It weighed a mere 4.1 kg! However, that laptop was much lighter than the IBM PC desktop on which it was based. The T1100 was packed with the latest technology including a 4.77 Mhz Intel 80C88 processor, MS-DOS 2.11 operating system, one 720-kilobyte 3.5-inch floppy disk drive for storage and 512-kilobytes of random access memory (RAM). It had an ultra-modern text only monochrome LCD display. The T1100 retailed for $1,899. Adjusting for inflation, in 2010 dollars that laptop would cost $3,850.

Fast-forward 25 years and Toshiba is still using its R&D centers to create “technology masterpieces.” According to Santosh Varghese, Regional GM, Computer Systems Division, Toshiba Gulf, “inspiration, innovation and craftsmanship” are at the foundation of Toshiba’s ability to deliver quality products.

Toshiba is about to introduce several new mobile computing devices to the Saudi market. These include Europe’s lightest and thinnest, full-function 13” laptop, the Portégé R700 for business and its consumer companion the Satellite R630. There’s also an Android-based mobile Internet device, the Toshiba AC100, which weighs just 800 grams. Toshiba believes the AC100 will attract interest from companies making the shift to cloud computing.

Of special note on Toshiba’s 25th anniversary is the company’s launch of the libretto W100. This next-generation ultra-mobile concept PC offers a full Windows 7 experience that can be enjoyed across two seven-inch multi-touch touch screens. A built-in 3D accelerometer allows the libretto W100 to rotate into portrait or landscape modes. This means that turned sideways, the clamshell shaped device resembles a book and can be used as an e-reader — a finger swipe turns the page. The libretto W100’s touch screens can work independently or together. Users can surf the Web on one screen while checking e-mail on the other, or view a webpage across both screens. Input is enabled through six virtual keyboard modes plus a virtual touchpad.

“The best news for Saudi Arabia is that Toshiba has listened to the market and we are going to introduce Satellite L Series consumer notebooks, in both the 13-inch and 15-inch segments, with a minimum of four colors,” said John Maliakal, country manager, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Yemen, Computer Systems Division, Toshiba Gulf. “These should be launched in August, before students return to classes. Our flagship model, Qosmio, which has been at the premium end in terms of pricing, will now be brought to a more affordable mid-range level and Toshiba will offer 48-hour Qosmio repair service over a three year warranty.”

For business, Toshiba’s Tecra and Portégé notebooks are more powerful, rugged and lighter — even ultra light. Maliakal has been working extensively with ABM Olayan to ensure that support for Tecra across the Kingdom is strengthened. He noted that Saudi Arabia is large geographically, when compared to the smaller Gulf nations. However, Saudi businesses need to be certain that fast, efficient service is available wherever they are. Toshiba has already partnered with ABM Olayan and Redington to provide warranty service for machines purchased through authorized channels in the Kingdom. During the next year, new collection centers will be opened making Toshiba service more accessible.

Toshiba is well established as a very reliable mobile computer brand and now the company plans to extend that reliability recognition to lifestyle products. Toshiba is known for its hard disks and its new external portable hard drive, the STOR.E ART 3, 2.5”, has an attractive case design coupled with the latest technology. Every portable external hard drive in this range comes complete with system backup, password protection and data encryption. Storage capacity is from 750GB to 1TB.

There are also new digital camcorders that can double as still cameras. These devices are targeting young consumers who want to share life experiences daily. For instance, a “hot button” on the Toshiba camcorders allows direct loading of videos to YouTube. Unfortunately, Toshiba hasn’t Arabized its camcorder interface, but Maliakal stated that as sales in the region increase, the Arabic interface will become a standard feature.

One surprise regarding Toshiba, is that the company has moved its laptop manufacturing to China. The Saudi market has long associated the Toshiba brand with Japan and Germany. Varghese explained that with the commoditization of consumer electronics and computers, it became crucial to reduce manufacturing and assembly costs.

“Affordability is important and quality is essential,” said Varghese.

“The design of all Toshiba laptops begins with Toshiba’s engineers at our own R&D. Then what differentiates manufacturers, no matter where a product is produced, is the level of quality that’s demanded and the quality assurance checks that are in place. Every PC vendor has taken the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) route in China. Toshiba’s premium laptops, such as Tecra, are manufactured in our own factory in Hangzhou. At this factory the Japanese way of manufacturing is followed down to the smallest details. For all Toshiba branded laptops, Toshiba has a procurement division that negotiates component purchases and does quality checks before the components are made available to the OEMs. Every laptop is thoroughly tested as it is assembled. Additionally 20 out of every 100 laptops are put through further quality assurance batch testing. We manufacture in China now due to the economies of scale, but every product with the Toshiba brand is based on designs created by Toshiba’s own engineers and our ‘Perfection Promise’ (www.trust-toshiba.com) gives consumers and business customers the assurance that excellence is our goal.”