The Portege R400 is a slim, 12-inch tablet PC that Toshiba claims is the first portable computer to feature an edge display whereby e-mail and calendar alerts can be read in real-time even with the lid closed or when it is in sleep mode.

In launching the product, Toshiba's information systems division general manager Mark Whittard expressed confidence that the market for tablet PCs will expand once customers become more aware of the productivity benefits.

Whittard said the education sector has been particularly receptive to tablets because they allow students to interact with computers in a more natural way, for example with handwriting, than the traditional notebook or desktop keyboard.

While details of large-scale enterprise tablet PC deals have been scarce since they burst onto the scene several years ago, Whittard named pharmaceutical company Pfizer as one tablet user and the wider health industry as another strong sector for the devices.

Whittard is also adamant enterprises are purchasing tablets in significant quantities for their properties as a tablet and not for a notebook that happens to convert into a tablet.