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Dynabook Satellite

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"Satellite computer" redirects here. For the telecommunications method, see Satellite Internet access.
Satellite
Satellite S40t
Also known as
  • Toshiba Satellite
  • Dynabook Satellite
DeveloperToshiba
ManufacturerToshiba
TypeLaptop
Release date1992; 32 years ago (1992)
Lifespan1992–2016
Discontinued2016 (2016)
Satellite Pro
Satellite Pro C870
Also known as
  • Toshiba Satellite Pro
  • Dynabook Satellite Pro
Developer
Manufacturer
  • Toshiba (1994–2016)
  • Dynabook Inc. (2020–present)
TypeLaptop
Release date1994; 30 years ago (1994)
Lifespan1994–2016, 2020–present
Discontinued2016; resurrected in 2020

The Satellite was a line of laptops manufactured by Toshiba's computer subsidiary now known as Dynabook Inc. Models in the Satellite family varied greatly—from entry-level models sold to consumers at major retailers to full-fledged business laptops sold through enterprise channels. The latter were marketed as the Satellite Pro.

The earliest models in the series, introduced in the early 1990s, were one of the first to directly compete against IBM's ThinkPad line. The consumer Satellite series later competed against Acer's Aspire, Dell's Inspiron and XPS laptops, HP's Pavilion, and Lenovo's IdeaPad.

Toshiba discontinued the Satellite in 2016 after they left the computer market that year. In 2019, Sharp Corporation bought majority interest of Toshiba's computer subsidiary, later buying the remainder of Toshiba's shares in 2020, and renamed the company to Dynabook Inc. That year, Dynabook resurrected the Satellite Pro series, positioning it between their consumer E series and their business Tecra (the latter also formerly manufactured by Toshiba).

History

The early models did not come with an internal CD-ROM drive, but these soon appeared as mobile technology progressed. Such models can link up with an external CD-ROM drive through the parallel port on the rear (since USB ports came later as well). Some Satellites also lacked an internal floppy disk drive, but a port on the side allowed the use of a proprietary external module for such. These machines tended to be smaller in physical size than their contemporaries.

A Toshiba Satellite personal computer was used to send the first email ever sent by President Bill Clinton during his presidency. The email was sent using the personal computer of White House Medical Unit Emergency Physician Dr. Robert G. Darling, and was sent to astronaut John Glenn as he was aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.[1]

Notable models included the Satellite 5005-S507 which was the first to ship with NVIDIA GeForce 4 440 Go GPU and cost $1,999. The Satellite 5105-S607 was the first laptop with cPad technology and cost $2,499. The Satellite 5205-S703 was the first laptop with built-in DVD-R/RW drive and cost $2,699.[2]

Sharp Corporation obtained 80.1% of Toshiba's computer subsidiary in October 2018. In April 2019, Sharp renamed the subsidiary Dynabook Inc..[3] In 2020, Toshiba sold their remaining shares to Sharp. Sharp resurrected the Satellite Pro series that year.

Models

A series

Satellite A300
Satellite C650
Main article: Toshiba Satellite A series

The A series was Toshiba's first premium consumer line of Satellite laptops. Introduced with the A10 and A20 models in 2003, the A series originally targeted high school and college students and workers of small offices and home offices, before becoming a premium line by the late 2000s.[4][5] The A series was succeeded by the P series in 2011.[6]

C series

Main article: Toshiba Satellite C series

The C series ("Cost"[7]) was Toshiba's consumer line of Satellite laptops. Screen sizes on the C series ranged between 14 and 17 in diagonally; the laptops were offered with Intel or AMD processors.[8][9]

T series

The T series was Toshiba's line of Satellite ultrabooks.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ "President Clinton Sends the First Ever Presidential Email : HistoryofInformation.com". www.historyofinformation.com. Retrieved 2019-02-11.
  2. ^ Cheng, Cisco (May 13, 2010). "Toshiba's Laptops, Through the Years". PC Magazine. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  3. ^ "About Dynabook :: About Dynabook :: Dynabook :: Laptops/Notebooks, Storage & Accessories". anz.dynabook.com. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
  4. ^ Staff writer (July 7, 2003). "Toshiba launches notebooks for students". The Globe and Mail – via ProQuest.
  5. ^ Ackerman, Dan (April 21, 2011). "Toshiba Satellite L655-S5161 review". CNET. Red Ventures.
  6. ^ Barton, Seth (April 6, 2011). "Toshiba launches new L-series and P-series laptops". Expert Reviews.
  7. ^ Torres, J. C. (June 18, 2015). "Toshiba's new Satellite S, C, and L series cover all bases". SlashGear.
  8. ^ Burlacu, Alexandra (June 19, 2015). "Cortana On Your Keyboard With Toshiba's New Line Of Back-To-School Windows 10 Laptops". Tech Times.
  9. ^ Wollman, Dana (April 10, 2012). "Toshiba announces fresh C, L, S and P series laptops for back-to-school season". Engadget. Yahoo!.
  10. ^ Stein, Scott (December 14, 2009). "Toshiba Satellite T115-S1105 review". CNET. Red Ventures.
  11. ^ Bradford, K. T. (November 25, 2009). "Toshiba Satellite T115 Review". Laptop. Future US.
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