August 10, 2011 - 17:17 AMT
Toshiba launches first 3D glasses notebook

Toshiba introduced the world’s first glasses-free 3-D notebook.

The Qosmio F755 has an Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDA GeForce 540M graphics, as well as Harmon Kardon speakers, a Blu-ray drive and HDMI output. It can display content in either 2-D or 3-D, according to Gadget Lab.

To achieve a 3-D effect without glasses, the F755 uses an auto-stereoscopic display. This works by creating a double parallax image: two images are projected simultaneously, and face-tracking technology (through the laptop’s built-in webcam) customizes the image based on the viewer’s position, delivering one image for the left eye, and one for the right.

This allows viewing 3-D content from a “broad viewing zone,” according to Toshiba’s press release. But this may also mean two people won’t be able to watch the screen in 3-D at the same time.

In another effort to make 3-D more compelling to consumers, yesterday Panasonic, Sony and Samsung teamed up to announce their support of the “Full HD 3-D Glasses Initiative,” which would mean one brand of glasses could be worn to view all of their 3-D TV models. But so far, mobile devices, like the glasses-free 3-D Nintendo 3DS seem to be enjoying marginally more success than larger-displayed counterparts.

The Qosmio F755 can be sold staring Aug. 16 for $1,700.