Toshiba Launches $1500 Luxury Kirabook with 2560x1444 LCD

Toshiba has announced the release of a brand new luxury laptop aimed at the high-end market. Dubbed the Kirabook, Toshiba says the laptop is just the first device in its brand new Kira line of luxury products. At $1,500 it's definitely got a premium price tag, so what do you get for your grand and a half?

 

Well, the most notable feature is the display. Measuring in at 13.3-inches across, the Kirabook boasts a resolution of 2560 x 1444 for an impressive 221 ppi (almost on par with the 13-inch Retina Display MacBook Pro, which has 227 ppi). Users also have the option of a 10-point multitouch display. Under the hood, you'll find Intel's third-gen Core i-series (either a Core i5 or Core i7, depending on configuration), 8GB of 1600 MHz RAM, and 256GB of solid state storage. The whole package weighs in at 2.6 pounds, thanks in part to the pressed magnesium alloy chassis, and measures 0.7 inches thick.

The Kirabook also comes with Toshiba's Platinum Service & Support, which includes a two-year warranty, 24x7 phone support, access to dedicated U.S.-based agents, rapid repair, set-up assistance, and annual tune-ups.

"At the core of the KIRA brand are products derived from inspired engineering," said Carl Pinto, vice president of marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. "Products that will carry the KIRA name will be more than a collection of the latest hardware technologies, but a statement of craftsmanship, fit and finish, and features built for the consumer's benefit, not technology's sake."

The Kirabook ranges from $1,599.99 to $1,999.99 and is up for pre-order on May 3. You can purchase it outright on May 12 on Amazon.com or BestBuy.com, or at the Microsoft Store, B&H and Adorama. You can also buy from ToshibaDirect.com.

  • jackson1420
    Wow only 2.54 times thicker than the Samsung 840 Pro. No wonder you need mSATA.
    Reply
  • bak0n
    Gamers need not apply, unless you like gaming at 10fps.
    Reply
  • bootsattheboar
    Wow, it's sad to think that $1500 used to get you a mid-level pc, and that was when $1500 was worth what $2100 is now. Now $1,500 is a luxury price? No wonder my repair business has dropped off the economic radar.
    Reply
  • TheViper
    So Toshiba made a Windows Mac?
    Reply
  • shotgunz
    It's not high end until you shove in a high end GPU
    Reply
  • Apanzee
    But can it run Minecraft?
    Reply
  • SteelCity1981
    your paying for the resolution ne the sceen mostly and lets be honest 2560 x 1444 on a 13.3 inch screen? good luck convincing people that you can tell a diff between that and a 1366 X 768 on that small of a screen.
    Reply
  • jackson1420
    10683682 said:
    Wow, it's sad to think that $1500 used to get you a mid-level pc, and that was when $1500 was worth what $2100 is now. Now $1,500 is a luxury price? No wonder my repair business has dropped off the economic radar.

    You pay the the lightness of the ultrabook packed with the features. You could pay less but you might short yourself on the typical features you expect.

    For example I was shopping Ultrabooks last month and found many laptops that fit my needs but was missing the Ethernet or it weight half a pound more or the SSD was only 128GB oh I can go on. These make all the difference.
    Reply
  • Shankovich
    Still going to wait for Haswell, I'd like to have at least some gaming potential in an ultrabook
    Reply
  • bootsattheboar
    Wow, it's sad to think that $1500 used to get you a mid-level pc, and that was when $1500 was worth what $2100 is now. Now $1,500 is a luxury price? No wonder my repair business has dropped off the economic radar.
    Reply