Toshiba Unveils Mini-Notebook PC
17 April, 1996
World's Smallest and Lightest PC with Windows 95 Launched in Japan
TOKYO -- Toshiba Corporation today announced the introduction of the world's first mini-notebook personal computer to combine super-small dimensions and light weight with the power and capabilities of a fully-featured design running Windows 95 and its application software. The new notebook PC, Libretto 20, is available from today, in the Japanese market only. Libretto 20, is only 210mm x 115mm x 34mm and weighs in as a super- featherweight at approximately 840g, yet it incorporates a 65,536 color 6.1-inch TFT color LCD, an 88-key keyboard, a newly designed pointing device, a high-capacity lithium-ion secondary battery and super-thin hard disk drive. Microsoft Windows 95 is pre-installed, giving users access to the vast MS-DOS and Windows libraries of application software. Key business application software, including Microsoft Works for Windows 95 and Lotus Organizer R2.1J, is also pre-installed. Libretto 20's size is not at the expense of functionality. The mini-notebook incorporates a high-performance CPU, equivalent to DX4 with a clock speed of 75MHz, and 8 megabytes (MB) of main memory, expandable all the way to 20MB. System expandability is provided by a single Type II PCMCIA card slot, allowing Libretto 20 to use card modems, CD-ROM drives and other add-on devices developed for notebook computers. Toshiba expects Libretto 20 to meet demand for a wallet-sized PC weighing less than one kilogram that maintains full compatibility with the subnotebook, notebook and desktop PCs used in business. Libretto 20 is the first mini-size notebook PC to incorporate Windows 95 and to bring its ease-of-use to this segment of the PC market. Introducing Libretto 20
Main features of the Libretto 20 Mini-Notebook PC
- The world's smallest and lightest computer capable of running Windows 95 results from Toshiba's development of a new high-performance LSI integrating the main chip sets, and a new 8.45mm super-slim 2.5-inch HDD with a 270MB capacity. Compactness does not sacrifice ease-of-use: Libretto 20's 88-key keyboard is compatible with the 106-key OADG DOS/V keyboard that is standard for DOS/V personal computers in Japan. A newly developed pointing device allows one-handed operation.
- High-speed graphic accelerator, CL-GD7548, allows simultaneous display of 65,536 colors on a 6.1-inch TFT color LCD.
- Small AC adapter (100 x 50 x 25mm) and lithium ion battery, the latter good for 2-3 hours of operation from a single charge. An optional large-volume battery pack allows up to 6 hours of operation.
- High-speed CPU, equivalent to DX4 (75MHz). Main memory is 8MB, expandable up to 20MB.
- One PCMCIA slot (Type II) offers expandability and supports a wide range of PC cards, including a SCSI card facilitating connection to a CD-ROM drive and an asynchronous modem card for PC communications. Further expansion is provided by an optional floppy disk drive and an adapter for a Type III PC card.
- A wide range of pre-installed software: Windows 95, plus a wide range of useful business applications, including Microsoft Works integrated application software, Lotus Organizer R2.1J personal information manager software, a software guide to Japanese rail routes, timetables and fares, and a Japanese-English dictionary. The software is compressed for installation in the 270MB 2.5-inch HDD, reserving approximately 120MB capacity for users' other software and documents. (CTA model).
- Libretto 20 supports PC to PC and peripheral communication via an infrared communication interface that meets both the IrDA and ASK standards.
- Resume, which holds the contents of the memory when the computer is switched off, is enhanced by a hibernation function that stores the contents of memory in the hard disk drive as a precaution against sudden loss of battery power.
- In addition to the incorporated I/O adapter for serial and printer ports, an optional floppy disk drive (via PC card) and an optional PC card adapter for a Type III PC card are also available.
- Microsoft Internet Explorer is also pre-installed. Users with an optional modem card who subscribe to an on-line service can use it to surf the Internet.
-
Note:
-
- Libretto: From the Italian, 'small book.'
- IrDA: is the Infrared Data Association. A standard protocol for infrared data transmission now supported by more than 80 companies, including HP, DEC and IBM.
- ASK: a method for infrared data transmission developed by Sharp and used in its Zaurus electronic organizer.
Main specifications of Liberetto 20
-
Note:
-
- MS-DOS, Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
- The official name of Windows is the Microsoft Windows Operating System.
|