Toshiba has announced a new premium notebook family whose sole member may be the only high-end ultrabook to offer a 2560x1440 display. Named "Kirabook," the system is Toshiba's first to ship with an ultra-high resolution PixelPure screen, which is protected by Corning's Concore Glass, can be had in a standard version as well as one with 10-point multitouch support, and touts a healthy pixel density of 221 PPI – just a notch below the MacBook Pro Retina's 227 PPI and the Chromebook Pixel's 239 PPI.
Toshiba's press release doesn't explicitly say whether the machine features an IPS panel, but it does go out of its way to mention the display's "broad range of true-to-life colors" as well as the ability for photo and video enthusiasts to get their hands dirty with the preinstalled copies of Adobe Photoshop and Premier Elements 11. To accompany its fancy color-accurate visuals, the Kirabook touts a respectable sound configuration courtesy of two stereo speakers by Harman Kardon and audio processing by DTS.
Information about internal specifications is still a bit sparse, but it doesn't seem like Toshiba is looking to cut any corners with this system. So far, there's word of an Ivy Bridge-based Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, 8GB of 1600MHz memory, a 256GB SSD and a high-capacity lithium-ion battery that lets you escape from power outlets for the day. Along with core hardware, the company spoke of its in-house AirFlow II multiphase fan technology which keeps the Kirabook's guts cool – not the easiest task given its size.
The machine is said to be the only ultrabook of its kind with an AZ91 pressed magnesium ally chassis – a solution that Toshiba is 100% stronger than A6063 aluminum alloy, which we assume is commonly used in notebooks. Between the AZ91's extra strength, honeycomb reinforcements under key points, and a stabilizing hinge, the Kirabook is designed to feel durable and rigid despite measuring 0.7 inches thick and weighing only 2.6 pounds. Preorders will open May 3 with pricing from $1,600 to $2,000.