A “Back-in-Black” fashion statement
The Infinia is Toshiba’s first foray into desktop computers, and a glance at their new machine’s curvy exterior reveals that the veteran notebook manufacturer has been closely studying Hewlett-Packard’s Pavilion line. But once you look at the screen or crack the case, the Infinia’s innovative insides and Toshiba’s unique 17-inch monitor deliver a much different impression than HP’s offerings.
There are three computers in the Infinia line, with the top-end model 7200 featuring a 200MHz Pentium, 32MB of EDO DRAM (upgradeable to 128MB), a 3.0GB hard drive, 8x CD-ROM drive, S3 ViRGE 3D-graphics chip, a TV/FM Radio capture card, and two integrated Universal Serial Bus ports. An Infinia 7200 arrived at the bootLab just as we were going to press, giving us an opportunity to prepare this hands-on preview.
The Infinia has three ISA and three PCI slots mounted directly on the motherboard. One of each type of slot is occupied (by a fax/modem card and TV tuner, respectively). Access to the motherboard is through convenient side panel that doesn’t require any screws. The ViRGE chip is mounted directly on the motherboard, as is the Sound Blaster 16-compatible wavetable synthesizer chip. The TV/FM radio card includes coaxial inputs for radio and television reception, as well as an S-video jack for video sources such as camcorders or VCRs. The built-in modem is a 28.8Kbps model, which will be software upgradeable to 33.6Kbps.
A pair of open expansion bays are hidden behind a swinging door up front that also guards the main power up button and a reset switch. The covers for the bays require no tools to remove, popping off with simple pressure on the finger tabs, and the case opens with similar ease. This should combine to make installing additional hardware convenient, and the swinging door will keep off-white facades from clashing with the Infinia’s “Back-in-Black” fashion statement.
The optional 17-inch monitor houses a pair of powered stereo speakers (five watts per channel) built into columns that rise up the sides, plus a five-watt subwoofer built
into the base. In addition to on-screen volume controls, separate speaker and subwoofer dials are built into the side of the monitor. A microphone integrated into the front panel offers hands-free communication for the speakerphone/answering machine. There’s also a headphone jack and a mic input on the monitor. The monitor forgoes the ubiquitous tilt/swivel base for a design that uses a chrome hinge behind the monitor to adjust viewing angle. The case sits directly on the desktop and by pressing down on the top rear of the monitor, a spring in the flexible leg in the back supports the display.
Toshiba’s InTouch module is sure to prove a real conversation piece. This clever LCD screen plugs into one of the Infinia’s USB ports and offers convenient push-button control over the computer’s CD-ROM drive, answering machine, and TV and radio tuners. It also displays information such as the number of messages waiting and the television or radio frequency that’s currently tuned in. The panel can be set on the desktop or mounted into a special bay on Toshiba’s monitor. And if you like to control your computer from across the room, an infrared
controller comes with the system, too.
Similar to Compaq’s new Presarios and IBM’s Aptivas, the Infinia’s monitor dims and the hard drive spins down when there’s no disk or keyboard activity. Punch the Silver button on the monitor or system, and the machine awakes within seconds. The Infinia still answers the phone, receives faxes, and even plays the radio, TV, or CDs while sleeping.
The deciding factor on the success of this foray for Toshiba will be the performance of their new line. Next month we’ll spill the results of our exhaustive testing, but unlike other major Japanese consumer electronics firms entering the U.S. desktop fray, it looks as though Toshiba is jumping in with innovative features that create a system that’s truly different from the pack.
— Bryan Del Rizzo
