Toshiba Enters ‘Notebook’ Field

Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. introduced a notebook computer Wednesday that is intended to compete with comparable machines from AST Research Inc., Compaq Computer Corp. and Texas Instruments Inc.

The Toshiba T2000SX, which weighs just less than seven pounds, is priced lower than Texas Instruments and Compaq models. But its 16-megahertz Intel Corp. 80386SX microprocessor makes it somewhat slower than competing machines.

The Toshiba unit said its computer uses a nickel hydride battery that yields more power for its weight than the standard nickel-cadmium battery.

More than 20 companies have introduced notebook computers or plan to do so, analysts said.

Equipped with a 40-megabyte hard-disk drive, the T2000SX will sell for $5,499. The machine will be available in January.