Sci-Tech News: Toshiba Unveils KIRAbook High-End Laptop

Toshiba has unveiled a new high-end laptop that boasts a host of premium features including an impressive 13-inch, 2560 x 1440 resolution touchscreen display. The system, which runs on Windows 8 and features a pressed magnesium alloy body, is both thinner and lighter than Apple's 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro.

You might be familiar with Toshiba from its low- to mid-range machines such as the popular Satellite range, but the company has its sights set significantly higher with the KIRAbook. The laptop, which is the first in a line of KIRA-branded premium products, features a choice of third generation Intel i5 and i7 processors, 256 GB of SSD storage and 8 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM.

Toshiba claim the system will run for around six hours on a single charge of its 52-Wh Lithium Polymer battery pack, which is not user replaceable.

The notebook measures just 0.7 inches (18 mm) thick and has a starting weight of 2.6 pounds (1.18 kg), depending on the chosen configuration. Toshiba also claims that the laptop's AZ91 pressed magnesium alloy body is one hundred percent stronger than standard (A6063) aluminum alloy constructions. Impressive stuff.

Other features of note include a frameless LED backlit keyboard, Corning Concore Glass (touchscreen models only), three USB 3.0 ports, Bluetooth 4.0 and Wireless-N Wi-Fi connectivity, and 25 GB of complimentary cloud storage (courtesy of Norton Online Backup). On the audio front, Toshiba has opted for a set of Harman Kardon stereo speakers with DTS audio processing.

The KIRAbook will also come bundled with Abode Photoshop Elements 11 and Premiere Elements 11 software, as well as Toshiba's Platinum Service and Support package, something the company is comparing to Apple Care.

The system's high-def display, which will be available in both standard and touchscreen configurations, falls just short of that on the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro, with a pixel density of 221 pixels-per-inch against Apple's 227 ppi offering. It also doesn't quite match up to the Chromebook Pixel's impressive 239 ppi display. That said, it's unlikely that those differences will be easily discernible by the naked eye.

Though the KIRAbook may be thinner and lighter than the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro, it's also a little more costly, with prices starting at US$1,599.99 for the standard i5 model, $1,799.99 for the touchscreen i5 version and a full $1,999.99 for the touchscreen i7 configuration. The KIRAbook will be up for pre-order from May 3, with purchases starting on May 12.

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Deciding on Whether to Repair or Replace a Laptop

A broken or seemingly dead laptop can be a nightmarish situation if that laptop stores a wide-range of vital information, especially if is used for school or work related matters. If significant damage is a course of the problem, you often have a choice of getting the laptop repaired or looking at the possibility of shopping for a replacement model. Age of the machine can also have a bearing on whether it is worth looking at upgrading, as can the falling prices of the latest laptops. Technologies advance so quickly, in relation to performance, speed, and storage, so it might therefore be worth splashing out of a brand new machine.

If the severity of damage is quite extensive, such a severely damaged outer case, a damaged LCD display or significant damage to the motherboard (or similar internal components), it might not be financially viable to have the laptop repaired. Although, if the damage is of a minor nature, then if is of course worthwhile taking the machine to the local computer shop for repair. Free quotes are most often given before any work starts, so you can always be sure to make the right decision before giving the go-ahead for the repair. With that being said, you really want to make certain that you find a highly qualified and reputable technician to attempt the repairs.

So before you decide on a computer repair company to diagnose potential damage, it often pays off to do a little research. Compile a short list of the most promising companies, and speak to those over the phone and ask any relevant questions. The more clued-up you are on the repair process and what to expect the easier it will be for you. This also has the potential to save you some money, as taking these steps to find the right repair tech should also help in finding the most competitive rates.

Whichever direction you decide to take, whether it is repairing your laptop or replacing it, it is also important to factor in the considerable amount of data which might be stored on the machines hard drive, and decide what you want to do with it. If unable to power on the laptop it will be difficult to recover or backup the data. Backing up data at regular intervals is vital for these precise situations. Whatever route you take, you will want to ask the repair tech about the possibility of recovering any of the data on the machine.

See more information on Computer Repairs for all types of laptop and desktop computers.

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In-Home Laptop Repair Services

Often in the lifetime of a laptop a repair might well be required, which can range from virus or spyware problems, hardware installations, screen replacements or hard drive or motherboard malfunctions. In most cases, the average computer user isn't that clued up on the inner workers of the machine and won't know how to go about solving a potential problem. So, what they normally do is to call on the services of a quality computer repair technician.

It is possible to choose from a wide-range of local computer repair shops, which offer extensive diagnostic and repair services, but quite a few others now prefer to take advantage of the in-house services wherein a qualified engineer will turn up at a person's home and carry out the repairs there and then.

Choosing the right computer repair technician is essential to ensure a job is carried out to a high-standard. Here are some of the steps to follow to find the ideal in-house computer repair service provider -

Reputation - high on the list of things to expect in an in-house laptop repair company is having a great reputation in both the industry and local community. Searching the name of a company online is a quick and easy way to read reviews and ratings from previous customers. If those are mostly positive in nature, then that is a great sign of finding a reputable company.

It is important that a company provides a fast, reliable, and friendly service, at a very competitive rate. A technician needs to be understandable and straightforward in the way a particular computer problem is explained, which is often determinable after speaking to several different companies over the phone.

Services - the ability to offer a wide-range of services and to boast an extensive knowledge of all things computer related is also essential. It helps to find a technician where repairs on either software or hardware related matters comes naturally to them. If they have these skills then a repair is most likely going to be carried out to a high-standard.

Rates - a significant deciding factor on calling out a repair service is the potential cost. Feel free to compare several companies and comparison shop to get an ideal of what each repair service charges. Also it is worthwhile to ask about charges in relation to how the rates are calculators, which could either be per hour or a fix rate charge for the entire job.

See more information on a wide-range of Laptop Repair services, such as hardware upgrades and repairs, broadband installations, data recovery, and much more.

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7 Vital Things to Know Before Buying a Laptop

Before buying a computer it is mandatory to check all its merits and drawbacks. It can be an annoying situation when you are buying an expensive laptop and you're unknown about all the facts. Today, there are several brands which promise to give their best shot in terms of performance and reliability. But still there are some essential factors to keep in mind like size, features, performance, durability, and more. Here are some very useful things to know before shopping for a laptop.

1) Operating System: Choosing an operating system is your own personal choice. Both Mac and Windows do the same thing, but they have different interface and performance. Mac is amazing with faster performance running multiple applications efficiently and crashes rarely. They are less vulnerable to viruses or other malwares. Windows OS also runs well and importantly it is more familiar for many people. If you're quite familiar with Windows then stick to it. But if you wish to learn something new, then go for the Mac.

2) System Memory: A system's memory plays a significant role in case of performance. Ensure your RAM keeps up a good performance level when you are using many applications simultaneously or watching multiple websites in different browsers. The more RAM, the faster your laptop will perform. Make sure your laptop gives you option to upgrade your RAM if required for more performance.

3) Processor: CPU is a chip inside a laptop which is considered as the brain of the computer where fast thinking (processing) happens. Go for the fastest processor that you can afford. Dual core processor will be fine if you're not running intensive, threaded applications regularly. But mainstream buyers can look for Intel's Core i3 or i5 processors which are quite advance. Centrino Core 2 Duo processor can give you a better performance at a good price. It will run more efficiently, with longer battery life and better wireless performance.

4) Hard Drive: It's a permanent storage in the laptop where you store all your files, photos, music, videos, documents, spreadsheets, applications, etc. If you often download and store movies and games on your computer, you need sufficient memory space. Make sure your hard drive holds at least 160 GB (163,840 megabytes). If your budget is a bit high, then more than 160 GB will be a better choice.

5) Keyboard and Touchpad: Apart from RAM, processor and hard drive, keyboard and touchpad are also the essential lookouts for a good laptop. You are going to use these two input devices most of the time. While you type, some keyboards flex or bounce under the pressure of your finger tips. It really feels unpleasant particularly while doing an important task. Check out for the best laptop having firm support underneath the entire keyboard structure. You can also go for a laptop having LED-backlit keyboard which can help you type in a dimly lit room. When it comes to touchpad, choose the one having excellent sensitivity and minimal lag. Make sure you can move cursor on the screen precisely along with your fingertip on the touchpad. Larger touchpad with buttons are generally good.

6) Screen & Audio System: It is quite difficult and expensive to change your laptop screen unlike desktop monitor, once purchased. So, look for the right resolution at the time of purchase. Cheaper screens are often invisible in outdoor light and become less useful for you. Clearly check how the laptop screen performs under sunlight. Get the right amount of pixels if it is required for your computer activities. You should also check the sound system before purchasing a laptop. Make sure the sound is quite audible and crystal clear. There are some advance models which comes with Intel's WiDi technology that helps you wireless stream video from your laptop to your HDTV.

7) Battery Performance: Most of the laptop battery comes with 1-year warranty. There are some organizations that claim a battery backup of 5 to 6hrs for their laptops. But most of the laptops can only sustain maximum up to 3hrs due to lack of actual back-up time. Make sure to get the right battery and check it after couple of days of usage. You can also extend the standard 1-year warranty by paying some extra bucks.

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