It's definitely in the running for tablets I'm considering buying for college next year, but 6 lbs? Oof! I'll have to wait and see how the IBM turns out (and the new Motion, if it's released in time).
It is the week for hardware news! Just got this
It is the week for hardware news! Just got this in from Warner Crocker:
"Toshiba's Digital Products Division, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. and provider of industry-leading portable computers, projectors and other mobile-related services and products, today announced the Tecra(R) M4, the company's first Tecra-branded convertible Tablet PC targeted at the mobile professional. The product is part of Toshiba's 20th anniversary celebration of the first mass-marketed laptop computer.
The Tecra M4 integrates the innovation of pen-based computing with the power and functionality synonymous with Tecra notebook computers. The convertible design of the Tecra M4 allows users to work with a traditional keyboard or rotate and fold the screen down for use as a Tablet PC with digital pen-based input and control. This provides users the convenience to send hand-written emails and make impromptu presentations while sitting, reclining or standing up, enabling new possibilities for productivity and multi-tasking in any location.
"The Tecra M4 brings together Tecra notebook technology with the latest advances in Tablet PC functionality, offering business professionals a convertible Tablet PC designed to increase productivity while providing a high level of performance and investment protection," said Taro Hiyama, vice president of marketing, Digital Products Division, Toshiba America Information Systems. "For Toshiba, the Tecra M4 represents another innovative offering in our 20-year history of delivering leading-edge mobile computing products for the business user."
With a 14-inch diagonal wide viewing angle SXGA+ display, the Tecra M4 simulates the dimensions of a paper notepad in Tablet PC mode, offering the viewing and writing area equal to an 8.5- by 11-inch piece of paper. Equipped with Microsoft(TM) Office OneNote(TM) 2003 software, users can write and draw just like they would with pen and paper, as well as edit, organize and even search through handwritten notes on their Tablet PC. OneNote 2003 also allows users to record audio notes as well."
Here are the specs:
* Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) M Processor(2) 740 (1.73 GHz, 533MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache)
* Display: 14.1-inch diagonal TFT active-matrix LCD SXGA+ (1400 x 1050)
* System Chipset: Mobile Intel(R) 915PM Express Chipset
* Graphics Controller: Choice of NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 6200 TE 64M or 6600 TE 128M graphics*
* Memory: 512MB (standard) DDR2 SDRAM, 533MHz memory (max 2GB)
* Hard Drive: 60GB (SATA/5400 rpm) HDD(4)
* Optical Drive: Slim SelectBay(R) DVD SuperMulti Drive DVD+R (Double Layer)
* Wireless: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG (802.11b/g) wireless
* Ports: 3 USB 2.0, RGB, Headphone, Mic-in, 240-pin docking connector, IEEE-1394, S-Video, RJ-45 LAN port (10/100/1000 Ethernet), RJ-11, Fast Infrared, SD card slot
* Battery: 6-cell Lithium ion battery (4700 mAh) - up to 3 hours
* Operating System: Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Tablet Edition 2005
* Dimensions: 12.9- x 11.4- x 1.45-inch (f/r)
* Weight: 6.2 lbs.(7)
* Warranty: Standard three-year limited warranty
* Base Price: $1999
This looks to be one powerful tablet: super multi-drive, 1400 x 1050 resolution, 64 / 128 mb video card. Read More takes you to the press release. Here is the link to the product page at Toshiba.
url: http://home.businesswire.com/portal/...ewID=news_view
It's definitely in the running for tablets I'm considering buying for college next year, but 6 lbs? Oof! I'll have to wait and see how the IBM turns out (and the new Motion, if it's released in time).
6lbs isn't that bad when you look at comparable Tablets like the Acer 300 series.
The good news is that as Tecra is an existing range of traditional laptops it would appear that Toshiba are really taking the bull by the horns and this could be the first step to adoption of ink technology in all mobile devices. Whatever happens, with this release hot on the heels of the R10 and R15 Toshiba are certainly showing a real commitment to the Tablet PC which should send a message to other manufacturers that it is here to stay and they should take note or be left behind.
It really seems that this is aimed at the laptop replacement category, rather than the ultra-light, portable market. Six pounds is pretty heavy :(
"This looks to be one powerful tablet:" a powerful tablet for a powerful person. I guess we can all start taking steroids now. ;)
with 6 lbs and 3 hr battery life it's probably not aimed at the "mobile" professional.
Ouchquote:Originally posted by Zaphod
"...3 hr battery life...
Come on guys, be nice. I for one always take a 6.3 pound legal pad to meetings. My clients usually have a lot to say!
Seriously, the smaller TPC are more to my liking, just as are the smaller laptops. Still and all, my legal pad doesn't weigh 3 pounds either.
Hmmm... that is quite heavy. But with a 14" 1400x1050 screen, there shouldn't be any surprise! I wonder if there's a business in making custom carbon-fiber cases for big tablet convertibles?
I'm also curious how wide the wide-angle viewing screen is. It's probably not as wide as the Boe-Hydis displays (based on the article in Pen Computing), but I'd like to know if it's wide enough for most purposes.
I wonder if this will drive the price down on the model I'm looking at? The fujitsu convertible (4010) has integrated video, a smaller screen (smaller should be cheaper....right?), a slower processor...and perhaps even less memory in it's starting build. Please, please, please....pretty please. :)
Unfortunately, 6 lbs is neither a surprise nor a disappointment. It should be, though.
I want a 2 lb tablet with a 14" screen - doggonit. I mean, tablet technology is almost 3 years old. That's older than my grandfather in dog years. They should be further along.
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