BIOS: Technology Means Business

Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, has announced the Portégé R400 notebook computer.

Highlighted by two world’s first technologies, the Portégé R400 is the product of a joint collaboration between industry giants, Toshiba and Microsoft, to create the signature Windows Vista PC.

“The goal of this collaboration was to produce a mobile computing solution, which would showcase the expertise of both Toshiba and Microsoft and create the signature Windows Vista PC,” said Mark Simons, vice president and general manager, Toshiba America Information Systems, Digital Products Division. “We are confident the Portégé R400, with its breakthrough technology, will appeal to the highly successful mobile computing user.”

“Together with Toshiba, we wanted to advance the state-of-the-art in mobile computing by designing a notebook computer that takes full advantage of the new mobile PC technologies in Windows Vista,” said Mike Sievert, corporate vice president, Windows at Microsoft. “Our customers will benefit from advances in mobile software capabilities and the fresh approach to style and ergonomics offered by the Portégé R400.”

Toshiba’s Portégé R400 is the world’s first notebook computer with the ability to automatically synchronize e-mail and calendar events through the integration of Microsoft’s Active Notifications. This exclusive technology helps ensure accurate and timely information is available to the user - whether the system is on or in suspend mode. To assist with this synchronisation process, the Portégé R400 features Toshiba’s ConfigFree, which helps detect and connect to the strongest and most reliable network connection available.

To further enhance the functionality of the system’s automatic e-mail synchronisation capabilities, the company added the Toshiba Edge Display to the Portégé R400. Located on the front edge of the Portégé R400, this secondary display serves as the user’s Personal Information Assistant allowing the user to easily monitor his/her inbox and calendar activity. To ensure full benefits of the convertible design, the Toshiba Edge Display is viewable in notebook or tablet mode and even when the unit is stored in a carrying case.

With the Portégé R400, Toshiba is announcing the world’s first wirelessly dockable notebook computer. This seamless approach eliminates the daily hassle of connecting and disconnecting peripherals and delivers the convenience and simplicity that mobile users demand. Through the integration of Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology with wireless digital video capabilities, the Portégé R400 docking experience is designed specifically for desktop use and can automatically connect when the notebook comes within proximity of the Toshiba Wireless Port Replicator. The Toshiba Wireless Port Replicator will be compatible with new Portégé R400 models - both products are targeted for availability in the second quarter of 2007.

As a convertible notebook computer, the Portégé R400 combines a patent pending elevated rotational hinge and a 12.1-inch diagonal widescreen LED backlit high-brightness display with wide viewing angle. This screen technology combined with Microsoft Windows Aero delivers a rich and brilliant visual computing experience.

A bold design statement, Toshiba employed a dramatic white and black colour scheme to the Portégé R400. This distinctive approach delivers a level of elegance and sophistication to satisfy the needs of successful mobile professionals, discriminating technology enthusiasts, C-level executives and small business entrepreneurs. The high-gloss finish of the Portégé R400 features an ultraviolet, clear coat for greater scratch-resistant than standard paint.

The integration of a biometric fingerprint reader, multi-level passwords and a TPM 1.2 encryption module as part of the company’s exclusive EasyGuard technology helps safeguard the Portégé R400 against unauthorised access, data theft, and virtual attacks. This sophisticated, yet simple, strategy helps preserve confidential company data and sensitive personal information to deliver a high level of tranquility to Portégé R400 users.

The Portégé R400 comes with a 3-year standard limited warranty, which includes carry-in support at Authorized Service Providers throughout the country, or the customer may use any of the more than 3000 UPS Stores for packaging and delivery of the product to a centralized depot for prompt service turnaround. Customers can also choose to upgrade the notebook’s service plans, including up to four years of extended service plans.

Toshiba’s Portégé R400 with Genuine Windows Vista Business has a starting price point of $2599. Configurations will also be available with Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate. The Portégé R400 will be available on 30 January through Toshiba’s reseller, mail order partners and direct from www.toshibadirect.com.

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