Toshiba Pops U840 Ultrabook Onto The Asian Market

By Doug Olenick -- TWICE, 2/8/2012

Irvine, Calif. - Toshiba today had a very soft launch in the Asian market for its second-generation Ultrabook, the Satellite U840.

The U840, then unnamed, was shown at International CES last month, but the company refused to give out any details at the time other than to say the second model would likely mine a lower initial price point than its first model, the Portege Z830, which was priced at $799.

Initial pricing from various published reports places the U840 at more than $1,100 depending upon configuration in these overseas markets. Toshiba confirmed the U.S. version would come in at a much lower price point. The company also restated that the U.S. version should be shipping by in the United States for the back-to-school selling period if Toshiba decides to bring here.

The basic specs for these overseas models indicate the 14-inch U840 will be available with Intel's second-generation Core i3 and i5 processors, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, a 128 solid-state drive, 320GB or 500GB hard drive and a 1.3-megapixel webcam; it will weigh 3.5 pounds. A company spokesman said the domestic U.S. version will likely be different than what is shipping in Asia.

Other features include:

• Stereo speakers enhanced with SRS Premium Sound 3D Technology;
• Intel Rapid Start Technology;
• Toshiba Hi-Speed Start Technology;
• a USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports;
• SD card reader; and
• HDMI port.