Toshiba Brings Pentium III Processor Performance to Tecra 8000, Offering Customers 22,680 Build-To-Order Options

Business Wire, Oct 25, 1999

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 25, 1999--

Maintaining a Consistent Software Image and Key Components Since

August 1998, the Tecra 8000 is the Ideal Mobile Platform for the Y2K

Transition

Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. (TAIS), Computer Systems Group (CSG), Monday announced the addition of Intel's new Mobile Pentium(R) III processor and high capacity hard drives to its Tecra(R) 8000 Build-to-Order (BTO) options.

With the Tecra 8000 series, corporate customers continue to enjoy the platform's award-winning investment protection, manageability and long product life cycles, while experiencing the unprecedented performance of Pentium III processors.

"The Tecra 8000 series' unparalleled life cycle, consistent software image and flexible options prove Toshiba's commitment to improving the corporate customer's bottom line," said Jeffrey Friederichs, vice president and general manager of marketing, Toshiba CSG. "With more than 22,600 possible BTO options, Toshiba's customers can select the exact configuration to fit their specific needs."

Easily Transition into the New Millenium with a Stable Platform

The ideal mobile platform for the Y2K transition, the Tecra 8000 has maintained a consistent software image and key components since its introduction in August 1998. This stable platform saves corporate customers time and money by reducing set-up and ongoing support costs. The unique Tecra design also allows customers to seamlessly transition from Mobile Pentium II to Mobile Pentium III processors without having to re-qualify the platform. Customers can continue using previously purchased port replicators, docking stations and accessories as they upgrade to new technology, further protecting their investment.

Unprecedented Configuration Flexibility

The Tecra 8000 delivers increased performance through the Mobile Pentium III processor at 500MHz with 256KB of integrated Level 2 cache and a 100MHz system bus. The 100MHz system bus expedites applications by accessing information in the main memory faster. Further increasing overall system performance, the Tecra provides the latest high-speed PC100 memory, expandable to an abundant 256MB. The Tecra 8000 also now offers new 18GB hard drives to maximize storage capabilities for large databases and applications.

With 22,680 possible configurations, the Tecra 8000 series provides more BTO options than any other mobile computer with customized system delivery in as few as three business days. The current Tecra 8000 BTO options include:

Processors: Pentium III 500MHz, Pentium II 400MHz or Pentium II

366MHz

Memory: PC100 memory, starting at 32MB and expandable to

256MB

Hard Drives: 18.1(a), 14.1, 10.1 or 6.4 billion byte

Display: 14.1-inch TFT (1024x768)

DVD/CD-ROM: 4X DVD-ROM or 24X CD-ROM (max speed)

Communications: Integrated V.90/K56flex modem

O/S: Windows(R)95, Windows 98 or Windows NT 4.0 (optional

utility support

Toshiba also offers a featured configuration that is available in high volume. Priced at $3,999, the featured configuration has a Pentium III processor at 500MHz, 64MB of PC100 memory, 14.1-inch TFT display, 10.1 billion byte hard drive, 4X DVD-ROM (max speed) and Windows 98.

New Customized Service and Support Offerings

Toshiba offers warranty plans that can be built into the customer's BTO configuration at the time of purchase. In addition to the standard warranty, customers can now enhance their support offerings with Toshiba's On.Call service, Notebook Depot Express service and SystemGuard(SM) accidental damage coverage. All Tecra 8000 series notebooks come standard with a three-year parts and labor warranty including Toshiba's Notebook Depot repair program that allows for a notebook to be shipped to a depot, repaired and returned anywhere in the United States. Additionally, the units are backed by Toshiba's service and support, available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week through Toshiba's InTouch(SM) Center. Online support is available via the Web, CompuServe Online Forum and the Electronic Solutions Bulletin Board.

Innovative Software Solutions Save Customers Time

Toshiba makes selecting and reloading operating system software and utilities simpler, less time-consuming and more cost-effective than traditional methods with its Configuration Builder CD. With an intuitive Windows interface, end-users, resellers and IT departments can easily create a customized system image in less than one hour with just a few clicks of a button.

Giving corporate customers the ability to better manage their investment, the Tecra 8000 also offers a comprehensive package of manageability software that enables asset tagging, system inventory management and continuous system monitoring.

Pricing and Availability

With prices starting at $3,500, the Tecra 8000 with the Mobile Pentium III processor at 500MHz will be available in late October through Toshiba's traditional distribution channels, VARs and mail order partners.

About Toshiba America Information Systems Inc.