Toshiba's new A55 series notebooks offers Intel Centrino technology at a low price point.

Toshiba's Digital Products Division (DPD) introduced recently its Satellite A55 and Satellite A65 Series notebook PCs for students heading back to school, families and consumers. The lightweight Satellite A55 Series notebooks offer Intel(R) Centrino(TM) mobile technology providing users with increased speed, advanced wireless connectivity and extended battery life to increase productivity or the entertainment experience. The new A65 series offers first-time notebook buyers features such as integrated 802.11 b/g connectivity and software tools to make connecting to the Internet or troubleshooting technical issues quick and easy.

"As Toshiba innovates new products and technology continues to evolve, we strengthen our commitment to offer leading-edge products at an extreme value that directly benefits the consumer," said Taro Hiyama, vice president, marketing for Toshiba DPD, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. "These new notebooks are just right for students, and have the power, mobility and connectivity features that allow them to send class notes, stay connected with their parents back home via emails, or chat online with their friends through instant messaging."

Packaged in a sleek, platinum-colored chassis, the Satellite A55 series includes advanced computing features in a thin and light design. The new A55 notebooks weigh around six pounds(1) and stand only 1.4-inches high. The thin, light form factor ensures that students will not be burdened with additional weight in a backpack full of textbooks, and enables them to take the notebook with them wherever they need to go. These notebooks also have an optional a high-capacity battery so users can work, watch movies or surf the Internet for up to seven hours(2) before having to re-charge.

The Satellite A65 Series notebook is fully equipped with the basic tools that a first time notebook user needs including an Intel Celeron(TM) processor, large hard disk drive and plenty of memory. The notebook is also equipped with a DVD/CD-RW and integrated ATI Graphics, so users can watch movies or play video games on the large 15-inch display while enjoying increased graphics performance.

The Satellite A65 and A55 Series notebook PCs are fully loaded with a host of software features to provide users with added entertainment, as well as diagnostic tools to help them troubleshoot possible errors. The new notebooks feature a trial version of Napster's downloading software for users to create a personal digital music library of their favorite songs. Toshiba's ConfigFree(TM) software, which comes standard on all of Toshiba's wireless enabled notebook PCs, enables the end user to find wireless communications problems, offers suggestions and creates profiles for easy switching between locations and communication networks. Extremely easy to use, ConfigFree automatically searches for the nearest hotspot or wireless LAN, and walks the user through the connection process. PC Diagnostic is also included on the notebooks to help troubleshoot general computer issues and provide suggestions to resolve the situation.

Toshiba offers a wide array of services options to help customers protect their technology investment. All Toshiba notebooks are eligible for optional SystemGuard(R) accidental damage coverage, providing repair of damage caused by spills, drops and other accidents at no additional cost. The ServiceExpress program provides customers with a high priority depot or carry-in repair to ensure a quick turnaround. And for added convenience, Toshiba offers At-Home service where a Toshiba-trained technician will arrive directly at a customer's home to perform the necessary hardware repairs. Each of these programs can be combined with a Toshiba Extended Warranty program, providing up to three additional years of warranty coverage.

The Satellite A65 and A55 Series notebooks are currently available at www.toshibadirect.com and retail distribution channels including computer superstores and consumer electronics stores.