Toshiba Canada enters all-in-one PC market

Toshiba of Canada has thrown its hat into the all-in-one personal computer (PC) ring with the launch this week of the Toshiba DX730, a 23” all-in-one machine designed for users who want a large display and multimedia features in an environment where space is at a premium. It's Toshiba's first foray into this form factor, said Mini Saluja, national training manager with Toshiba of Canada, building on its experience in the laptop market. The DX730 has a 23” full HD multitouch display with a glossy black finish on an aluminum stand. It comes with a matching Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and boasts Onkyo stereo speakers with Waves MaxxAudio sound processing.

Two models of the DX730 will initially be available. The $899 model features a second-generation Intel Core i3 processor with 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 1TB 7200 RPM hard drive, a DVD SuperMulti Drive and HDMI in. For $1,049, you can move up to a model with an NVIDIA Geforce GT 540M processor and Intel Core i5, as well as 6GB of RAM and HDMI in and out.

“We're looking for people who have a smaller space, like a dorm room or a home office environment,” said Saluja. “It's not hard to pick up, everything is built into the monitor and it's not bulky. So if you're going up to the cottage and need access to a PC and you want a bigger screen, this gives you the mobility factor (over a tower desktop).”

Toshiba's initial focus is on the consumer market for multimedia users. Depending on the DX730's reception, Saluja said future models may include an integrated TV tuner so it can double as a small TV in a dorm room or home office.

“Right now we haven't made too many plans for the commercial market,” said Saluja of Toshiba's all-in-one future. “We're starting with the consumer space because it's stylish, although style is bleeding into the commercial market as well. But we're putting multimedia first.”

The DX730 is available now through the Toshiba channel.