Notebook Laptop news
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Microsoft is looking at alternatives to ultra-low-cost laptops in the drive to arm people in developing nations with a way to communicate and access the Internet, and the company is turning its sights on cheaper devices that can give people a start in computing, such as smartphones and shared computing.

The world’s largest software maker has a few projects in the making, including a push to use mobile phones in computing and microfinance. Mobile phones have already made an impact in nations across the developing world, from India to Zimbabwe, enabling people such as farmers and fishermen to find better markets and prices. Handsets also give a person a way to be reached for jobs.

Toshiba has announced five new models in its Satellite Pro laptop range today, targeting small business users with the line-up that starts from a reasonable price point of $699 (£350).

Tosh’s new affordable line of lappies range from a 13-inch screen model to a weightier desktop-friendly 17-inch screen.

All five models feature, as standard, 802.11g wireless, integrated webcams, DVD multi-format burners and an ExpressCard slot, with certain models in the range offering both Windows Vista and XP Professional.

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According to Toshiba, it is undecided what to do about HD DVD drives in notebooks. TechRadar attended Toshiba’s UK press launch in lovely Hertfordshire this morning and found that it hadn’t quite made its mind up.

Tosh has been a bit silent on the subject of HD drives in its lappies over the past few days, pushing us from pillar to post in our quest to find the truth. But at the launch this morning, Olivier Van Wynendaele, deputy general manager of HD DVD at Toshiba, elaborated on the subject - if only a little. He said the corporation had “not yet decided” on its HD DVD strategy for notebooks since the corporation pulled the plug on the format.

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