Toshiba Unveils Mobile Pentium II Processors in Three Notebooks

Strategic Insights -

Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., the country's leading manufacturer of portable computers, has introduced three notebooks with nine configurations, bringing Mobile Pentium II processing power to a wide range of customers. The Satellite Pro 490 series and Tecra 780 series offer the power to choose the price point and feature set that best meets their needs, setting the pace for Toshiba's effort to lead the transition to the Mobile Pentium II processor.

The new notebooks feature Intel's 266MHz and 233MHz Mobile Pentium II processors, delivering 31 percent faster performance than previous generations. The Satellite Pro 490 series offers a 20X maximum speed CD-ROM, CardBus, Zoomed Video technology, and stereo speakers, providing a flexible mobile solution. The Tecra 780 series, on the other hand, offers leading-edge technology and innovative feature-set, making it an ideal platform for power users.

Key Takeaways:

  • Toshiba's Satellite Pro 490 series brings the latest processor technology to the Satellite Pro family with prices starting near $3,500.
  • The Satellite Pro 490 series offers the industry's best price/performance ratio, incorporating large displays, huge hard drives, ample memory, and fast modems.
  • The Tecra 780 series offers leading-edge technology and innovative feature-set, making it an ideal platform for power users.
  • The Tecra 780 series features Intel's new 266MHz Mobile Pentium II processor and a large 8.1 billion byte or 5.1 billion byte Ultra DMA hard drive.
  • Both the Satellite Pro 490 series and Tecra 780 series offer improved 2D graphics performance by up to 60 percent and advanced support for simultaneous displays at different resolutions.
  • Toshiba's new Tecra 780 series includes a 20X maximum speed CD-ROM drive, 4MB of fast SDRAM video memory, S3's ViRGE/MX 3D graphics accelerator with DuoView technology, and Dolby AC-3 digital surround sound support.
  • Toshiba offers flexible financing and leasing programs, comprehensive service and support, and warranty programs to enhance customers' computing experience.
  • The Tecra 780 series offers advanced communications capabilities with an integrated K56flex voice/video/fax modem and Internet-based video conferencing with the Noteworthy Business Video Phone with ProShare technology.

Statistics:

  • Toshiba continues to be the leading vendor in the U.S. market for portable computers with 20.4 percent market share in 1997, according to International Data Corp.
  • The new Mobile Pentium II processors deliver 31 percent faster performance than previous generations.
  • The Satellite Pro 490 series offers a 20X maximum speed CD-ROM drive.
  • The Tecra 780 series features a 266MHz Mobile Pentium II processor.
  • Toshiba's new notebooks offer improved 2D graphics performance by up to 60 percent.

Sources:

  • "Toshiba Unveils Mobile Pentium II Processors in Three Notebooks" - Toshiba America Information Systems Inc.
  • International Data Corp.
  • Intel Corporation.