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Toshiba America Information Systems has unwrapped two new notebooks, addressing important markets with a Media Center desktop replacement notebook and a more portable system based on Intel's Centrino technology.

Both notebooks are now available through Toshiba's Web site and in retail stores.

Multimedia Focus

The new Satellite P25-S670 comes with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition operating system, and a 17-inch widescreen display. Toshiba America Information Systems, a division of Toshiba, expects consumers will watch movies and store their digital media on this notebook.

The P25-S670 costs $2699 with a 3.2-GHz Pentium 4 processor, 512MB of DDR SDRAM, an 80GB hard drive, and a DVD-RAM/-RW/CD-RW multifunction optical drive. It also comes with a GeForce FX Go5700 graphics card from Nvidia with 128MB of video memory and an integrated 802.11a/802.11g wireless chip.

Desktop replacement notebooks helped to resurrect the PC market in 2002 and 2003, as consumers flocked to replace their older desktops. They were attracted by the ability to get performance similar to a desktop in a package that could be carted around the house from room to room.

The P25-S670 is the most powerful system in Toshiba's multimedia notebook lineup, but it weighs a hefty 9.9 pounds. It comes with Intel's older desktop processor technology based on the Northwood core, rather than the recently introduced Prescott chip.

Other Models

The M25-S320 is a more manageable 6.2 pounds, but that's still fairly heavy for the needs of business travelers. Instead, this notebook is designed for consumers and students who need a lighter notebook but still want to watch movies on its 15.4-inch widescreen display and burn CDs, according to Toshiba.

It costs $1799 with a 1.5-GHz Pentium M processor, 512MB of DDR SDRAM, a 60GB hard drive, and a DVD-ROM/CD-RW optical drive. It has Nvidia's GeForce FX Go5200 with 32MB of video memory, and Intel's 802.11g wireless chip.

Analysts and reviewers have noted that Prescott's performance is not all that different than that of the older Pentium 4 chips at the current clock speeds. As Intel introduces faster models later this year, that is expected to change.

For users who need more mobility, Toshiba also added the Satellite M25-S320 to its lineup. This notebook comes with Intel's Centrino package of the Pentium M processor, a mobile chipset, and the Pro/Wireless 2200BG chip.