Technical Backgrounder 


The Toshiba T3400 -- The Industry's first No Compromise Subnotebook

The new Toshiba T3400 Series of subnotebooks redefines the earlier generation of competitive 
subnotebooks that fell short in terms of useability, portability, functionality and ergonomics to 
achieve a smaller weight and form. 

The T3400 Series has been designed to serve as a high performance system that complements the 
high performance desktop computer of the executive or power user. In order to be truly useable 
for this customer, the T3400 Series incorporates many industry-first technologies. The following 
details some of the key features which distinguish the T3400 in the subnotebook market.

For  further information refer to contacts listed on the final page.


SL Enhanced Intel 486* SX CPU

The T3400 models are the first subnotebooks to incorporate the new high-speed SL Enhanced 
Intel 486 SX 3.3 volt CPU (running at 33 Mhz). 
The SL enhancement and low 3.3 voltage contribute to maximized battery life. (Note: Toshiba is 
the first manufacturer to standardize on the 3.3 volt technology.)  


PCMCIA Expansion Slots

The T3400 Series notebooks feature a PCMCIA Type II 2.01-compliant expansion slot which 
meets the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) standards for 
physical requirements, electrical specifications and software architecture for PC cards. 

PCMCIA cards, which offer new flexibility and functionality to notebook and subnotebook 
computer users, are about the size of a credit card and are used for applications such as 
fax/modems, networking interfaces, memory and other expansion. They offer a convenient 
alternative to proprietary devices, external pocket modems and docking stations. 

In essence, PCMCIA technology brings a "plug and play" capability to portable computing, 
allowing PC cards, such as a modem card, to be used without shutting down the system. The 
other key advantage of PCMCIA technology is that users are no longer tied to their computer 
manufacturer for added features and accessories. 


Colour and Display Technology

Continuing to meet the performance expectations established by the power user's desktop 
computer, the T3400 Series subnotebooks offer display clarity and functionality that exceeds 
competitive offerings.

The T3400 Series are the first subnotebooks to implement a local-bus graphics accelerator to 
enhance video performance in the Windows graphical user interface (GUI) environment.

The less expensive T3400 features a large 8.4 inch screen with high-contrast STN-monochrome 
LCD which is VGA compatible and displays 64 gray scales at 320 x 200 resolution and 16 gray 
scales at 640 x 480.

The more sophisticated T3400CT, for individuals with more extensive business presentation and 
graphical needs, is the industry's first subnotebook to implement a 7.8" thin film transistor (TFT) active matrix colour display. Active matrix technology is superior in speed and colour contrast to passive matrix technology and is more expensive to manufacture.  The super-bright 7.8 inch colour display supports an impressive range of colours of 256 simultaneous colours from a palette of 262,144 at 640 x 480 resolution.


Battery Technology

The T3400 Series are the first subnotebooks to powered by the revolutionary, light-weight, 
rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery. Other subnotebooks are powered by nickel metal hydride 
(NiMH), nickel cadmium (NiCD), throwaway alkaline, or lead acid batteries, which deliver 
significantly less battery life.

The Lithium-Ion battery technology provides 75 percent longer battery life than the NiCD battery 
of the same weight, and 50 percent more than the NiMH. The T3400 offers 4 to 8 hours of battery 
life, and the T3400CT colour model runs from 3 to 6 hours depending on application use.


Model Specifications - Summary

T3400
-SL Enhanced Intel 486 SX  CPU, running at 33MHz
-4MB RAM Standard (expandable to 20MB)
-120MB Hard Disk Drive
-8.5", FL STN Mono Display
-640 x 480 resolution x 16 grayscale
-Local Bus Video
-1 Type II (5mm) PCMCIA 2.01 slot
-AccuPoint integrated isometric pointing device
-Lithium-Ion battery, 4 to 8 hours battery life
-Dimensions: 7.9"(W) x 9.9"(D) x 1.7" (H)
-4.1 pounds

T3400CT
-SL Enhanced Intel 486 SX CPU, running at 33MHz
-4MB RAM Standard (expandable to 20MB)
-120MB Hard Disk Drive
-7.8", Active Matrix TFT Colour Display
-640 x 480 resolution x 256 colours
-1 Type II (5mm) PCMCIA 2.01 slot
-AccuPoint integrated isometric pointing device
-Lithium-Ion battery, 3 to 6 hours battery life
-Dimensions: 7.9"(W) x 9.9"(D) x 1.8" (H)
-4.4 pounds
-Local Bus Video


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For further information, product photography, or to interview Toshiba spokespeople, please 
contact:

Jo-Ann Austin,
President,
Austin Tayshus! Public Relations
Toronto, Ontario 
(416)596-1390

For demos, or evaluation equipment, please contact:

Joanne Musico
Marketing Coordinator,
Toshiba Canada ISG
Markham, Ontario
(905)470-3478 ext. 274