Toshiba, Lenovo Roll Out Multimedia 3D Laptops

Toshiba has announced the release of a series of refreshed, expanded and brand new notebooks under the Satellite brand, including the Satellite A665 3D graphics-ready notebook powered by Nvidia 3D vision technology. Equipped with a rewritable Blu-ray Disc drive, the 3D-ready A665 is also ready to support content playback in the Blu-ray 3D format.

The notebook is powered by Intel’s Core i7 quad-core processor with TurboBoost technology plus the Nvidia GeForce GTS 350M GPU with 1GB of video memory. The Nvidia 3D Vision kit, which comes standard with the A665, includes software, a pair of wireless active shutter glasses and an emitter. Toshiba listed the notebook, available June 20, at $1,599.99.

The A665 also boasts built-in harman/kardon speakers, Sleep-and-Music technology, which enabling users to play music from their MP3 players through the laptop’s speakers even while the laptop is powered down, and Resolution+ DVD upconversion technology, which improves the quality of standard definition DVD content by boosting contrast, sharpness and saturation. Rounding out the list of features is an LED backlit keyboard and a TouchPad allowing users to pinch, swipe or zoom through files, applications and Web pages.

Lenovo announced its own entry into the 3D notebook market with the IdeaPad Y560d, the company’s first multimedia laptop with a 3D display. The notebook features the company’s TriDef 3D technology solution, which includes a 3D screen, software and glasses. Users also have the option of an optional Blu-ray Disc drive, HD graphics support and an HDMI output for connecting to other HD devices such as a TV or gaming console. Available by the end of the month, the Y560d is expected to retail for $1,199.99.

In addition to 3D features such as TriDef 3D technology, which allows users to experience 3D on their standard 2D videos and photos, and the TriDef Photo Transformer, which turns standard photos into 3D, the Y560 did also boasts JBL-designed speakers and Dolby Home Theater surround sound, the notebook includes Lenovo’s Enhanced Experience RapidDrive technology, which combines SSD and HDD storage solutions to deliver faster Windows 7 boot-up times and improve application performance.