Toshiba launches two new mobile notebook PCs, reinforces regional market leadership

The new offerings are set to further accelerate Toshiba's market leadership, as reported by the latest industry results which establish the company as one of the leading brands in the Middle East.

Released simultaneously, Toshiba's new Satellite A50 and Satellite A60 notebooks feature the latest Intel technology, and are designed to appeal to a vast spectrum of users who seek mobile connectivity, extra functionality and superior performance.

Announcing the details, Matthias Blank, acting regional manager of Toshiba's Middle East Computer Systems Division, said the two new Satellite series were a timely response to increasing market demands for advanced functionality.

"Toshiba continues to deliver sturdy, sleek and powerful business tools that allow computer users to make a seamless transition to a more mobile and productive work environment. The new Satellite A50 and A60 are both designed to address a variety of users and can be used just as easily for mobile work, homework, Internet access or e-mail, while also supporting versatile PC entertainment options such as making home DVDs and online gaming," explained Blank.

Both new models in the Satellite series feature the latest Intel Pentium M or Celeron M processors, offer up to 60GB hard disk drives and up to 512MB of RAM, and feature an impressive 15" XGA TFT display screen - ideal desktop replacements that are fast and powerful enough to run complex office applications and gaming features, simultaneously.

The Satellite A50 and A60 series signal the increasing popularity of a new international trend, with its choice of DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, DVD-R/RW or DVD Super-Multi drive options, making it a comprehensive digital entertainment centre.

Furthermore, in a first for the region, the A60 series also features Sonic RecordNow! - a popular software for burning and copying CDs and DVDs, and Intervideo Win DVD Creator Platinum 2 - the new generation DVD-making programme that can create high quality DVDs in a fraction of time. Users can expect to move seamlessly from making audio CDs, to copying data DVDs, or even, creating their own DVDs, all with a few clicks and within a familiar user interface environment.

Together, they deliver a rich multimedia experience and symbolise best computing performance for the consumer on-the-go, making it suitable for wireless work, work or play. Like all Toshiba mobiles, the two new Satellite models carry the company's unique three-year international warranty across all models.

The launch of the two new products has come on the heels of industry reports that peg Toshiba as one of the market leaders in the region.

According to independent market specialist International Data Corporation (IDC), Toshiba has shown significant sales growth in the UAE and Saudi Arabia during the first quarter of 2004, recording an increase of 159 percent - to 6,788 units - and 96 percent - to 6,251 units - respectively. The growth rate is in comparison to the same period last year.

"Our product range continues to be forerunners of mobile computing technology and because all new models are now released in the Middle East at the same time as they first reach international markets, customers here have instant access to the latest systems," stated Blank. "We have a dedicated network of financially sound and market-reputable distribution partner, and together with our renewed focus on market segmentation, we foresee even more growth in the immediate future."