Toshiba expands Qosmio brand offering to include 17- and 15.4-inch wide-screen displays.

Toshiba's Digital Products Division (DPD) has announced the latest additions to its Qosmio brand of digitally converged AV notebook PCs--the Qosmio G15-AV501 and Qosmio F15-AV201. Featuring a 17-inch wide-screen display and Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, the Qosmio G15-AV501 offers consumers a unique "four-in-one" experience, eliminating the need for multiple consumer electronics devices such as a DVD player, PVR, TV and stereo. The Qosmio F15-AV201 offers the same functionality with a 15.4-inch diagonal wide-screen display.

"With the introduction of these new products, Toshiba is reinforcing its commitment to digital convergence and evolving the Qosmio brand through intelligent, stylish designs," said Taro Hiyama, vice president of marketing for Toshiba's Digital Products Division a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. "The inclusion of wide-screen displays and Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 was the next logical step for Qosmio, taking easy to use, personal entertainment solutions to the next level."

"Toshiba and Microsoft are working together to simplify our customers' lives with innovative, easy-to-use products that help bring digital entertainment to life," said Will Poole, senior vice president of the Windows Client Business at Microsoft Corp. "Toshiba's Qosmio line, paired with Media Center Edition 2005, creates the ultimate in digital convergence products, allowing users to bring the best of consumer electronics and PC functionality into one, stylish package."

The latest additions to the Qosmio AV notebook line feature the same stand-out features as the previous version, including a built in TV tuner, DVR capabilities and a high-quality QosmioEngine that enables increased video and graphics performance. The new notebooks also include increased hard disk space, up to 100GB(1) (Two HDD: 60GB + 40GB) to provide users with enough room to copy, edit and save video content, photos or music files without the worry of running out of storage space.

Coupled with Ultimate TruBrite wide screen displays, the Qosmio G15-AV501 and Qosmio F15-AV201 have two lamps for extreme brightness and an extended viewable range to create an audio/video experience comparable to stand-alone CE devices. Additionally, users can enjoy a more cinematic-quality experience when listening to music or watching movies on the new notebooks through the SRS WOW & TruSurround XT technology(2) and large harman/kardon stereo speakers.

The G15-AV501 and F15-AV201 also include the QosmioPlayer, allowing users to watch TV, DVDs or listen to CDs with a simple touch of a button instead of having to boot up the Windows operating system. With this feature, Qosmio owners can use the remote control or quick access buttons to enjoy their audio or video content within seconds--just as if they were using a stand-alone TV, stereo or DVD player.

With extensive video in/out connectivity options, Qosmio users can access and share photo and video content quickly and easily. Users can hook-up their favorite gaming console or camcorder to the Qosmio for on-the-fly gaming or to display home movies on the road, at home or on vacation.

Also a powerful computing tool, the Qosmio G15-AV501 and F15-AV201 feature Intel Centrino mobile technology, providing outstanding mobile performance and built-in wireless connectivity to improve productivity and enhance the entertainment experience. The Qosmio AV notebooks feature Intel PRO/ Wireless (802.11b/g)(3) to make connecting to the Internet at home or on the road at wireless hotspots convenient. The units are also Bluetooth enabled which means they provide easy access to wireless accessories.

Toshiba offers a stylish aluminum brief case specially designed by ZeroHalliburton to fit any Qosmio computer (regardless of screen size). The optional case is customized to conveniently house the PC, remote controls, AV cables, A/C adapter, IR receiver as well as Bluetooth-enabled headphones or mouse and other personal effects. The case is available at www.toshibadirect.com and sells for $299.