Mobile computer manufacturer Toshiba has unveiled three lightweight products targeted at various consumer segments. Yesterday’s product launch, which consisted of one netbook and two ultraportable computers, also marks Toshiba’s venture into the netbook market. Netbooks are usually defined as small form factor mobile computers that use low-voltage processors.
Toshiba’s maiden netbook offering, the NB100, comes with a backlit 8.9-inch WSVGA LCD panel, with resolution up to 1024 x 600 pixels. The NB100 is powered by Intel’s N270 Atom CPU and runs Microsoft Windows XP.
Other features include a 0.3 megapixel Web camera, an integrated graphics controller, Bluetooth 2.1, wi-fi (802.11b/g), 10/100 ethernet and three USB ports. The NB100 is expected to weigh below 1 kg and come with up to 120 GB of hard disk drive storage space.
According to Toshiba, the netbook is targeted at schoolchildren, senior citizens, and mobile workers who “do not require the processor power or range of functions of a full-sized laptop”.
Toshiba’s second and third offerings, both 12.1-inch models which contain more features and higher-end specifications than the NB100, are aimed primarily at business users.
The PORTEGE A600, which weighs in at 1.46 kg, contains an in-built optical drive, an express card reader, spill-resistant keyboard, and fingerprint recognition for a secure log-on process. The A600 runs on Intel’s Centrino 2 processor and comes with 3GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive.
Connectivity options for the A600 include wi-fi, Bluetooth 2.1, and Gigabit ethernet. A USB cum eSATA combo port on the A600 will provide consumers with the convenience of charging USB devices and connecting eSATA devices using the same port.
Targeted at style-conscious business users, the high-end PORTEGE R600 comes in a silver grey magnesium case and weighs in at just 979g. It features a 128GB solid state disk (SSD) and 7mm DVD SuperMulti Drive. Battery life for the R600 is expected to last up to nine hours due to the SSD’s lower energy consumption compared to standard hard disk drives.
The R600 runs Intel’s Centrino 2 processor and comes with an LED backlit display which Toshiba claims is able to offer clear visibility “both indoors and outdoors” due to a transflective screen, which allows the user to turn off the LED backlight and use an embedded reflecting mirror to avoid light reflection. Standard connectivity options such as wi-fi, Bluetooth 2.1 and Gigabit Ethernet are available.
Like the A600, the R600 also comes with a spill-resistant keyboard and fingerprint reader.
All three laptops are expected to be available in Singapore next month. Prices start at S$799 (US$522) for the NB100, S$3,999 for the A600, and S$4,000 for the R600.
