Toshiba Chromebook 2 refreshed with 5th gen i3 processor, new backlit keyboard, more

Toshiba, this morning, announced that it’s bringing some welcome upgrades to its already-awesome Chromebook 2. The new Chromebook will feature either a 5th generation Intel Core i3 or Celeron processor, and up to 4GB RAM when it hits major retailers in October. As well as new processing power, the Chromebook 2 will come with an all-new LED backlit keyboard. Pricing will start at $329 for the Celeron-based models, and $429 for the i3-powered Chromebook.

“As more people use Chromebooks for productivity and rely more often on the web for content creation and entertainment, devices need to be better equipped for these higher processing demands and built with hardware features that optimize Chrome OS,” said Philip Osako, senior director of product marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. “With the launch of our latest Chromebook 2 models, Toshiba delivers brilliant performance for an outstanding experience on and off the web with entertainment-inspired hardware features that make the most of Chrome OS and enable customers to get things done faster wherever their Chromebook 2 takes them.”

Like the current model, the refreshed version has a full HD 13.3-inch IPS display which Toshiba claims will offer great color reproduction and accuracy, as well as really wide viewing angles. The new model also comes with front-facing speakers tuned by Skullcandy, onboard dual array microphones and a 720p HD webcam. The new Chromebook 2 also ships with one USB 3.0 port, one USB 2.0 port, an HDMI output, SD card reader and a security lock slot. What’s more, it boasts 8.5 hours battery life, and customers buying one will be able to claim 100GB Google Drive storage and 90 days of free unlimited streaming on Google Play.

Toshiba’s Chromebook 2 is one of our favorite Chrome OS notebooks available to buy. It comfortably made it on to our list of the best Chromebooks around, and looks like it’ll be even better before the holiday season swings by. If you don’t want to wait for the newer, more powerful model, you can still pick up the current gen from around $250.