AS Sony exits the PC market, LG sees “opportunity” to shine
LG has gone head first into the IT market, releasing its first ever notebook called UltraPC last year, despite several majors including Sony and Samsung legging it out of a seemingly ailing market.
In 2014, it has upgraded the UltraPC, first revealed at CES last month, making it slimmer, skinnier and faster with the new Intel 4th gen Haswell processor. It also unveiled new Google Chromebase, monitors and accessories, due for release this year.
The giant unveiled the UltraPC notebook (13Z940) in Oz for the first time this week, and will be available to buy next week.
LG’s new UltraPC 13.3″ Full HD, IPS display, runs Windows 8.1, weighs less than 1kg, and has a longer life battery.
UltraPC comes in four colours: Misty Rose/Baby Blue/Powder White/Glam Metal.
Priced at RRP $1,298 (i5 model) and $1,898 (i7 model).
LG IT manager Russ Prendergast says LG hardware is already in a lot of IT products so it was a “natural evolution” for the giant to join the PC market. The Korean company makes screens for iPad and Sony amongst others.
“It’s a great opportunity to position ourselves in the market” with several majors pulling out.
The Korean giant believes it’s thin notebook will succeed where others failed. “We’re in for the long haul,” says Prendergast.
“Laptops are still a large proportion of computing devices,” despite double digit growth of tablets, a space LG also entered last year.
In terms of local availability, “Harvey Norman is a key partner but we’re in talks with others including JB Hi-Fi, Bing Lee,” he said.
LG says another key function of the UltraPC is the fast boot up through its solid-state drive (128GB or 256GB), Instant Booting, as well as Reader Mode, which reduces reader fatigue.
The notebook is certainly light with a 4.4mm thin bezel and measures only 13.6mm at its thickest point. You can open the cover with one hand.
Specs: UltraPC (Model 13Z940)
Display 13.3″ (34cm) Full HD IPS (1920×1080)
CPU Intel 4th Gen Core Haswell (i5/i7)
OS Windows 8.1 (64bit)
Memory 4GB/8GB (DDR)
Storage 128GB /256GB (SSD)
Network WiFi : 801.11 a/b/g/n (2.4G/5G, Dual Band)
LAN : Ethernet 10/100/1000 mbps
Bluetooth: 4.0
I/O USB 3.0 x 2, USB 2.0 x 1, Micro USB x1
Micro Expansion Slot (x2)
Headphone Out / MIC-In
Webcam / MIC Web CAM : 1.3M
MIC : Stereo
Dimension/ Weight Thickness: 13.6mm
Bezel: 4.4mm
Weight : 0.98kg
Colours Misty Rose/Baby Blue/Powder White/Glam Metal
