Toshiba is already working on the back-to-school season and aims at getting some share of the detachable tablet/PC market with a pair of computers called Click 2 and Click 2 Pro. Toshiba sees an opportunity to attract buyers by giving a little more muscle to its tablets couple with a nicer design, which is admittedly a weak point for many consumer-level detachable. Those computers tend to have more volume in the screen because that’s where the computer is, so the design can be challenging.
Toshiba Click 2
The Toshiba Click 2 will be available exclusively at BestBuy stores and website. This is not surprising given the generally excellent relationship between the two companies. In terms of specifications, the Toshiba Click will shop with an Intel Core i5 4th generation, 4GB of RAM and a 500 GB hard drive. There won’t be an SSD option, which is a pity, but in the entry level space ($586), that’s quite normal. Toshiba claims a battery life of 8 hours while watching movies, but couldn’t confirm the level of brightness used during their internal tests.
The new 0.9” design (0.5” as a tablet) gets a much better latching mechanism for the 13.3” screen when compared to the original Toshiba Click. The connection between the tablet and keyboard is clean, and at first sight, this actually doesn’t look like a detachable at all. The relative thickness of the screen side is the only detail that gives it away. The build-quality is good, and the device doesn’t feel cheap since it has a metallic skin.
The second interesting thing is the improved keyboard which his more rigid than its predecessor. This is often a weak point for detachable because despite the fact that most of the weight is in the screen part, people still want to hold it from the keyboard. The new one is designed to minimize bending when people do that. I tried it, and I have to say that it is pretty rigid, but it still flexes somewhat, so you shouldn’t expect it to be super-rigid. That’s just how these computers are.
The keyboard uses Chiclet keys (inspired by the Kirabook laptop), which are popular these days. I think that it’s less likely to make a typo since there is a space in between keys, and Toshiba has done a pretty good job with the key slight curvature and overall typing sensation. This is no MacBook Pro keyboard, but it is above-average for sure.
Additionally, Toshiba has placed some speakers at the front of the screen, which is great from a design standpoint. They are very discrete, but projecting the sound in the user direction is just better than other alternatives. Like before, Toshiba has partnered with Skullcandy and DTS to get some audio tuning that they feel is best. The Skullcandy demo was nice and convincing, but I have to say that brands sure know how to select the best tracks for those.
Toshiba Click 2 Pro
The Click 2 Pro shares the same design language, but gets a slimmer body (0.78”), partly because it uses an SSD storage, but more importantly because it is a little more expensive. The body has more metal, and feels more premium in general and looks much more like an Ultrabook when compared to other detachable PCs.
The hinge mechanism is a little different from the Click 2 as well: instead of having a latching mechanism which requires sliding a lock, the Click 2 Pro has a “push to unlock” mechanism which lets users detach the screen more casually with one hand.
Inside you can opt for the Core i7 or Core i5 processor from Intel and 128 GB of internal SSD storage. There’s also a built-in MicroSD memory slot, Micro HDMI, Micro USB 2.0. Additional wireless connectivity is provided via WiFi AC and Intel WiDi, in case you want to wirelessly connect the laptop to a compatible TV.
The keyboard is quite interesting since it has a little battery to supplement the internal one, along with 2 x USB 3.0 ports, one Sleep & charge USB Port and an additional 500 GB hard drive – that’s a lot of things integrated into a relatively inconspicuous keyboard.
There’s no deal with Skullcandy on this one, but the Speaker system comes from Harman Kardon. There are two cameras (front/back).
Starting at $1028.99 ($1279. 99 with the keyboard), the Click 2 Pro competes certainly has enough appeal to compete with many Ultrabooks.
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