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Toshiba updates ‘desktop replacement’ notebook line

Plus: hard drives, and Dell printers and monitors galore

Reg Kit Watch

Notebooks

Toshiba has introduced three new notebooks, the Satellite A20-S207, A25-S207 and A25-S307, all aimed at customers looking to replace desktop PCs with something more portable.

The S207s are based on a 2.66GHz Pentium 4 processor, the S307 on the 2.8GHz version of the chip. Every machine offers a base 512MB of SDRAM, 15in LCD, built-in 56Kbps modem, 10/100 Ethernet, integrated 802.11b wireless networking, an SD slot and three USB 2.0 ports.

The S207s also feature a 40GB hard drive and a combo DVD/CR-RW drive. The S307 adds built-in 802.11a, a 60GB hard drive and DVD/R-RW optical storage. The A20-S207 and A25-S307 ship with Windows XP Home Edition; the A25-S207 with XP Pro.

All three models are available in the US now, for $1499 (A25-S207), $1579 (A20-S207) and $1899 (A25-S307).

Incidentally, Toshiba's UK operation today cut the prices across its Satellite Pro 2100 and 6100 ranges, bringing the 1.8GHz Celeron based 2100 to £599, the 1.9GHz Pentium 4-M version to £799, the 1.7GHz Pentium 4-based 6100 desktop replacement to £749, and the 6100 with a 1.8GHz P4-M to £799.

Hard Drives

Toshiba has introduced its latest notebook-friendly 2.5in hard drive, the 80GB MK8028GAS, packed in a slimline 9.5mm high case.

The four-head, two-platter ATA-6 drive weighs only 98g (3.5oz) and spins at 4200rpm. It can stand operational shocks of up to 200G and non-operating shocks of up to 800G. The drive consumes 2.3W of power when operating, and 0.7W when placed in stand-by mode.

The drive contains 8MB of buffer and has an average seek time of 12ms.

Toshiba is also offering a two-head, single-platter 40GB version, the MA4025GAS.



Maxtor

said yesterday that is has begun shipping its 300GB ATA drive to retailers. The highest capacity ATA drive in the world, according to Maxtor, the unit offers an Ultra ATA/133 interface, support for which is provided by a bundled PCI card.



That may help counteract the drives relatively low spin speed: it's a 5400rpm drive, whereas the standard for mort high performance units its 7200rpm.

The 300GB drive costs $399.95.

Monitors

Dell has introduced two UltraSharp flat-panel displays, the first in its new line of redesigned LCD monitors.

The 17in 1703Fp and 19in 1901FP feature a tilt and swivel stand allowing the screens to be used in portrait and landscape modes, and the display to be raised up to 13cm above the desktop. The stand can be removed to allow the display to be mounted on a wall.

Both monitors provide four USB 2.0 ports - two in front and two at the rear - to make it easier to connect devices on the desktop if your computer's on the floor.

The LCDs themselves offer a 600:1 contrast ratio, 25ms response time and an 85-degree viewing angle. Their native resolution is 1024 x 768 with a 60Hz refresh rate. Both are driven through analog VGA or digital DVI inputs.

The 1703FP and 1901FP cost $499 and $740, respectively, and go on sale in the US next month.

Printers

Dell also extended its printer line-up today with three new models, the Workgroup Laser M5200n, the Personal Inkjet J740 and the Personal All-in-One A920.

The former offers speeds of up to 35ppm and is the first printer to include Dell's Printer Configuration Web Tool, which the company claims simplifies networked printer management by emailing out-of-paper, low-toner and other alerts to its administrator. The M5200n costs $999.

The $99 J740 is a fast inkjet printer - 18ppm black; 14ppm colour - with borderless printing for photos. The A920 is a typical printer-cum-scanner-cum-fax machine, and is priced $89.

All three machines went on sale in the US today, and will be offered elsewhere "later this year". ®

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