Toshiba America the Latest Computer Maker to Abandon Loyalty to Intel Chips

Irvine-based Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. today will join the growing ranks of computer manufacturers defecting from Intel Corp.’s chips when it introduces two new laptop computers in its annual roll-out of new models.

As part of its move to capture more price-conscious small-business customers and general consumers, Toshiba will feature chips by Advanced Micro Devices Corp., which consistently undercuts Intel’s prices.

Intel competitors have made the most headway with products for personal computers aimed at consumers, who see companies such as AMD and National Semiconductor Corp. offering similar products for less.

Toshiba’s conversion comes less than two weeks after computer manufacturer Gateway announced it would build computers with AMD chips. That leaves Micron Electronics and Dell Computer Corp., which focuses almost exclusively on the corporate market, as the only top Windows-based personal computer manufacturers loyal to Intel.

“There is a growing comfort level with non-Intel processors because people are trusting the brand on the outside of the box,” said Chris Pollitt, group manager for portable product marketing at Toshiba.

Pollitt said using AMD’s 333-megahertz K6-2 processor instead of Intel’s comparable Pentium II for the new laptop saved Toshiba about $50 per machine and allowed the company to use a 13-inch screen instead of a 12-inch one on a portable costing $1,599.