Toshiba Announces the Dynapad T100X Pen Computer

November 2, 1992 — First to deliver on the promise of mobile pen computing, the Computer Systems Division of Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. (TAIS) Monday announced the company’s first computer that combines the power and capability of a notebook computer with the ease of use of today’s intuitive pen operating systems.

In a small, lightweight package, the Toshiba Dynapad T100X pen computer offers exceptional performance to truly meet the needs of pen computing.

“The first wave of the pen computer revolution brought forth a number of proprietary systems designed for limited types of data collection,” said Steve Lair, vice president of marketing for Toshiba’s Computer Systems Division. “Many of those products fell short in their design, requiring users to make compromises on weight, size, performance, or all of these combined.”

Toshiba Dynapad Pen Computer Standard Features

The Toshiba Dynapad is a full-featured pen computer platform in a 3.3-pound package. Inside is a power-saving 25MHz AMD 386SXLV (3.3 volt) microprocessor, 4MB of RAM (expandable up to 20MB), a 9.5-inch VGA-compatible black and white transreflective (with backlight) display with 16 gray scales, a 40MB hard disk drive, two PCMCIA 2.0 slots (industry standard for I/O devices such as modems, fax/modems, LAN adapters, and flash memory cards) and a user-installable credit card sized memory slot. Also included are standard features such as a serial, parallel, PS/2 keyboard and floppy drive ports.

The Dynapad pen computer incorporates all the standard features that Toshiba notebook computer users have come to expect from the company. Well known for their commitment to quality and compatibility, Toshiba also designed the Dynapad with MaxTime power management, allowing the user to maximize battery life; AutoResume, Toshiba’s “electronic bookmark” automatically remembers the user’s exact place in the application when the computer power is turned off; automatic display and hard drive power down and numerous other power management options. These features, combined with the extra battery pack included with the Dynapad, can provide users with a full day of battery life.

Two configurations of the Dynapad are available — preinstalled with either GO Corp.’s PenPoint or Microsoft’s Windows for Pen Computing operating systems on the hard disk. Both the Microsoft and GO software utilize the pen as a replacement for both the mouse and the keyboard. Furthermore, both PenPoint and Windows for Pen computing use pen gestures drawn on-screen as editing and operational shortcuts, as well as handwriting recognition (HWR) engines. Each also comes with an on-screen graphics keyboard the user can turn on for slightly more conventional input.

Dynapad Applications

The Dynapad pen computer will represent a substantial change in the way thousands of mobile workers perform their day-to-day tasks, giving them a more flexible tool for a variety of ways to increase their efficiency and productivity, including applications such as:

Fleet workers in service industries, like merchandising or utilities
— Require large display for reading diagrams, maps or planograms
— Require light weight to hold for long periods of time
— Need pen input for convenience and ease of use

Sales people (particularly in pharmaceuticals and packaged goods)
— Require large displays for one-on-one presentations
— Need fast processor for printing recognition
— Need expandability for communications options

Nurses in a hospital setting
— Need large display and hard drive for completing and storing
patient information and records
— Require communication capabilities for network connection
— Need easy power management to minimize work interruptions

Insurance adjusters
— Need fast processor to complete calculations
— Require large display useable in wide variety of lighting
conditions
— Need large hard drive for database access

The Toshiba Dynapad pen computer comes standard with the industry leading features and service Toshiba has long been known for. This includes an international warranty, a broad network of authorized service providers and toll free product support. Toshiba offers comprehensive service and support for the Dynapad pen computer, including a one year warranty on parts and labor with no cost Exceptional Care enrollment during this period.

The Toshiba Dynapad pen computer, standard with 4MB of RAM, 40MB hard disk drive, Microsoft’s Windows for Pen Computing or GO Corp.’s PenPoint, two NiMH battery packs and stylus will have a suggested retail price (SRP) of $3,499.

Based on the market share estimates from International Data Corp. (IDC), Toshiba is the leading vendor in the U.S. market for portable computers, holding 13.9 percent of the volume for 1991. IDC research covers the full spectrum of computer resellers, unlike some retail surveys whose focus excludes as much as 40 percent of the full portable computing market.

With headquarters in Irvine, and annual sales of approximately $1 billion, TAIS is comprised of seven divisions, which manufacture and market a wide-range of business and information-oriented products in the United States. Products include portable computers, printers, disk drives, plain paper copiers, facsimile systems, electronic key telephones and PBX systems, and toner products.

TAIS is an independent operating company, owned by Toshiba America Inc., a subsidiary of the $33 billion Toshiba Corp., a world leader in high-technology products with 128 major subsidiaries worldwide.

The TAIS Computer Systems Division markets the broadest range of laptop, notebook and pen computers in the industry. For additional product-oriented information call 800/334-3445.

Toshiba Dynapad T100X Pen Computer Innovative Features

— Weighs only 3.3 pounds with battery
— AMD 25-MHz 386SXLV low-voltage microprocessor
— Small 10.6 inch (W) x 8.3 inch (D) x 1.6 inch (H) size
— 9.5-inch transreflective backlit display for optimal readability
indoors and outdoors
— Two PCMCIA 2.0 expansion slots
— Fast access, built-in 40MB hard disk drive
— Microsoft’s Windows for Pen Computing or GO Corp.’s PenPoint
preinstalled on the hard disk drive
— Battery life of 2 – 3 hours
— Available in January, 1993 at a suggested retail price (SRP) of
$3,499

CONTACT:
Toshiba America Information Systems, Irvine
Howard Emerson, 714/583-3925
or
Hill and Knowlton, Irvine
Bob Maples, 714/752-1106