Powerful New Toshiba Qosmio is World's First HD Notebook with HD DVD-R/RW Drive

Toshiba's Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced the availability of the Qosmio(R) G45-AV690--the latest iteration of its cutting-edge high-definition notebook computer series--and world's first notebook to feature an HD DVD-R/RW optical drive.

LAS VEGAS (Business Wire EON) January 6, 2008 -- Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced the availability of the Qosmio^® G45-AV690—the latest iteration of its cutting-edge high-definition notebook computer series—and world’s first notebook to feature an HD DVD-R/RW optical drive.

The Qosmio continues to lead the computer industry in terms of high-definition capabilities by bringing many of the most advanced technologies together into a solid and cohesive machine

With an HD DVD-R/RW optical drive, the Qosmio notebook provides users with a versatile, state-of-the-art multimedia machine that can burn, erase and re-burn data, including home-videos, entire photo albums and music libraries onto a single HD DVD¹ rewritable disc. The drive can also play today’s most popular HD DVD movies in the highest quality possible. While today’s DVD format has a maximum playback resolution of 480p, next-generation HD DVD represents the convergence of high-definition with the widespread appeal of the DVD format. HD DVD Technology provides an unsurpassed experience with an image resolution that is up to six times sharper. The end result is a visual experience with brighter colors, enhanced details and greater overall image sharpness.

Designed to be a truly interactive medium, HD DVD delivers an unprecedented experience that will change how people watch and enjoy their movies. Available to users are features, such as picture-in-picture director’s commentary, online bonus content and instant scene book-marking, for instant access to a user’s favorite scenes on-the-fly. Unlike today’s DVD viewing experience, many HD DVD interactive features can be enjoyed while the film is being viewed. Additionally, an HD DVD enabled notebook is compatible with today’s standard-definition DVD titles, ensuring that a user’s collection of DVD movies is not left obsolete.

For a limited time, with the purchase of a Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV690 notebook, consumers qualify to receive five HD DVD movie titles for free, from a selection of 15 popular titles, via a mail-in offer. Eligible models and complete offer details are available at www.toshibadirect.com/hddvdpc, and the promotion is valid until February 28, 2008.

“The Qosmio continues to lead the computer industry in terms of high-definition capabilities by bringing many of the most advanced technologies together into a solid and cohesive machine,” said Jeff Barney, vice president of marketing, Digital Products Division, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. “In a digital world that is driven by power cloaked in simplicity, the Qosmio G45-AV690 is the central hub of a user’s personal Digital Ecosystem, providing users with the ability to enjoy their HD content, while expressing themselves more fully in a digital world, and using HD DVD as a personal means of doing so.”

To maximize the functionality of the Qosmio and its HD DVD-R/RW drive, the digital lifestyle application Ulead^® DVD MovieFactory^® for TOSHIBA is installed as part of the systems standard configuration. Through such value-adding software Qosmio users can easily import and edit high-definition and standard digital home movie footage to create personal family masterpieces.

The Qosmio is built around a stunning 17-inch diagonal widescreen Ultimate TruBrite™ display that delivers a full HD 1080p experience. The Qosmio can also be integrated into the user’s home theater system thanks to the built-in HDMI output which can send 1080p high definition video to a 1080p HDTV along with 5.1 digital audio. Now with Toshiba’s implementation and support of REGZA LINK (HDMI-CEC), the Qosmio can be connected to other Regza Link enabled devices and controlled using a single remote control. The Qosmio also includes an OpenCable™ (OCUR) HDTV tuner for viewing and recording live digital HD and analog TV programming from a high definition antenna (ATSC) or from a digital cable service (requires installation of a CableCard™ from your service provider).

As the most robust high-definition entertainment notebook available, the Qosmio G45 also takes the gaming experience to the next level, by sporting the Intel^® Core™ 2 Duo T9300 processor², NVIDIA’s GeForce 8600M GT GPU³ and Microsoft’s DirectX 10 technology. Together these technologies propel next-generation games to new heights of realism by producing realistic textures in hair, facial, body features and environments.

The Qosmio G45-AV690 has several design features that magnify its cutting edge nature, such as its classic and striking piano-key white glossy finish, shiny silver volume control knob and Qosmio AV Controller with blue backlighting, four Harman Kardon^® Bass Reflex stereo speakers with a built-in subwoofer, a 1-bit Digital Amplifier, Dolby Home Theater^™ technology and a built-in Webcam.

The Qosmio G45 is available at www.toshibadirect.com, as well as a variety of major consumer electronics and computer stores nationwide in the following configuration:

Qosmio G45-AV690 Unique Specifications (ESUP $3,199.99⁴)

• Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate Cable Ready (32-bit version)
• Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300²

• 3072MB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM memory⁵

• 320GB using two (5400 RPM) Serial-ATA hard disk drives⁶

• HD DVD-R/RW (Single Layer)/DVD SuperMulti (+/- double layer) drive (in one optical drive) supporting 14 formats
• OpenCable™ (OCUR) HDTV Tuner (External)
• 17-inch diagonal widescreen Ultimate TruBrite® TFT active-matrix LCD display

• PCI-Express™ x16 graphics subsystem, featuring:

• 1-bit Digital Amplifier
• Four built-in Harman Kardon® Bass Reflex stereo speakers with one Bass Reflex subwoofer
• Dolby Home Theater™
• REGZA LINK (HDMI-CEC)
• Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (802.11a/g/n)⁷
• Remote Control
• Embedded Webcam and microphone
• Fingerprint reader

The Qosmio G45 series is available with a one-year standard, limited warranty⁸, which includes carry-in support at Authorized Service Providers throughout the country; or customers may utilize any of the 4,460 UPS Stores and Mail Boxes Etc. locations nationwide for packaging and delivery of the product to a centralized depot for prompt turnaround service. Customers can also choose to upgrade the notebook’s service plans, including up to four years of extended warranty coverage.

All new Toshiba notebooks are RoHS-compatible⁹, effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances. Toshiba also offers a computer trade-in and recycling program to reduce environmental impact and promote efficient utilization of resources. All Toshiba computers qualify for free recycling, while non-Toshiba computers and other consumer electronic products can be recycled for a small fee. For more information please visit: www.reuse.toshiba.com.

About Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS)

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TAIS is comprised of four business units: Digital Products Division, Imaging Systems Division, Storage Device Division, and Telecommunication Systems Division. Together, these divisions provide mobile products and solutions, including industry leading portable computers; projectors; imaging products for the security, medical and manufacturing markets; storage products for automotive, computer and consumer electronics applications; and telephony equipment and associated applications.

TAIS provides sales, marketing and services for its wide range of information products in the United States and Latin America. TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, which is a global leader in high technology and integrated manufacturing of electrical and electronic components, products and systems, as well as major infrastructure systems. Toshiba has more than 191,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of over US $60 billion (FY2006). For more information on Toshiba’s leading innovations, visit the company’s Web site at www.toshiba.com.

© 2007 Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. All product, service and company names are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Information including without limitation product prices, specifications, availability, content of services, and contact information is subject to change without notice.

1. HD DVD Technology. Because HD DVD is a new format that makes use of new technologies, certain disc, digital connection and other compatibility and/or performance issues are possible. Depending on HD DVD content, you may experience “frame dropping” or lower performance. See HD DVD Technology Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com

2. Processor. CPU performance may vary. See Processor Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com.

3. Graphics. GPU performance may vary. See Graphics Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com.

4. Price. Reseller prices may vary. ESUP means “Estimated Single Unit Price.”

5. Memory. Memory size may vary. See Memory Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com.

6. Hard Disk Drive Capacity. Hard drive capacity may vary. 1 Gigabyte (GB) means 1000 x 1000 x 1000 = 1,000,000,000 bytes using powers of 10. See Hard Disk Drive Capacity Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com.

7. Wireless-N. wireless AGN (802.11a/g/n) adapter is based on a draft release version of the IEEE 802.11n specification and may not be compatible with, or support all features (e.g., security) of, certain Wi-Fi® equipment.

8. Warranty. The terms and conditions of Toshiba’s standard limited warranty, and extended warranty and service upgrade plans are available at www.warranty.toshiba.com.

9. RoHS. This product is compatible with European Union Directive 2002/95/EC. See RoHS legal footnote at www.info.toshiba.com.