The Computer Systems Division of Toshiba Europe GmbH last month announced the 20th anniversary of the world's first mass-market laptop computer - the Toshiba T1100, a landmark precursor to today's mobile digital devices.

At its launch, the T1100 featured a 4.77 MHz Intel 80C88 processor, MS-DOS 2.11 operating system, one 720Kb 3.5-inch floppy disk drive (the first in a mass-market PC) for storage, and 512Kb RAM. The system was 31 cm wide, 6.6 cm high and 30 cm deep, weighing 4 kg.

A triumph of miniaturisation technology for its time, the T1100 was notable for its clear, legible black-and-white 9.1- by 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 640x200 pixels, and optional 14.4 kbps modem connectivity. Featuring a Microsoft MS-DOS operating system, the system's compatibility with third-party IBM PC software was considered mandatory for business acceptance. The unit cost more than €4,000 in 1985.

Since it launched the T1100, Toshiba has recorded worldwide cumulative sales of more than 37 million notebook computers up to 2004, according to industry analysts IDC.

"Toshiba's T1100 was the first successfully marketed battery-powered mobile computing device that opened the door to today's notebooks, sub-notebooks and Tablet PCs," Oscar Koenders, general manager, EMEA Marketing, Computer Systems Division, Toshiba Europe GmbH, said.

"For 20 years, Toshiba's single-minded focus on mobility and quality have been the main force behind the creation of today's world of mobile computing," Mr Koenders said. "An unrivalled heritage and an ongoing commitment to developing state-of-the-art mobile technology make Toshiba the undisputed market leader, continuing to drive forward the vision for the ubiquitous networked society."

"In 1985, Intel was proud that our 80C88 microprocessor was selected by Toshiba to be inside the T1100 - the industry's first widely accepted portable computer," Paul S. Otellini, president and chief operating officer, Intel Corporation, said. "The Toshiba-Intel relationship has grown tremendously since that historic notebook and we are proud that Toshiba continues to integrate Intel platforms into today's Portégé, Tecra, Satellite and Qosmio lines. On behalf of Intel, I would like to congratulate Toshiba on 20 years of innovation in mobile computing."

The notebooks kicking off the company's 20th anniversary celebration include the premium ultra-portable Portégé R200, the return of the libretto U100 mini-notebook in Europe, the Tecra M4, a new mainstream Tablet PC for business users, and the Qosmio G20 the 4-1 AV-PC.

Following the successful introduction of the T1100, Toshiba went on to introduce a series of innovations that dramatically raised expectations on what was possible in portable computing in the areas of display, battery, optical drives, small form factor hard disk drives, performance and communications, including these highlights:

1986 - the first portable PC featuring an Intel 286 processor;

1986 - the first portable PC featuring an internal hard disk drive;

1987 - the first portable PC featuring an Intel 386 processor;

1990 - first notebook PC with longer-lasting NiMH battery;

1991 - first notebook PC featuring a thin film transistor (TFT) display;

1992 - first portable PC featuring an Intel 486 processor;

1993 - first ultra-portable featuring Lithium ion battery;

1994 - first notebook PC featuring an Intel Pentium processor;

1995 - first notebook PC incorporating a CD-ROM drive;

1997 - first notebook PC incorporating a DVD drive;

2000 - first notebook PC incorporating DVD/CD-RW multi-drive;

2001 - first notebook PC incorporating wireless capabilities (Bluetooth and WLAN);

2002 - first full-performance convertible-type Tablet PC;

2004 - first AV notebook PC featuring LCD TV-class video quality.

Today, Toshiba Corporation has more than 161,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of US$ 53 billion (FY2003).