Toshiba Announces AMD-Powered Notebooks

New Satellite A215 Series Incorporates AMD’s Processing and Graphics Technologies for Rich Multimedia Experience

Toshiba’s Digital Products Division, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today launched the new AMD-powered mobile Satellite A215 notebook computer series. Toshiba’s Satellite A215 series features several variations of AMD’s most advanced family of dual-core processors made for mobility, including the AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology Gold Edition TL64 found in the Satellite A215-S4767.

“The introduction of an AMD-based mobile computing solution allows Toshiba to broaden its appeal to a wider audience by enhancing the company’s already successful notebook computer line,” said Jeff Barney, vice president of marketing, Digital Products Division, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. “Toshiba based its decision to launch a notebook computer line featuring AMD technology on retailer interest and consumer demand. Toshiba is confident the market will embrace the opportunity to purchase a Toshiba notebook that is powered by AMD technology.”

Satellite A215 series users will experience high-performance, leading-edge graphics capabilities, smooth video playback, increased wireless network performance and enhanced energy efficiency for extended battery life as a result of AMD’s Turion 64 X2 dual-core mobile technology. The Satellite A215 is Toshiba’s first AMD-based notebook computer since 2000.

“We have seen increased consumer demand over the past two years for AMD-based platforms and this offering helps round out Toshiba’s product portfolio,” said Samir Bhavnani, research director at Current Analysis West.

To maximize the multimedia functionality of the Satellite A215 series, Toshiba equipped the notebook series with ATI Radeon X1200 graphics, a large capacity Serial-ATA hard drive, a DVD SuperMulti drive and a 15.4-inch diagonal widescreen TruBrite display–capable of supporting 720p high definition content. Select configurations of the Satellite A215 series feature integrated 1.3 megapixel Webcams and Labelflash™ technology. The webcam is ideal for video conferencing with friends and family, as well as a tool for enhancing personal multimedia projects. Labelflash allows users to burn high-quality images and text onto specially coated DVD-R disks for a more finished and professional look as well as a clean way to organize extensive disc collections.

To round out the multimedia experience of the Satellite A215 series, Toshiba outfitted the notebook with Dolby Sound Room™ technology to deliver amazing virtual surround sound from stereo speakers or any pair of headphones. This surround sound technology is designed for environments where multiple speakers are neither practical nor possible and consists of the following technologies: Dolby Digital, Dolby Headphone and Dolby Virtual Speaker.

The new AMD-based Satellite A215 series is currently available at http://www.toshibadirect.com and a variety of major consumer electronics and computer stores nationwide. The following configurations demonstrate two of the various specifications and price options available with the Satellite A215 series:

Satellite A215-S4767 Featured Configuration (ESUP $1,299.99)

• Genuine Windows Vista™ Ultimate (32-bit version)
• AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology Gold Edition TL64
• 2048MB DDR2 SDRAM memory (Maximum capacity 4096MB)
• 250GB (4200 RPM); Serial-ATA hard disk drive
• DVD SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) with LabelFlash™ drive supporting 11 formats
• 15.4-inch diagonal widescreen TruBrite display
• 1280 x 800 native resolution (WXGA)
• ATI Radeon X1200 with 128-319MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory
• Built-in stereo speakers
• Atheros 802.11b/g wireless-LAN
• Embedded Webcam and microphone
• Fingerprint Reader

Satellite A215-S4757 Featured Configuration (ESUP $899.99)

• Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium (32-bit version)
• AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TL56
• 2048MB DDR2 SDRAM memory (Maximum capacity 4096MB)
• 250GB (4200 RPM); Serial-ATA hard disk drive
• DVD SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) with LabelFlash™ drive supporting 11 formats
• 15.4-inch diagonal widescreen TruBrite display
• 1280 x 800 native resolution (WXGA)
• ATI Radeon X1200 with 128-319MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory
• Built-in stereo speakers
• Atheros 802.11b/g wireless-LAN
• Embedded Webcam and microphone