Toshiba Brings More Choices to Entry-Level Server Table With New M500D - Toshiba America Information Systems' Pentium III-based system - Product Announcement

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, March 6, 2000

The Computer Systems Group (CSG) of Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. (TAIS) Wednesday announced the M500D, the next-generation, entry-level server featuring dual-processor capability.

The M500D targets the small to medium business, delivering dual-processor performance in a flexible, cost-effective solution for file, print, PC LAN and Internet applications. Along with the company's Magnia line of servers, the M-Series fits into Toshiba's long-term strategy to continue its steady growth in the server market.

Entering the U.S. server market a little more than two years ago, Toshiba was recently named a top ten server manufacturer by International Data Corp.

"We are proud of the position Toshiba servers have taken in the marketplace and the growing adoption of our server products by small and medium businesses," said Jeffrey Friederichs, vice president, general manager of marketing, Toshiba CSG.

"The M500D helps round out our server offering by providing even more options for our customers. Low cost and flexible configuration were the driving forces behind the design of the M500D, making it an ideal option for small-office customers looking for power and speed."

Value-Priced Power and Scalability for Small Networks The M500D server offers considerable speed, expandability and maximum flexibility for a small networking environment at an affordable price point. The server supports dual Intel Pentium III processors at clock speeds up to 700MHz for fast data processing.

Compatible with most small to medium business networks, the M500D will be certified for Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 environments, Novell NetWare 5.0 and 4.2 and Red Hat Linux 6.0.

The M500D is expandable to accommodate small to medium businesses as they grow and need to increase networking capabilities. The server has six I/0 expansion slots, including five 32-bit PCI slots and one AGP card slot. Four memory-expansion slots can support up to 1GB of advanced ECC SDRAM.

Built to give businesses plenty of room to expand their storage capacity, the standard M500D model will support up to four 18GB or 9GB SCSI drives, allowing for a maximum internal storage of 72GB (4x18). The base model will support up to three 13GB or 10GB IDE drives for a maximum internal storage of 39GB (3x13).

To ensure maximum server uptime, the M500D features ECC memory, multiple cooling fans and an optional RAID controller.

Configuration Flexibility for Reseller Customization The M500D server offers two different model configurations for maximum flexibility and BTO scalability. Standard and base models may be customized to provide tailor-made solutions. Standard models come with an Intel 500MHz Pentium III, 600MHz Pentium III, or a 700 MHz Pentium III processor, Ultra2 SCSI controller card, 10/100 Ethernet Interface card and 128MB of high-speed ECC DRAM.

Base models of the M500D are equipped with an Intel 500MHz Pentium III, 600MHz Pentium III, or a 700 MHz Pentium III processor and provide maximum configuration flexibility for reseller customers.

Availability, Pricing and Support The M500D server is now available through Toshiba's authorized network of resellers and dealers. Pricing for the M500D starts at $1,216.

Toshiba's qualified network of authorized service providers, combined with its On.Call Global Network backed by Unisys' global support infrastructure, provides world-class support for Toshiba customers. The standard warranty for the M500D servers is 90 days carry-in and can be upgraded to a variety of other enhanced service options including onsite next business day(1) service.

Toshiba continues to be the world's leading vendor for portable computers with 17.6 percent market share worldwide in Q3 '99, according to International Data Corp. The company offers portable, desktop and server computing solutions for business customers under the Toshiba brand name. For more information, call 800/TOSHIBA or visit the company's Web site at www.computers.toshiba.com. Dealer referrals and brochures are located at www.buy.toshiba.com.

With headquarters in Irvine, with annual sales of approximately $2.5 billion, Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. is comprised of six divisions, organized into two business groups, which manufacture, market and service a wide range of business and information-oriented products in the United States and Latin America.

Products include portable and desktop computers and PC servers; voice-mail systems; digital business telephone systems; interactive voice-response systems; network systems and digital cameras. TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America Inc., a subsidiary of the $52 billion Toshiba Corp., the seventh-largest computer and electronics company and the world's 26th largest industrial corporation in terms of sales.

Toshiba Corp. is a world leader in high-technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide.

Note: (1) For end-user locations within 60 miles of most major U.S. metropolitan areas.