Toshiba to use Crusoe for Libretto notebook

Manufacturer promises 14-hour battery life

Toshiba, the third largest notebook computer maker, has announced it will use Transmeta's Crusoe chips in its Libretto notebook PCs.

The Libretto L1/0600TNMM, which will apparently weigh a mere 2.4 pounds and have up to a 14-hour battery life using an optional extra battery, will be built around a 600Mhz Crusoe processor, according to Toshiba.

Featuring a small lightweight design with a low-power, 10-inch wide SXGA TFT screen with a 1280 x 600 resolution and a 10Gb hard drive, the notebook was due to go on sale in Japan on 18 May. The device measures 10.5 x 6.6 x 0.81in.

The PC runs Windows Me, and is equipped with two USB connectors, a type II PC card slot and a mini-RGB often used for business presentations. In addition, it has Bluetooth capability for wireless connection to the internet.

Jim Chapman, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Transmeta, said it is a major milestone that Toshiba has chosen Crusoe for this innovative new system. "Our strategy is to win big with Japan and then export the success into Europe and the US," he explained.