Toshiba Outs Satellite A, M, P and U Notebooks

We're not sure what's up with all of these companies busting out "back-to-school" machines in late June, but we're downright saddened by it. While kids attempt to enjoy their summer break, firms like Toshiba are helping them remember that next term is just months away. Today, Toshiba has revealed a new slate of notebooks, the Satellite A, M, P and U Series machines.


According to the company, The Satellite M and Satellite U Series offer great multimedia performance and everyday mobility, while the more powerful Satellite A and Satellite P Series, deliver an excellent platform for powering HD entertainment. The new Satellite laptop models are available today in both Intel and AMD CPU configurations, with prices starting at $699. There are far too many to break down, so we'll post the rundown below for you to wade through.

Complete Line-up

The new Satellite laptops continue to include premium features such as LED-illuminated Feathertouch multimedia command keys, built-in Webcams with Toshiba’s face recognition software, harmon/kardon^® speakers and Toshiba’s innovative eSATA/USB combo ports with USB Sleep-and-Charge at starting price points ranging from $699.99 to $849.99². They include:

For Multimedia and Mobility:

• The Satellite U500/U505: The Satellite U Series is not just a highly mobile laptop, it’s a fashion statement. With a unique textured finish on the outside and impressive multimedia performance on the inside, this ultraportable fuses function with style and travels well with a weight starting at just 5 pounds. Pricing starts at $849.99 MSRP².
• The Satellite M500/M505: The Satellite M Series is a versatile, upscale multimedia performance laptop for work and play for home users, students and mobile enthusiasts. With its dashing good looks, this laptop packages performance-class technology with a 14-inch high-def LED display perfect for enjoying digital media, casual gaming or even getting work done. Pricing starts at $699.99 MSRP¹.

For Widescreen HD Entertainment:

• The Satellite A500/A505: The Satellite A Series is an entertainment-packed performance laptop that combines high-end processing with Toshiba’s latest design elements – perfect for home users and tech enthusiasts. The sleek Satellite A Series 16-inch diagonal widescreen HD Edge-to-Edge display on particular models, grill-encased harmon/kardon^® speakers, slot-loading DVD drive and glossy Fusion finish will turn heads, and its astonishing performance and massive hard drive will keep you entertained for hours on the go. Pricing starts at $749.99 MSRP¹.
• The Satellite P500/P505: Featuring a massive 18.4-diagonal widescreen HD TruBrite display, the Satellite P Series is designed with digital media enthusiasts and mainstream PC gamers in mind. The Satellite P Series offers more than an ordinary laptop, and not just in size. Featuring grill-encased harmon/kardon speakers, as well as sleek slot-loading DVD drives and glossy Fusion Finish with Toshiba’s new Sonic pattern, this high-performance desktop replacement also incorporates powerful processing muscle. Select models also include Edge-to-Edge displays and illuminating backlit keyboards. Pricing starts at $799.99 MSRP¹.

Additional new features available on select models include:

• High Definition Widescreen Display: The new HD TruBrite™ widescreen displays feature a stunning 16:9 aspect ratio¹ and native 720p resolution, offering more viewing space than standard displays while delivering a more enjoyable TV-like experience. In addition, select models include LED backlit displays that light up instantly and are more environmentally conscious and energy-efficient than standard TFT LCD displays.
• Cinematic ‘Edge-to-Edge’ Display: With an uninterrupted, seamless edge between the glass screen and stylish chrome trim, users will be able to focus on the task at hand without distraction.
• New Sleek Flat Keyboard with black matte finish: A comfortable typing surface and premium look that is less prone to fingerprints.
• Illuminating LED Backlit Keyboard: Enjoy more computing time even in lower light conditions.
• Slot-loading DVD Drive: Combining fashion and function, the adoption of slot-loading drives eliminates external moving parts and makes loading DVDs and CDs easier in confined spaces. The new drives have all the same capabilities of Toshiba’s DVD SuperMulti drives with Labelflash.
• Touchpad with Multi-Touch Control: The standard touchpad now includes multi-finger touch control capabilities, making it easier to scroll and navigate through Web pages and long documents or rotate and zoom into images. These new touchpads feature four gestures: Rotate, Ping, Momentum and Scroll.
• Toshiba Power-saving Eco Utility button: From a new button on the Feathertouch control panel above the keyboard, users can now access a utility that allows them to monitor and adjust their power consumption and settings in real-time. The utility also provides daily, weekly and monthly analysis reports that show accumulated power savings.
• Toshiba PC Health Monitor: A system utility that proactively checks the critical components of the laptop for problematic conditions, such as battery performance, heat and hard drive movement and alerts the user to potential problems before it’s too late.
• Hard Drive Impact Sensor: A built-in 3D accelerometer that protects the user’s hard drive to safeguard data from the daily bumps of mobile life.