will become available here in the States, so stay tuned.

Kevin Parrish
14 Comments Comment from the forums
  • sot010174
    Already on sale since 2010(?) here on Brazil...

    http://www.americanas.com.br/produto/7300620/informatica/notebooks/lg/notebook-3d-lg-r5906000-c/-intel%C2%AE-core-i7-740qm-1.73ghz-4gb-640gb-bluray-disc-e-dvdrw-webcam-1.3mp-e-saida-hdmi-led-156-windows-7-premium-+-oculos-3d-lg
    Reply
  • upgrade_1977
    This month LG is launching two notebooks with built-in support for 3D. Unfortunately, they require the use of nerdy polarized glasses.
    ???

    Whats wrong with polarized glasses? There inexpensive and they work really well. I actually prefer them over the half resolution glasses free screens with black lines going through them...

    Polarized glasses and shutter glasses are the best options IMO, at least until they come out with something better.

    Reply
  • Anomalyx
    Please.... stop the 3D fad....
    Reply
  • upgrade_1977
    It's not a fad.. It's just in it's infancy, in a few more years everything will be 3d. And I like many others love 3d and it's here to stay..
    If you don't like it, then don't buy it.. 0_o

    Really don't get why some people want to go backwards with technology..
    It's a feature, you don't go to stores and say no thats to many features, can you please give me something that is less capable..
    Not like you have to leave it on, 3d is an option. I use my 3d monitor in 2d mode all the time and it works better then most NON 3d monitors. Besides, the tech is getting better every year, and it's getting cheaper to.
    Reply
  • Ciuy
    3D overrated !!! Its bad for your eyes.
    Reply
  • It's a feature that halves the FPS count, causes headaches for a lot of people, and offers a marginal improvement in viewing (on a grand scale, I don't see the point or the allure of the technology in question).
    Perhaps when it won't require glasses or cause headaches, or half the FPS count that I might consider it.

    Reply
  • eddieroolz
    deksman2It's a feature that halves the FPS count, causes headaches for a lot of people, and offers a marginal improvement in viewing (on a grand scale, I don't see the point or the allure of the technology in question).Perhaps when it won't require glasses or cause headaches, or half the FPS count that I might consider it.
    This sums it up well. Headaches are a killer for me.
    Reply
  • upgrade_1977
    I use it for hours, and no headaches. It adds so much more to the game.

    I used to have the old glasses, and yeah, they were hard to game with and I did get headaches. The new ones are so much better, no perceivable flickering, and you can turn the depth down to adjust the 3d. Again, if you don't like it, you can turn it off, or not buy it.

    All my friends were saying the same thing, 3d sucks, ect. ect. ect., Until
    I showed the nvidia glasses and my monitor to all my friends, playing crysis 2 and Black Ops, and now, they are all saving to get there own.

    So my question is, how many of you who are complaining, actually gamed with the NEW glasses?

    And, again, why complain about the technology, if your not interested in it? Just let it be, there are plenty of people who do like it.
    Reply
  • alidan
    upgrade_1977I use it for hours, and no headaches. It adds so much more to the game. I used to have the old glasses, and yeah, they were hard to game with and I did get headaches. The new ones are so much better, no perceivable flickering, and you can turn the depth down to adjust the 3d. Again, if you don't like it, you can turn it off, or not buy it. All my friends were saying the same thing, 3d sucks, ect. ect. ect., UntilI showed the nvidia glasses and my monitor to all my friends, playing crysis 2 and Black Ops, and now, they are all saving to get there own. So my question is, how many of you who are complaining, actually gamed with the NEW glasses?And, again, why complain about the technology, if your not interested in it? Just let it be, there are plenty of people who do like it.
    sadly i haven't used the most recent glasses in games, but i have had them on my head, they were refreshing at 60hz on a 240hz tv, and it looked amazing, however, anywhere that wasn't tv, i could see the flickering... and i cant have that.

    i have however, in the past, used a head mounted display for 3d, but this is like 7-10 years ago, the games looked like crap, but the 3d... my god, i cant wait till i can get that at home, but current glasses will give me a head ache if i use them

    anyone happen to know if there are any 120hz refresh glasses?
    Reply
  • upgrade_1977
    Id love get a decent HD vr helmet, that would be awesome. Hopefully someone releases one soon as newer tech is huge improvement vs $2000 640 x 400 older types. As for flicker free you can get an LG 55LW5600 tv which uses polarized glasses like laptop above. Still waiting for a polarized 3d full resolution monitor to come out, none out yet as far as i know.
    Reply