Lenovo is unleashing the IdeaPad Y560d as their first 3D laptop. It features a 3D display unique for multimedia, and comes with software and one pair of glasses. What’s the deal with the 3D craze, and can it help the common VAR? Read on…

The 15.6 inch laptop is as typical as you might expect, complete with SSD and HDD solutions, Windows 7 Lenovo Enhanced Experience and all the bells and whistles you’d want from a mid- to high-end consumer laptop, including some special performance tweaks for Blu-ray and video cards.

But Lenovo has a trick up their sleeve.

Lenovo is calling the technology TriDef 3-D technology built in, which has the ability to turn 2D videos and photos into a 3D experience. Although this is a consumer-based technology, it’s got some serious potential in the working world as far as helping people visualize things more realistically.

Consumer devices often leak over in the enterprise, and something like this 3D mobile tech (which happens to be reasonably priced) would be perfect for the medical field. 2D X-Rays and CAT scan images could be bumped up to a more realistic 3D, and even VARs working with businesses who need to show a visualization of a network or a new data center structure could potentially use this technology to sell the product.

Is it a pipe dream, though, or untapped potential? Let us know.

You can get your hands on the IdeaPad Y560d laptop by the end of June, and it’s priced around $1,199.99.

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http://www.toshiba.ca/web/pressrelease.grp?pressid=6465&from=25

Toshiba Leads the Way with Industry’s First Blu-ray 3D Format Notebook

New Satellite A660-042 notebook takes computing to a whole new dimension

Markham, ON (June 16, 2010) –Toshiba of Canada Limited, announced today the introduction of the industry’s first 3D notebook PC featuring playback of 3D¹ content in Blu-ray 3D™², the new Satellite A660-042.  Equipped with WinDVD® BD for Toshiba and NVIDIA® 3D Vision™³ software and hardware, this revolutionary notebook plays back content in Blu-ray 3D™ format, providing consumers with a rich and vivid 3D experience when used in conjunction with active-shutter glasses.

The Satellite A660-042 features a 15.6-inch LCD display with LED backlighting and can play 3D Blu-ray titles and games⁴ . Adopting the same active shutter technology that has made 3D a hit in movie theatres around the world, the Satellite A660-042 comes equipped with wireless 3D active shutter LCD glasses that lighten and darken at the same fast refresh rate of 120Hz⁵ LCD.

Since each eye receives a slightly different image at the same time, the result is a high quality⁶, dynamic stereoscopic image: full 3D⁷.  The system’s high level performance is enhanced by the integration of NVIDIA’s latest graphic processor, the NVIDIA® GeForce® GTS 350M, and 1GB Video RAM dedicated to graphics processing.

“Toshiba of Canada is incredibly excited to offer Canadian consumers the first ever 3D notebook,” said Mini Saluja, Toshiba product manager.  “With the Satellite A660-042, activities such as gaming and watching movies are enhanced, allowing for a more intense and satisfying experience.”

In addition to being the first 3D format notebook on the market, the Satellite A660-042 continues Toshiba’s commitment to providing notebook options that perfectly merge outstanding performance with a sophisticated aesthetic. Featuring a Velvety Black casing with chrome accents and a raised-tile keyboard, this sleek unit comes equipped with the latest Intel Core i7 processor, harman/kardon stereo speakers with Dolby Advanced Audio and 640GB of hard disk drive space.

Other key features include:

• Toshiba Media Controller– a Toshiba exclusive application with a drag and drop interface that completely simplifies the home networking experience.
• USB Sleep n Music– a Toshiba exclusive feature that allows the computer to act as a portable sound system when attached to an MP3 player- even when it is off or asleep.
• Resolution+ – a Toshiba exclusive innovation that takes standard definition DVD content and upscales it to a sharper, more vibrant picture that looks more like HD.
• Eco Mode – limits power consumption and allows users to measure energy usage in real time.
• Hard Drive Impact Sensor – detects vibrations or falls and protects the hard drive from damage and data loss.
• USB Sleep and Charge – charge a PDA, Mobile Phone, MP3 player, gaming console etc. even when the notebook is turned off.
• Face Recognition Technology – logon on to your notebook using your face.
• HDMI output port – tap into a home theatre or other external consumer electronics devices.
• 4GB of DDR3 memory
• Windows  7 Home Premium

Available for the suggested list price of $1,899

For more information, please contact:
Carla Maggiotto / Kiva Reardon
Media Profile
416-504-8464
carla.maggiotto@mediaprofile.com / kiva.reardon@mediaprofile.com