Toshiba unleashes wide Ivy Bridge ultrabook on Aussies

Toshiba today unveiled a widescreen, 14.4in Ivy Bridge ultrabook to Australian and global markets. 

It is touting the Satellite U840W notebook as the world's first panoramic ultrabook, with a 21:9 (1792 x 768) widescreen display.

The wider screen allows users to work in a "split screen" format, with the software automatically adjusting aspect ratios to display several windows simultaneously.

The ultrabook features a two-tone aluminium chassis in metallic silver.

It weighs in at 1.7kg and runs on Intel’s Ivy Bridge Core i5 chip and HD 400 graphics, with 6GB memory and a 500GB HDD.

It includes three USB 3.0 ports as well as a “sleep & charge port” for camera and phone charging when the ultrabook is on standby.

Toshiba has included its PeakShift technology in the Satellite, allowing users to customise the way they charge the notebook by programming it to switch from battery to mains power during peak times. 

Toshiba told CRN the technology would be included in all its future notebook releases.

The Satellite targets both consumer and business users and will be available from all major retailers from mid June for $A1499.  

“We wanted to take a bold step in the ultrabook market with a product that responds to today’s consumer needs,” Toshiba product manager Justin White said in a statement.

“With the latest IPTV trends, people don’t just want an amazing viewing experience; they want to interact with the content they watch in real time.”