Toshiba Updates Satellite Series with Two More Laptops

Toshiba continues to update its line of portable computer systems with the launch of new models in the Satellite series. Following news of the 13-inch U500 and 16-inch A500, the company has now officially announced the release of its new Satellite L500 and L550, two widescreen laptops that will be available in a 15.6-inch and a 17.3-inch form factor. According to Toshiba, users should be looking for the new designs as early as the third quarter this year, when they will be available throughout the EMEA region.

“Both the Satellite L500 and the Satellite L550 prove that quality, design and enhanced features can be accessible to anyone, no matter the budget,” says Thomas Teckentrup, general manager, Toshiba Computer Systems Division Europe. “Whether the customer is a first-time buyer or someone who is just looking for a device that perfectly meets his or her everyday computing needs - they’ll find what they are looking for in one of these two new laptops.”

As with the U500 and the A500, these new laptops have been designed using an IMR technology (In-Mold Rolling), enabling a slimmer design. The systems are designed to provide customers with a wide choice of hardware configurations, including the latest Core 2 Duo processors from Intel, as well as AMD's Athlon Dual Core, Turion Dual Core or Turion Ultra Dual Core processors.

Kicking off with the L500, the 15.6-inch laptop has been equipped with an HD Toshiba TruBrite display and can offer support for a 1366 x 768 pixel resolution, while the 17.3-inch L550 model can provide a resolution of 1600 by 1900, using a similar TruBrite LED backlight technology.

Both models will provide users with options for HDMI, 4-in-1 card reader, two USB 2.0 ports, eSATA/USB combo port and an integrated DVD Super Multi drive. Additional features include a VGA web camera with the company's Face Recognition software and up to 500GB of storage space. No word on pricing for the time being, but the company expects the new designs to be available later in the third quarter this year.