TOSHIBA AMERICA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS RAISES THE BAR ON AFFORDABLE HIGH-SPEED COLOR IMAGING WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE NEW e-STUDIOTM211c and 311c COLOR COPIERS

Graphics Level Image Quality and Lower Total Cost of Ownership Top the List of Improved Features in Toshiba's Newest Color Line

IRVINE , California ( Mar 24, 2004 ) :

Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. (TABS) today introduced the Toshiba e-STUDIOTM211c and 311c full-color copiers, printers and scanners that combine high speed, superior image quality and impressive reliability in one multi-functional network system. Featuring a complete array of cost-saving features and performance enhancements that reduce the need and cost of maintenance and replacement materials, the e-STUDIO211c and 311c also boast improved image quality over their successful predecessors, the e-STUDIO210c and 310c.

"We designed the e-STUDIO211c/311c to more closely meet the needs and demands of the graphic arts industry, with the knowledge that the adoption of color imaging in the workplace is growing as never before," said Steve Rhorer, director, Product Marketing, TABS. "With the improved image quality we've responded to graphic arts professionals, and by lowering the total cost of ownership and improving reliability, we've created a full-color, multi-function system for the broad business market."

Improved Image Quality

The e-STUDIO211c/311c is able to achieve graphics level image quality with superior 600 x 600 dpi resolution, in addition to several series improvements, including:

New toners that deliver less image distortion and crisper images
A new high-performance drum drive unit that delivers less color misalignment and jittering
Improved highlights that reproduce halftone highlights more naturally
Improved image consistency controls that studies have shown to be best in class

To further enhance the superior image quality of the e-STUDIO211c/311c, a new photo zoom feature also is included, allowing automatic enlargements and reductions of photos with the press of a button.

Expanded Media Support

Expanding its usability further, Toshiba's e-STUDIO211c and 311c are compatible with Toshiba's new AquaAceTM weather, water and UV resistant synthetic paper. Developed to meet the demands of fast turnaround and low production cost environments, the highly durable AquaAce is a waterproof, glossy, silky white paper that delivers photo image quality, allowing graphic and promotional designers to produce signs and posters that have a superior level of color saturation and clean, crisp illustration reproduction without lamination.

An additional thick paper mode also is available on the e-STUDIO211c/311c, supporting paper weights up to 12pt stock, 104lb cover and 158lb index - the thickest "officially" supported paper of any color copier in its price range and target market.

Ease of Use

The network-ready e-STUDIO211c/311c series was designed with a full range of features that can streamline the printing process, reduce costs and increase administrative efficiency while protecting data with its enhanced security options. Key feature highlights include:

Full-Color Output Control - Added to allow administrators to control usage, manage accounts and reduce total cost of ownership (TCO).
Scrambler Board - Offered as an option, this provides virtually unbreakable data encryption for optimum security.
Printout Volume Control - Included to make it possible to restrict the number of pages that can be printed, which also reduces TCO.
Toner Refill Alert - Added feature that warns of impending toner refill, reducing downtime.

Increased Performance of the Fiery Controllers

Key product enhancements to Toshiba's e-STUDIO211c and 311c include two new EFI Fiery controllers, offering faster processors, Fiery System 5.5 and increased memory. This increased performance translates into improved print and scan speeds, with additional features, including:

Driver imposition support, with saddle stitch booklet and imposition support standard
Engine department code integration, which restricts total print and color usage
FreeForm 2.0 for variable data printing
PCL6c interpreter
Scanning capabilities to FTP and i-fax, with templates for minimized keystrokes and proprietary address book for storing e-mail addresses

The e-STUDIO211c and 311c both come standard with two 600-sheet paper cassettes, a 130-sheet bypass tray and optional 1500-sheet large capacity feeder for a 4,030 maximum paper capacity. Maximum monthly duty cycles for both the 211c and 311c are 40,000 pages and 60,000 pages respectively, with color print and copy speeds of 21 CPM/PPM (copies-per-minute, print-per-minute) for the 211c and 31 CPM/PPM for the 311c, and 31 monochrome CPM/PPM from both machines.

The e-STUDIO211c and 311c are available through Toshiba's nationwide network of dealers for the suggested list prices of $19,995 and $24,995 (USD) respectively.

About Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc.

Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. (TABS) manages product planning, marketing, sales, service support and distribution of copiers, facsimiles, multifunction printing products, network controllers and toner products throughout the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TABS comprises four divisions: the Electronic Imaging Division, Toner Products Division, Document Solutions Engineering Division and Toshiba Business Solutions (TBS), a subsidiary which operates a network of acquired office equipment dealers.

Named the most favored manufacturer in seven of the past eight years by the Business Technology Association (BTA), Toshiba's entire product line, customer support and marketing distribution policies are a marker for the industry. Among the many other awards garnered in recent years, Toshiba was named the "Copier Manufacturer of the Year" by the Marketing Research Consultants (MRC) in 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2002 and received the CIO Web Business award for its leading edge intranet site in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

TABS is an independent operating company of Toshiba Corporation, the sixth largest electronics/electrical equipment company and the world's 62nd largest company in terms of sales. Toshiba Corporation is a world leader in high technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. Fiscal year revenue in 2002 was approximately $47 billion.

For more information on Toshiba copier, facsimile, multifunction printing products, network controllers or toner products, or for a dealer in your area, call 1-800-GO-TOSHIBA or visit the TABS Web site at www.copiers.toshiba.com.