Toshiba America Unveils Ultra-Fast Laptop Computer

Toshiba America stole some of rival Compaq Computer’s thunder Friday, announcing the nation’s first portable personal computer using an ultra-fast microprocessor chip from Intel.

Compaq, which has been developing its own laptop microcomputer using the new Intel 80386 chip, is expected to make its announcement Tuesday.

Toshiba’s computer, the T5100, will be assembled at the company’s Irvine plant from parts made mostly in Japan. Toshiba opened the $35-million Irvine facility last spring.

Toshiba officials said the T5100, which will sell for $6,499, has computing power equal to some of the most advanced desktop computer systems.

It weighs 15 pounds and does not run on batteries.

Move From Japan

Because of its cost and power, the T5100 is targeted at sophisticated users--such as financial analysts, software developers and engineers--who require a portable system, said Tom Sherrard, a Toshiba product marketing manager.

The T5100 is the newest in Toshiba’s line of five portable personal computers. Only one of them currently is assembled at the Irvine plant, but assembly of two others soon will be moved there from Japan, Sherrard said.

Toshiba has been shifting some laptop computer production from Japan because of the devaluation of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar and to reduce the impact of the Reagan Administration’s electronics trade sanctions.

The T5100 was introduced in Europe earlier this year and will be on display at the Comdex computer trade show in Las Vegas in November.