Toshiba's HD-DVD laptop to hit Japan in May

HD-DVD is one of two formats competing to replace DVD for high-definition movies. The format was launched just over a week ago in Japan when Toshiba began selling an HD-DVD player. Similar players are due on sale in the U.S. later this month. The first players for the rival format, Blu-ray Disc, are not expected in shops until at least June.

The laptop is based on a 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo processor and will have a 17-inch widescreen LCD (liquid crystal display) panel with 1,920 by 1,200 pixel (WUXGA) resolution.

Like other computers in Toshiba's Qosmio range, the machine is designed for multimedia use, thus the relatively large display and features such as digital and analog TV tuners, Harman Kardon speakers and an HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) output.

The HD-DVD drive will be 12.7mm high and able to play HD-DVD-ROM discs and read and write CDs and DVDs, including DVD+/-R DL (dual-layer) and DVD-RAM, Toshiba said. It will be available in Japan in mid-May for about Ľ400,000 (US$3,383).

The computer was first shown in January at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and then again at Cebit in Germany in March. At Cebit, a Toshiba spokesman said the G30 would be available in Europe, the U.S. and Japan at the end of April. The later launch date in Japan suggests it could be delayed in other markets as well. Toshiba said Monday that precise launch plans for Europe and the U.S. had not yet been decided.