Toshiba Intros New Laptops, Dual-Format DVD Burners
By Doug Olenick -- TWICE, 4/5/2004
Irvine, Calif.— Toshiba's Storage Device Division has introduced dual-format DVD burners for the desktop and notebook computer markets.
Toshiba has offered dual-format DVD burners in its Satellite notebook line, but these are its first aftermarket dual-format drives.
The SD-R5272 is a half-height internal PC drive that is now available direct from Toshiba for $149. It features 8x Dash and Plus write, 4x Dash and Plus rewrite speeds. CD rewrite and write speeds are 10x and 32x, respectively. The drive is bundled with Nero DVD/CD burning software.
The SD-R6372 is being shipped exclusively into the notebook OEM market. Its Dash and Plus write speed is 4x, with discs being rewritten in both formats at 2x. There are no plans to sell this drive into the retail channel.
In other Toshiba news, the company launched the latest installment in its Windows Media Center-equipped notebook computer line this week, the Satellite P25-S670.
The model features a 3.2GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with HyperThreading technology, an 80GB hard drive, 512MB RAM, a 17-inch widescreen display, NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5700 128MB graphics processor, TV tuner and 802.11a/g wireless networking. It also includes S-video, component video out, Harman/Kardon speakers and digital optical out port and progressive scan DVD multiformat drive, enabling the unit to play 5.1 Digital Surround Sound.
The unit has just started shipping with a $2,699 estimated street price.
Also joining Toshiba's Satellite line this week is the M35-S320. With its mid-range price of $1,799, the notebook is targeted at families and students. It is powered by a 1.5GHz Intel Pentium M processor utilizing Centrino mobile technology. It has a 60GB hard drive, 512MB of RAM, CD-RW/DVD drive, and NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 graphics card with 32MB of memory. Unlike its more expensive cousin, the S320 uses Microsoft's Windows XP operating system. This model also started shipping this week.
