IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 1999 -- Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. (TAIS), Computer Systems Group (CSG) Monday announced the first 4.8-pound ultraportable Toshiba personal digital projector.

Designated the TDP-B1, the 2.5-inch thin projector will be sold as a complement to the company's popular Tecra and Portege notebook products, easing the cumbersome travel demands of today's highly mobile presenters.

The TDP-B1 presentation solution is the first in a series of important solutions-oriented initiatives from Toshiba's newly formed Solutions Group whose goal is to answer customers' business computing challenges.

"Today's news typifies the type of technology integration the Solutions Group is developing to better address specific customer needs," said John Madigan, vice president of marketing, systems and solutions, TAIS CSG.

"We've combined our enterprise notebook products, Tecra and Portege, with a projector and carrying case and demonstrated to our loyal mobile customers that we understand their need for a presentation package that delivers portability, performance and value."

Projector Market

Projectors have revolutionized the way presentations are delivered today. They enable a full multimedia experience that includes light, sound and video that are easy to prepare and present, thanks to today's robust presentation software and high-performance notebook computers. According to industry analysts, the ultraportable projector market is poised for tremendous growth as a result of declining hardware costs and increasing performance capabilities.

"PC users, such as sales teams, executives and instructors have demanded a solution like this for some time," said Madigan. "By searching outside our traditional hardware sphere, we are now providing customers with an excellent solution to their mobile presentation challenges."

Portability and Technological Superiority

At 2.5-inches thin and weighing in at 4.8-pounds light, the TDP-B1 illuminates a new level of presentation capabilities for today's trend-setting mobile professional. Featuring the latest in Digital Light Processing(TM) technology from Texas Instruments, the TDP-B1 delivers film-like image quality with true-to-life color fidelity. Native XGA resolution dynamically recreates computer or video displays for the ultimate in accuracy and detail.

With 650 ANSI lumens of lamp brightness, the TDP-B1 is powerful enough to display in challenging conditions, including fully-lit rooms. A built-in zoom lens enables one-touch image sizing without moving the projector and effortless "plug-and-project" usability features such as auto-tracking, auto-source detect and auto- positioning to help keep presenters focused on their audience, not their presentation tools.

Convenient Carrying Cases Complete the Package

Making it easier for customers to transport their mobile presentation devices, Toshiba offers customers who purchase the TDP-B1 ultraportable projector solution with any featured Toshiba enterprise notebook a free, customized carrying case that accommodates both. When paired with one of Toshiba's popular Portege or Tecra notebooks, the TDP-B1 provides superb on-the-go functionality, backed by the reliability of an industry leader.

Toshiba Service & Support

Toshiba offers comprehensive service and support and warranty programs to enhance customers' ongoing computing experiences. The TDP-B1 ultraportable projector comes standard with a leading two-year parts and labor warranty for all components (excluding the lamp which is covered for 90 days).

Additionally, the projector is backed by Toshiba's service and support, available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week through Toshiba's InTouch(SM) Center. Online support is available via Toshiba's Web- assistant, Ask IRIS who can be contacted at www.support.toshiba.com.

Availability

Toshiba's Mobile Presentation Solution will be available beginning in December through the company's traditional reseller channel. Estimated pricing for a complete Mobile Presentation Solution including a Portege 3110CT notebook with a 300MHz Pentium II processor, 64MB of memory and a 6.4 billion byte hard disk drive, a TDP-B1 projector and carrying case is $8,298. Pricing will vary depending on total package configuration.

About Toshiba America Information Systems Inc.

Toshiba continues to be the world's leading vendor for portable computers with 16.6 percent market share worldwide in Q2 '99, according to International Data Corp. The company offers portable, desktop and server computing solutions for business customers under the Toshiba brand name. For more information, call 800/TOSHIBA or visit the company's Web site at http://www.computers.toshiba.com.

Dealer referrals and brochures are located at http://www.buy.toshiba.com.

With headquarters in Irvine, and annual sales of approximately $2.5 billion, TAIS is comprised of six divisions, organized into two business groups, which manufacture, market and service a wide range of business and information-oriented products in the United States and Latin America.

Products include portable and desktop computers; voice mail systems; digital business telephone systems; interactive voice response systems; network systems and digital cameras.

TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America Inc., a subsidiary of the $42 billion Toshiba Corp., the seventh largest computer and electronics company and the world's 26th largest industrial corporation in terms of sales. Toshiba Corp. is a world leader in high-technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide.

CONTACT:
Benjamin Group/BSMG Worldwide
Colleen Raley or Elizabeth Schilling
714/245-7500 (ext. 237 or 211)
colleen_raley@benjamingroup.com
elizabeth_schilling@benjamingroup.com