Tablet computer sales prove a tonic for Toshiba

Figures for the first quarter of 2003, just released by independent IT market researcher Dataquest, give Toshiba products well over one-third of all tablet PC sales in the region excluding South Africa.

And the market share for the Middle East and Africa region as a whole is only slightly lower at 33.5 per cent.

Although a newcomer to the tablet PC sector, Toshiba has established a reputation as a real innovator.

Strong initial demand for its tablet offering - the Portege 3500 - grew exponentially since launching late last year, according to Ahmed Khalil, Middle East regional manager of the company's computer systems division.

Soaring sales since then are reflected in the Dataquest figures for the first quarter of 2003, he says.

The Portege 3500 is marketed as combining the power and functionality of a notebook computer with the simplicity and convenience of pen and paper, marrying Toshiba and Microsoft technologies to enhance the capabilities of mobile computing and allowing users to communicate with their notebook in a more natural way.

In tablet mode, the Portege 3500 works just like a regular writing pad, giving users the same experience as if holding a traditional 295 x 234 mm notepad.

They can write directly on the screen with the tablet pen to create drawings, write notes, annotate documents or send e-mail - all in their own handwriting. Handwritten messages can be saved as they are, or converted to digital text.

"The product is a direct result of listening to our customers and delivering a product that will add functionality to their traditional notebook while adding productivity to their business," says Khalil.

"Because Toshiba has focused on mobile computing and solutions for more than fifteen years, we have a unique understanding of what our customers need and want for a new era of mobile working, Toshiba is known for its expertise in delivering inventive computing platforms, and by adding the pen-based simplicity of the Tablet PC, has taken mobile computing to a whole new level and this is reflected in the enthusiastic market response to the new product."

Toshiba already holds a 28 per cent market share across the entire range of mobile computers in the Middle East. It is market leader in four ME countries, running a close second in the rest, and aims to be number one overall before long.