FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TOSHIBA BOOTH #L862 LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER Toshiba Demonstrates Quad-Speed, Super-Slim CD-ROM Drive at COMDEX. LAS VEGAS, Nov. 13-17, 1995 -- Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Disk Products Division (TAIS DPD) will show for the first time at COMDEX/Fall its, quad-speed, super-slim CD-ROM drive developed specifically for notebook computers. Toshiba's XM-1302B internal CD-ROM drive meets the requirements of notebook computers through its small size, low weight and low power consumption. The new CD-ROM drive will be featured during COMDEX/Fall in the Toshiba Booth #L862, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Nov. 13-17. "The new XM-1302B drive is the perfect CD-ROM drive for notebook computer manufacturers who want performance and reliability in a very small footprint," said Jerry Higgins, vice president of CD-ROM marketing, TAIS DPD. "With this new drive, OEMs can now design into their notebook computers a quad-speed CD-ROM drive from Toshiba, the market leader in CD-ROM." Measuring only 17mm high, the XM-1302B internal drive was engineered using a very thin optical pick-up head and a newly developed drive mechanism. Toshiba also concentrated on drive components, densely packing the components in order to meet the small size constraints of the new drive. While engineering the drive to meet minimal size requirements, Toshiba developed the XM-1302B drive to fully meet MPC-3 specifications. The XM-1302B quad- speed drive features a random seek time of only 170ms and a sustained data transfer rate of 600KB/sec. An 8.33MB/sec. burst transfer rate is supported from the drive's 128KB buffer. Kodak multisession Photo CD is also supported. "It is critical when developing a drive for the notebook computer market that you do not sacrifice reliability," said Higgins. To that end, Toshiba designed the new XM- 1302B drive in a fully-sealed enclosure to prevent contamination and ensure reliability. Toshiba designed the drive for optimum performance using Toshiba's recently developed variable speed playback system and digital servo control. The variable speed playback system allows the drive to read data before the disc rotational speed reaches any of 1, 2 or 4 times standard rotational speeds. Specifically, the Toshiba CD-ROM drive can read data once the disc rotational speed reaches a range of +/- 50 percent of each speed up to a maximum of 5 times rotational speed, while other drives can read data only when the disc speed is at exactly 1, 2 or 4 times rotation. In addition, the 5-volt power supply reduces power consumption to an average of 2.7 watts, thereby generating less heat during operation for overall reliability. The digital servo control, which offers greater precision in tracking and head positioning, further contributes to performance and reliability. The XM-1302 features a drawer-type disk loading system. The drawer holds an inserted disk firmly and securely, allowing disks to be left in a PC when it is being carried, or even if the PC is stood on end. The new XM-1302B is designed for use in notebook computers and features an ATAPI interface that eases integration. The XM-1302B measures only 17mm (H) x 128mm (W) x 135mm (D) and weighs only 380 grams. Toshiba's XM-1302B internal CD-ROM drive is priced at $150 in OEM quantities and is available beginning now. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TAIS is comprised of seven divisions that manufacture and market a wide range of business and information-oriented products in the United States. Products include portable computers, disk drives, CD-ROM drives, plain paper copiers, facsimile systems, digital key telephones and PBX systems, voice mail systems and toner products. TAIS is an independent operating company, owned by Toshiba America Inc., a subsidiary of the $53.8 billion Toshiba Corp., the second largest computer and office equipment manufacturer and the world's 20th largest corporation in terms of sales. Toshiba Corp. is a world leader in high-technology products with 134 major consolidated subsidiaries worldwide. The TAIS Disk Products Division markets a wide range of industry-standard Winchester and CD-ROM drives in the United States. For additional product information, contact Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Disk Products Division, 9740 Irvine Blvd., Irvine, Ca 92713; telephone (714) 457-0777 or on the World Wide Web at http://WWW.Toshiba.com. * Photos available upon request. For Editorial Contact Only: Karen Allen/Kelly Odle The Benjamin Group (714) 753-0755 kallen@oc.tbgi.com kodle@oc.tbgi.com IBM, PC/AT are registered trademarks of International Business Machine Corp.