$1,000 HD DVD-equipped laptops just around the bend?

We know, cutting edge technology inevitably becomes cheaper as its launch day gradually fades into the past, but a $1,000 HD DVD-equipped laptop is still a milestone we're looking forward to seeing. As the prices of standalone players continue to sink, Toshiba in particular is hoping to get HD DVD drives into laptop computers that the majority of potential consumers would view as affordable. More specifically, Carl Pinto, vice president of product development and product management at Toshiba, stated that before this year concludes, we'll "be able to buy [HD DVD-equipped laptops] at retail stores for under $1,000." Granted, we aren't going to hold our breath or anything, but with certain manufacturers already offering up the technology as standard on their mobile rigs, we suppose the idea isn't all that far fetched.