Toshiba introduces Kirabook, a MacBook Pro Retina and Chromebook Pixel rival

By Frank Everaardt, Thursday 18 April 2013  uk.hardware.info

Toshiba introduced an Ultrabook that could very well be seen as a rival for the MacBook Pro Retina and the Chromebook Pixel. It is called the Kirabook, and sports a 13,3 inch display with 2560x1440 pixels, just a smidgen below the resolution of the MacBook Pro Retina 13,3 inch and the Chromebook Pixel, who have displays with 2560x1600 and 2560x1700 pixels respectively. It is, however, the first Windows laptop with such a high resolution.

The standard version of the Kirabook has an Intel Core i5 processor, a 256 GB SSD, and 8 GB of RAM. It will be available for 1599 USD. There is also going to be a higher specced model, which is going to cost 1999 USD, and will be equipped with a touchscreen and an Intel Core i7 processor. Both will be running Windows 8.

The Kirabook's body is made from magnesium, which results in a reported weight of 1,18 kilograms. From what we heard, you can already order the Kirabook in the US as soon as 3 May, with deliveries starting on 12 May.

[Update 18 April 09:45 CET]

We asked Toshiba whether the Kirabook will also be launched in Europe, but that sadly isn't going to be the case. If you really want this Ultrabook, you're going to have to take a trip to the US.