Toshiba enhances notebook computer line and reduces prices on selected models; T4850CT features 10.4-inch TFT color screen; new Satellite Pro Series comes with three-year limited warranty

Business Wire, Nov 1, 1994

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 1994--The Computer Systems Division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS) today announced enhancements for its current notebook computer line including the new T4850CT high performance model featuring a 10.4-inch TFT active matrix color screen and multimedia capabilities.

Further complementing its successful Satellite value series, Toshiba introduced the Satellite Pro Series now available with a three-year warranty for its currently shipping T2400CS and T2400CT models. In addition, the company reduced prices up to 18 percent on selected ultra-portable, notebook and portable computers.

"These announcements demonstrate our commitment to providing our customers with exceptional portable computing performance at the best value in the industry," stated Michael Winkler, vice president/general manager for the Computer Systems Division of Toshiba America Information Systems Inc.

"Furthermore, we are reinforcing our leadership position, particularly in the SOHO and corporate markets, by offering the Satellite Pro line extension for those customers who require an advanced feature-set notebook computer with a three-year warranty."

New High-Performance T4850CT Notebook Computer

"Extending the T4800CT family, the new T4850CT notebook computer is another example of Toshiba's exceptional array of portable information solutions for their customers' portable computing applications.

"It provides dynamic versatility in power, video and sound matched with increased storage capacity of 810 million bytes (=772MB) in a complete notebook system ideal for multimedia presentations and other advanced applications requiring increased performance, maximum expandability and a high level of portability," said Steve Lair, vice president of marketing for the Computer Systems Division of Toshiba America Information Systems Inc.

The multimedia-ready T4850CT is powered by the SL Enhanced IntelDX4 75MHz processor, VL local-bus and a graphics accelerator to offer maximum system performance and productivity. The hard disk drive options (810 or 520 million bytes) and 75MHz performance allows for improved software video playback for true multimedia capabilities.

The T4850CT has a 10.4-inch color TFT active-matrix display and supports up to 65,536 (64K) simultaneous colors at 640 x 480 adding increased color depth and dimension to graphics and video. Other features to note are the enhanced integrated audio capabilities consisting of 16-bit sound, .WAV and MIDI audio, a built-in speaker and microphone as well as external speaker/headphone and microphone jacks.

The 6.9-pound T4850CT comes standard with MS-DOS 6.22, Windows for Workgroups 3.11, Windows Sound System 1.1, Indeo Video 3.2, RunTime Video for Windows 1.1 and the Fn-esse utility. Available with a three-year limited warranty, the T4850CT is currently shipping and has a suggested retail price of $6,099 for the 520 million byte HDD model and $6,499 for the 810 million byte HDD model.

New Satellite Pro Series

For customers requiring feature-rich notebook computers at affordable prices, Toshiba introduced the new Satellite Pro Series now available with a three-year limited warranty. The already shipping T2400CS and T2400CT models, featuring the same product specifications and configurations, will become the first members of this new line extension of the Satellite family.

"The Satellite Pro Series is aimed at value- and feature-driven customers in the small office/home office, small business and corporate markets who need advanced computing power with multimedia capabilities in a competitively-priced notebook computer.

"Furthermore, the addition of the three-year limited warranty reflects their desire for a more complete support package to complement the T2400C's performance, expandability and exceptional value," Lair stated. For those customers who purchased a T2400C prior to Nov. 1, an upgrade to the three-year limited warranty is available for a special rate of $149.95 by calling 800-999-4273.

The new Satellite Pro T2400C Series features a 50MHz i486DX2 processor and a graphics accelerator and VL local-bus for enhanced video performance. Customers are given a choice of a Dynamic-STN dual scan color or TFT active-matrix color display and a 250MB or 320MB hard disk drive.

For expansion now and in the future, the Satellite Pro T2400C implements two separate PCMCIA slots, a SCSI-2 port and optional port replicator. These models are also available with the integrated AccuPoint pointing device and multimedia capabilities enhanced by an optional sound card upgrade.

Toshiba Price Reductions on Selected Models

Toshiba reduced prices on most of its products including the entire Satellite notebook line as well as the T3600CT, T4700CT, T4800CT and T6600C series. All prices are effective immediately.

"As the yields of TFT active-matrix color screens continue to rise, we are unable to extend these savings to our customers who desire the highest quality of color available for their portable computing applications," Lair said.