Toshiba unveils HD-DVD laptop

Toshiba's new laptop will let mobile staff carry up to 30GB of data on each DVD disc

Toshiba has unveiled a laptop with a built-in HD-DVD drive, which will let users access up to 30GB of content on next-generation DVD media.

Although the firm is aiming the Toshiba Qosmio G30 at consumers, the technology could also appeal to travelling staff who need to give presentations at customer sites.

The new model, set to ship in April, is the first laptop with a HD-DVD drive and is also the first HD-DVD product available in Europe. It has a 17in widescreen display with a 1920x1200 resolution that allows users to view high-definition digital video from HD-DVD media. The HD-DVD drive is also Toshiba's own technology.

HD-DVD is one of two standards designed to supersede DVDs. The rival Blu-ray technology is backed by many IT and electronics vendors, including Sony and HP, and stores up to 50GB on a dual-layer disk compared with 30GB for HD-DVD. However, Toshiba said it expects future HD-DVD media will store up to 45GB using a third layer.

Pioneer this month unveiled a Blu-ray recorder for desktop PCs, but does not expect to have a drive suitable for laptops until early in 2007. Meanwhile, Toshiba said it expects to have a HD-DVD recorder ready within the same timeframe.

"We're ready with the technology, but the standard has yet to be certified by the HD-DVD forum," said Oscar Koenders, general manager of Toshiba Computer Systems in Europe.