Toshiba is unveiling this week the first HD DVD writer drive slim enough for use in laptop computers. Premiering at CEATEC, the drive (model SD-L902A) is the standard 12.7 mm height, and can read and write HD DVD, standard DVD and CD discs, according to Toshiba, which is the industry's prime advocate for the format.
The company said working samples of the new HD DVD writer drive will be available to computer makers later this year, and laptops and maybe other portable devices with the HD DVD writer could begin to reach retail outlets by the third or fourth quarter of next year.
This week's CEATAC confab is also expected to yield several other new products for both HD DVD and Blu-ray formats.
