Toshiba and Microsoft deliver world's first notebook with active email notification

This latest notebook is the result of over two years of joint development efforts and sets a new benchmark for "anytime, anywhere" mobile computing as well as underpinning Toshiba's commitment to lead the industry on innovation.

The Toshiba Portégé R400 is the world's first notebook to deliver real-time email active notification over a 3G network. Using Microsoft Active Notifications, the notebook can receive real-time alerts, email and calendar updates. The Portégé R400 automatically checks and downloads full emails with attachments, as well as checking, updating and synchronising calendar items, even when the notebook is closed or the operating system is in suspend mode.

"From the earliest stages of its conception, the Portégé R400 was designed and engineered for Vista Ultimate. It is the result of an unprecedented working relationship between Microsoft and Toshiba," said Santosh Varghese, Regional General Manager for Toshiba Computer Systems Division Middle East.

"The leading edge design and functionality, coupled with its status as the world's first notebook PC capable of real-time email notification over a 3G network, reinforces the Toshiba brand as one of the most prestigious in mobile computing."

Also found exclusively on the Portégé R400 is a secondary display located on the front edge of the notebook called the Toshiba Edge Display, which further enhances the functionality of the notebook's automatic and synchronised email capabilities. This simple, yet critical, digital display delivers alert notifications, email headers and calendar updates. The Toshiba Edge Display enables users to easily monitor their inbox and calendar activity without opening the notebook.

"The demand for state-of-the-art notebook PC's is ever-increasing in the Saudi market and we are confident that the Portege R400 will be well received in KSA. GITEX Saudi is the perfect platform to launch this innovative new product,"

said Abdul Aziz Al-Noghaither, General Manager for Arabian Business Machines Co., Toshiba's distributor in Saudi Arabia.

Andrew Brown, Lead Analyst on Mobile Computing at IDC, said: "While a combination of increasingly smart mobile devices and push email solutions have revolutionised the way people communicate through the medium of email, the computer remains at the hub in terms of productivity and information creation. In these terms, the relationship between Microsoft and Toshiba represents a significant breakthrough in mobile computing."

As well as these innovative features, the Portégé R400 sets a new standard for ultra-portable notebook design. Housed in a striking white and black colour scheme, the notebook delivers a combination of elegance and computing performance to mobile workers. It is a distinctive and sophisticated tool for business executives, entrepreneurs and technology enthusiasts alike.

Brown added: "There is a trend towards consumerisation in the business market and Toshiba is well placed ahead of the curve with the launch of this device. The PC market is desperate for differentiation with features and design being a big part of that. Toshiba's Portégé R400 stands out in a class of its own in terms of business features and consumer design."

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

The Portégé R400 benefits from Toshiba's exclusive EasyGuard technology, which employs a multi-pronged approach to security to guard against unauthorised access, data theft and virtual attacks. The inclusion of the Trusted Platform Module and integrated biometric fingerprint reader also further reinforces user confidence that their system will remain uncompromised. To know more please visit: www.love-to-lead.com

The Portégé R400 will be available in the Middle East by Q2 2007. Price and specific model numbers will be announced at this time.

Even more features...

To support Microsoft's Active Notifications over 3G Networks, the Portégé R400 has a 3G/UMTS module capable of up to 3.6 Mbps download and 384Kbps upload over an HSDPA network, providing users with the fastest HSDPA communication currently available in Europe. To support such high data connection speeds, the Portégé R400 is equipped with two 3G antennas (diversity antenna), to ensure a more reliable and optimised data stream.

The Portégé R400 also features Toshiba's proprietary ConfigFree software to ensure information is sent and received via the fastest and most reliable route possible. ConfigFree enables the notebook to create network connection profiles and easily switches between the best locations and communication networks available. The standard Portégé R400 configuration includes 3G/UMTS/HSDPA, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and Bluetooth technologies.