Toshiba on Monday launched a desktop-replacement notebook with an HD DVD drive, plowing ahead with its support of the high-definition format, even as the market appears to turn in favor of rival Blu-ray. The Satellite P205-S6347 is powered by an Intel Centrino Duo processor and has a 17-inch screen and Dolby Sound Room technology for higher-quality audio. The mobile PC also comes with a built-in Webcam and microphone, and supports the latest Wi-Fi standard.
Toshiba is among the biggest supporters of HD DVD, choosing not to support Blu-ray in any of its products. Major supporters of the latter high-definition format include Sony, which has done a lot to drive Blu-ray sales by adding a supporting DVD player in PlayStation 3, the latest version of the company's popular video game console. Toshiba launched its first notebook with an HD DVD drive, the Qosmio G35, in May 2006.
The optical drives in the Qosmio and Satellite can only read HD DVD content. Sales of HD DVD disks have been outpaced by Blu-ray. In the first quarter of this year, sales of Blu-ray movie DVDs have accounted for more than 60% of the market, according to market researcher Nielsen VideoScan.
Toshiba last month slashed its North American sales target for HD DVD players and recorders this year to 1 million from 1.8 million, because of disappointing sales in the United States. The new Satellite is the latest product to support 802.
11n Draft 2.0, the latest Wi-Fi standard that's expected to be approved shortly by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The technology, which is found in Intel's Centrino Duo chip, offers five times the throughput and almost twice the range of its predecessors.
The Satellite P205-S6347 is available through Toshiba's Web site and major consumer electronics stores. Pricing starts at $1,450. Toshiba on Monday launched a desktop-replacement notebook with an HD DVD drive, plowing ahead with its support of the high-definition format, even as the market appears to turn in favor of rival Blu-ray.
News RSS