7/25/2008

Review Tablet PC 1

Toshiba Tecra M7 Convertible Tablet Pc:

Basic Overview

First of all, I have to come out and say that I have never owned a Tablet PC, until I purchased my Tecra M7. And second, let me say that I may never go back to a conventional notebook again! The Tecra M7 from Toshiba is not only a powerful notebook computer, but also, by rotating the screen it becomes a Tablet PC, making tasks such as note taking and graphics editing a breeze.


(view large image) The Toshiba Tecra M7 in "notebook mode"




(view large image) The M7 in "tablet mode"




(view large image) Tecra M7 with Stylus and Battery, with a pen for size comparision



Toshiba M7 Specs

  • Tecra M7-ST4013 Tablet PC (customized order from ToshibaDirect.com)
  • Intel Core Duo Processor T2400 (1.83GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)
  • Windows XP Tablet Edition 2005
  • Microsoft Office 2003 Small Business Edition
  • 1024MBx1 DDR2 533MHz RAM
  • 14.1" WXGA+ Display (1440 x 900) with High Brightness/Wide View Angle
  • NVIDIA Quadro NVS 110M with TurboCache and 128MB (dedicated)
  • 60GB HDD (5400rpm, Serial-ATA)
  • CD-RW/DVD-ROM Multifunction drive
  • Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG (802.11a/b/g)
Reasons for Buying

It was summer and I was getting ready to head off into my junior year of College. The laptop I had at the time was an old clunker (at five years-old and having minimal hard drive space). But, it was a Toshiba, and it had served me well. Naturally, I wanted a computer that could last just as long, to be fairly powerful for a notebook, or be too pricey (basically not much more than $2,000). The Tecra M7 was all of these, and just over $2,000 dollars (I purchased Microsoft Office pre-installed, so the actual price is probably around $1,800).



Where and How Purchased

Admittedly, at first I wanted to purchase the Tecra M4. And I did order one from ToshibaDirect. But, seven days later, Toshiba notified me via email that the credit card hadn't gone through. I had put the wrong address down when ordering.

I called the customer support number they gave me and got through right away. They were very helpful, but the Tecra M4 was no longer an option. ToshibaDirect apparently had stopped offering them two days after my previous order. However, a new model, the Tecra M7, was coming out in two days, and they would call back and guide me through the ordering process over the phone then. Needless to say, they called back in two days and I ordered a Tecra M7. It took over two weeks to build, but only two days to ship from China to the USA.



Build

The chassis is metallic silver and black in color, and is rather simple and utilitarian. It feels sturdy, and appears elegant in its own way. And not only does it feel sturdy, it is sturdy! There is no flex anywhere in the keyboard and the screen seems to be well protected. The only complaint I could have against it is in the hinge connecting the screen to the rest of the machine. It has never rotated unless I physically turn it, but it just feels a little too "jiggly". But I may just be too used to the immovable hinges in conventional notebooks.



Design

The Tecra M7 has several features specifically designed to make tablet use easier. For example, the biometric fingerprint scanner is located to the side of the screen, making login in tablet mode as easy as swiping a thumb. Also to the side of the screen are a joystick for easier navigation, a button that works like a second Esc key, a button that is essentially the same as pressing Alt-Ctrl-Delete, and a button to access the Toshiba Assist Console. Sadly, Toshiba must not have been thinking too well when they placed the two programmable keys. Instead of placing them to the side of the display, they are located to the left of the keyboard, making access to them impossible when the computer is in tablet mode.

Another feature worth mentioning is the shock detection sensor. It's a vibration sensor that shuts down the computer's hard disk to prevent damage when the computer is being moved.



Screen

The Tecra M7 has a 14.1" Diagonal WXGA+ Display (1440 x 900) with high brightness and a wide view angle. And while the display is easier to read at strange angles than a typical notebook display, it is still necessary to adjust the screen position for optimum viewing, especially outdoors (though it is never really a hinderance, just typical notebook computer display issues). Where the display really shines however, is in the widescreen and the graphics card. With its NVIDIA Quadro and 128MB of dedicated graphics memory, this computer is more than capable of running a wide variety of graphics intensive programs (though I haven't had much of a chance to really test it out as of yet. Work first you know).



Sound

There are two speakers in the Tecra M7, both located at the upper corners of the keyboard section. Both provide better than average sound for a laptop. The only problem I have with them is that when the computer is in tablet mode, the screen covers over the speakers. Obviously though, the best sound to be had will always be with external speakers.



Processor and Performance

My configuration of the Tecra M7 has the Intel Core Duo 1.83GHz processor option, and has more than enough computing power for any task I use it for. To back up my words, I used SuperPi to provide some hard numbers. SuperPi calculated out to 2 million digits of Pi while my Tecra M7 was running on full power, with over 70 processes running in the background. Go down one section to Benchmarks to see the results.

Toshiba M7 Performance Benchmarks

SuperPi

Time to Calculate Pi to 2 Million Digits (SuperPi)

Notebook Time to Calculate Pi to 2 Million Digits
Toshiba Tecra M7
(1.83GHz Core Duo)		 1m 20s
Toshiba Portege M400
(1.83GHz Core Duo)		 1m 19s
Toshiba Tecra M4 (1.86 GHz Alviso Pentium M) 1m 45s
HP tc4200 (1.73GHz Alviso PM) 1m 51s
Toshiba R15 Tablet PC (1.6GHz Dothan PM) 2m 8s



Hard Drive (HDTune):






Battery Life (Battery Eater Pro):

System Info
Manufacture TOSHIBA
Model TECRA M7
ModelEx PTM71U-02R01E
OS Windows XP Service Pack 2
CPU Info
CPU Manufacture Intel Corporation
CPU Model Genuine Intel(R) CPU T2400 @ 1.83GHz
CPU Frequency ~1830Mhz
CPU Extensions | MMX | SSE2 | HT | Enchanted SpeedStep
CPU Cache Info
Level 1 Instructions 32
Level 1 Data 32
Level 2 Data 2048
System RAM info
Total Memory: 1024Mb
Memory slots 2 ( 1: 512Mb; 2: 512Mb; )
Display Device Info
Adapter NVIDIA Quadro NVS 110M
Resolution 1440x900
OpenGL render device Quadro NVS 110M/PCI/SSE2
OpenGL driver version 2.0.1
Vertex shader version 3.0
Pixel shader version 3.0
Hard Disk Drive Info
S.M.A.R.T. Supported and Enabled
HDD Model FUJITSU MHV2060BH PL
HDD Serial NW9AT662BNR0
HDD FirmWare 00000029
Main Battery Info
Device Name G71C0004S610
Manufacture
Serial #
Unique ID 2100071536G71C0004S610
Chemistry Lithium Ion
Temperature Termal Control Not Present
Designed Capacity 50760mWh
Full Charged Capacity 45252mWh
Designed Voltage 10.8V
Current Voltage 11.26V
Manufacture Date 0/0/0
Cycles Count 0
Cells count 3
Force charge support Not Supported
Force discharge support Not Supported
Benchmark results
CPU BEmarks 0
GPU BEmarks 0
RAM BEmarks 0
HDD BEmarks 0
Work Done
Pi calculations 155532 Cycles
HDD readwrite 6582 Mb
Fames Rendered 580588 Frames
Benchmark Options
Resolution 800x600x32
FullScreen Disabled
Mode Classic
Results
Total time 1:33:16
Discharge rate (minimum) 4294934032 mWh
Discharge rate (maximum) 4294938536 mWh
Discharge rate (average) 4294937518 mWh
Result Graph


Heat and Noise

There really is not much noise produced by either the fan or optical drive. Even so, the computer comes with a quiet mode that reduces any noise to bare minimum. As for heat, the fan exhaust is obviously a hot spot, but it is mercifully located out of the way on the left side of the computer. Still, the lower left section of the keyboard area can get pretty warm, though nothing too uncomfortable.



Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard is nearly a full-sized keyboard, minus the numpad. The arrow keys are shoved up closer to the rest of the keys and Page Up, Page Down, Home, and End are located vertically above those. By using the function key, keys in the middle of the keyboard become the missing numpad, albiet a very awkward to use numpad. I'd recommend a USB keyboard when using the computer at your home desk for maximum functionality, but the built in keyboard is still more than useable, making class notes easy to take.

As for the touchpad, not much can be said. It's a standard touchpad with two buttons. I really can't think of a reason to purchase a mouse when you have the stylus, unless you're intending to play Tribes 3 or any other shooter. The stylus itself, except for use in games, is a powerful tool that makes many tasks a breeze.



Input and Output Ports

The Tecra M7 has 4 USB 2.0 ports, two in the back and one on each side. It also comes with a firewire port on the left side, along with a PC card slot, and a bridge media slot (which I haven't used yet) which is supposedly capable of handling Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Multimedia Card, and xD Picture Cards.




(view large image) Left side- Stylus compartment, CD Drive, USB





(view large image) Right side- Exhaust, USB, FireWire, Bridge Media Slot, PC card slot





(view large image)
Back- DC Power In, Modem Port, S-video port, Network Port, 2 USB, RGB Monitor



Wireless

The Tecra M7 came with the option for either Intel PRO/Wireless or Atheros wireless. Both are comprable and can handle 802.11 a/b/g. I choose the Intel PRO/Wireless, and it works just fine, connecting to the wireless network at home, and at college.



Battery

The battery lasted about 2 and a half to 3 hours, though tweaking the various power options may extend life a bit further.



Operating System and Software

The Tecra M7 came preloaded with Windows XP Tablet Edition 2005, which is essentially Windows XP Pro. However, the M7 came loaded with several junk programs that I will never use, such as AOL internet. It'll take me a couple of hours to track down all the software I don't want and delete it, which is needless to say, annoying. My only other complaint is the lack of recovery disks. If I ever choose to format the hard drive, I'll either have to create over 10 CDs from the recovery partition or leave the partition intact and reload everything from there.



Customer Support

Customer support, as I mentioned at the beginning of this review was more than excellent. It's almost as if Toshiba understands that we as customers don't want to have to find our way through a maze of computer answering systems and customer support representatives who don't speak english to find help. For the few little qualms I have about the Tecra M7, Toshiba's quick and helpful customer support makes it all worth it.



Conclusion

This computer is a great machine for just about anyone. It is powerful, easy to use, and priced to compete with the other computers out there. I highly recommend it.


Pros
  • Portability
  • Power
  • Good Customer Support

Cons
  • Could have had a better battery life
  • Lack of recovery disks
  • Junk software


Fujitsu T4210 Tablet Pc:

Fujitsu Lifebook T4210 Tablet PC

Fujitsu continues to lead the pack in innovative features, introducing the first Tablet PC to incorporate a Bi-Directional Hinge on the screen. The unique hinge allows users to share the screen with people on both sides of them in a meeting. Currently, Fujitsu is the only OEM to offer this feature. In addition to the new The touch pad on the T4210 also has a new feel to it, it's slightly textured and appears to be more precise that other touch pads. .

The Fujitsu Lifebook T4210 is a Convertible style Tablet PC that boots in under 50 seconds with 1 GB of memory installed. We got an 2 hours and 53 minutes battery life with the Tablet running in always on mode, the wireless on, no standby, no hibernate and the screen and hard drive set to always on.

With a wide viewing angle, 12.1" XGA active digitizer indoor/outdoor display , 2 GHz Intel® Core™ Duo Processor, built in DVD writer and 80 gigabyte hard drive the Fujitsu Lifebook T4210 Tablet PC an excellent choice for those who spend a lot of time outdoors and want all the conveniences of a convertible notebook computer combined with the features of the Tablet PC.

Display with Bi-Directional Hinge

Allows users to share the screen with people sitting on both side of them at a meeting!

It's no secret that here at TabletPc2.com we are big fans of the Fujitsu line of Tablet PC computers. In March of this year the Fujitsu P1510D became the first convertible style Table PC to win our Editors choice award. The P1510D was the best travel Tablet PC I have ever used. (I have never missed a Tablet PC as much as I miss this one)

In August 2003 the Fujitsu ST4121 was our first Editors Choice Tablet PC. Fast forward to 2006 and that same Fujitsu st4121 along with its docking station Tablet PC is still in use today, in fact it is currently being used to control the multi million dollar sound system in the Hollywood Bowl.

I have gone through more Fujitsu Tablets than any other, and have yet to wear one out, even after I have passed them on to others. I think it's its worth noting the fact that the Fujitsu Tablet PCs are definitely built to last, which makes them a good choice for students and road warriors alike.

Full Sun

Fujitsu Lifebook T4210 has an indoor outdoor display that is visible in full sun

What's in the Box:M400 Tablet PC Box

  • Fujitsu Lifebook T4210 Tablet PC
  • Active Digitizer pen w/ additional tips & tool
  • AC adapter & Power cord
  • Getting Started Guide
  • Users Guide
  • Phone/Modem Cable
  • Lithium Ion Battery
  • Warranty book
  • Micro fiber Cleaning Cloth
  • 2 Screen Protectors
  • Restore CD
  • Optional bluetooth CD
  • Drivers and Application CD
  • Trusted Platform Mobile Application CD
  • Roxio Cyberlink Digital Media SE CD

Specs on Review Unit

  • Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2500 (2 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz FSB)
  • Intel® 945GM Chipset
  • 12.1" XGA active digitizer indoor/outdoor display with wide viewing angles
  • 1GB DDR2 667 MHz with dual channel support
  • 80GB HDD (5400rpm, Serial-ATA)
  • Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG (802.11a/b/g)
  • Modular Dual-Layer Multi-Format DVD Writer
  • Dual microphone array with IntelliSonic™ noise cancellation software
  • Integrated Fingerprint Sensor, embedded TPM, dedicated Smart Card slot, Fujitsu Security Application Panel
  • Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (up to 224 MB) for optimal graphics and system performance.

    The Lifebook T4210 can be configured with three different processor speeds.

    • Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2500 (2 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz FSB)
    • Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2400 (1.83 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz FSB)
    • Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2300E (1.66 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz FSB)

The Fujitsu Lifebook T4210 Tablet PC inside in normal lighting conditions

The Display: 12.1" XGA active digitizer indoor/outdoor display with wide viewing angles is an great choice for those who spend a good deal of time outdoors and need to be able to see the screen outdoors in sunlight on a daily basis.

Keep in mind that outdoor screens are great to have when you need one, but outdoor screens are not for everyone. The price you pay for the ability to use a Tablet PC in full sun is not having as clean or crisp a screen indoors. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the indoor/outdoor display screen when you are indoors, it's just not as clear or as crisp as an dedicated indoor screen.

That said, If you will be using your Tablet PC indoors most of the time, or you plan on watching movies on your T4210 I suggest that you choose the XGA TFT indoor display, which I'm sure in true Fujitsu fashion will give you a stunningly crisp and clean screen indoors where you use it most. ( the photos are examples of an indoor screen)

Battery Life: 2 hours 53 minutes in always on mode, wireless on, no standby, no hibernate and the screen and hard drive on.

Heat: sitting on the desk with the nothing blocking the fan, the T4210 tens to get warm.

WiFi: Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG (802.11a/b/g) worked where ever we moved without a problem.

Fingerprint Software: the Omnipass fingerprint software worked flawlessly. From start to finish it took less than two minutes to recognize and enroll my fingerprints.


Power DVD console

Ports:

  • Three USB 2.0
  • Infrared port (IrDA 1.1-compatible, 4 Mbps)
  • External monitor/VGA
  • modem (RJ-11)
  • Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45)
  • SD/Memory Stick PRO slot
  • docking connector
  • headphone/line-out/optical digital (SPDIF) jack
  • microphone/line-in jack
    Card Slots

  • One Type I/II PCMCIA slot, 32-bit PC CardBus architecture
  • One Smart Card slot
  • One shared slot for Memory Stick®, Memory Stick PRO™, or Secure Digital (SD) card


Notable Features:

From the Fujitsu Web Site: Groundbreaking performance. Cutting-edge technology. The LifeBook® T4210 Tablet PC with Intel® Core™ Duo Processor combines the functionality of a notebook with the convenience of a tablet The industry-first LCD hinge lets you swivel the display in either direction. The brilliant display provides 160°+ viewing angle and the modular bay supports an optical drive or second battery. BayLock™ protects the optical drive from damage while the system is in tablet mode. The system offers extensive security features, including Fingerprint Sensor, TPM, Smart Card slot, and security panel for the ultimate protection

  • Fujitsu Shock Sensor UtilityShock Sensor
    In the event your hard disk drive experiences an excessive vibration or shock, there is a possibility that the read-write head will come in contact with of the rotating platter, resulting in a "head crash." If this happens, data loss may occur. The Fujitsu Shock Sensor utility is a sophisticated hard disk drive protection system designed to minimize the likelihood of such an event.
  • Indoor/Outdoor (Transmissive) Display—New display technologies allow this screen to be viewed either indoors in your office, and home work environments or during outdoor usage. The bright 12.1" XGA display offers greater than 160° viewing angles.
  • Fujitsu Utility Menu ( a feature we have always liked on the Fujitsu Tablet PCs) Not only is the hardware user-friendly and intuitive, but the Fujitsu-designed software utility bundle is, too. Pressing the Fn (Function) button twice will bring up the floating Fujitsu Menu Utility from which you have one-tap access to almost any setting imaginable for your LifeBook T4210 Tablet PC including brightness control, tablet and pen settings, Fujitsu Display Controls, power options, and more. The Fujitsu Menu is completely customizable so you can use what you want and remove what you don't want. In fact, it's so user-friendly that you can add your own preferences directly onto the menu to give you the most productive, custom-tailored environment.
  • One-Touch Application Launch and Function Buttons
    There are five intuitive and easy-to-use buttons that enable you to launch applications or easily navigate within them. With one-touch launch buttons you can easily rotate your screen orientation or scroll up and down within an application document. Each of these buttons also has a secondary function, and two of the secondary functions are user-programmable
    m400 Left SIde

    Fujitsu Lifebook T4210 left side view

    M400 Right Side view

    Fujitsu Lifebook T4210 right side view

    M400 back view

    Fujitsu Lifebook T4210 Back View


Included Software

  • Microsoft Office OneNote™ 2003
  • Microsoft experience pack for Tablet PC
  • Omnipass ( Biometrics)
  • Cyberlink Power DVD
  • Roxio Digital Media suite
  • 90 days trial Norton Internet Security

The Pros:

  • Bi-Directional Hinge - Allows users to share the screen with people sitting on both side of them at a meeting!
  • Built in DVD writer
  • Dual array microphone
  • Full copy of OneNote 2003
  • Excellent assortment of accessories
  • Not loaded down with programs that you need to remove to optimize performance

The Cons:

  • Like all Tablets with built in optical drives its on the heavy side
  • Tends to get very warm
  • sound quality of the speakers could be better.

In Conclusion:

With the design of a notebook, the flexibility of a tablet and your choice of three Intel® Core™ Duo Processors and two diff rent screens the the Fujitsu Lifebook T4210 has something for everyone.

The Bi-Directional Hinge for the screen makes the T4210 the best choice around for those who need to share the screen with others on a regular basis.

The ease of use of the Fujitsu Lifebook T4210 make the Tablet PC user experience as easy and friendly as possible and the available accessories make it an excellent choice for users in any setting.

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Toshiba Portege M400-S933 Tablet Pc:

Toshiba M400

Toshiba M400-S933 Tablet PC

With the addition of the M400 Tablet PC, Toshiba continues to offer users a convertible style notebook that includes the functions and flexibility Tablet PC. the Toshiba M400 comes with your choice of the Intel® Core™ Solo Processor or, for optimal performance, the Intel® Core™ Duo Processor.

The M400 is a Convertible style Tablet PC that boots in under 60 seconds with 512 ram installed. We got an 3 hours and 29 minutes battery life with the Tablet running in always on mode, the wireless on, no standby, no hibernate and the screen and hard drive set to always on.

With its 12.1" Diagonal Wide View Angle XGA Display , 1.66 GHz Intel® Core™ Solo Processor, built in DVD and an 80 gigabyte hard drive make Toshiba's M400 Tablet PC an excellent choice for anyone who wants the convenience of having a Tablet PC with keyboard and built in optical drive in a lightweight package.

M400 outside in shade

The Toshiba Protege M400 does not have an indoor outdoor display, however you can see the screen outdoors in indirect sunlight with out a problem.

m400 Left SIde

Toshiba M400 left side view

Heat vents - security cable connector - USB (x2) - PCMCIA slot - Firewire

The Portégé® M400 packs powerhouse performance into a supremely portable package. Extended battery life and an array of connectivity options keep you productive and get you connected while on the go. Mobile productivity goes even further with rigorously engineered Toshiba EasyGuard™ technology designed for optimal reliability, security, connectivity and optimization—in any mobile setting.

M400 Right Side view

Toshiba M400 right side view

Push to release Stylus holder - Card Reader (SD, Memory Stick-XD ) - Modular Bay

M400 Tablet PC Box

What's in the Box:

  • Toshiba Protege M400 Tablet PC
  • Quick Start Guide
  • AC adapter & Power cord
  • Pen
  • Toshiba Protege M400 Series Resource Guide
  • Microsoft Office Edition 2003 Trial Product Key
  • Toshiba Enhancing Mobility by design Accessory book

M400 back view

Toshiba M400 Back View

Power in - USB (x1) - VGA Out - phone/ Modem port - Ethernet Port

Specs:

  • Intel® Core™ Solo Processor T1300 1.66GHz
  • 12.1" Diagonal Wide View Angle XGA Display
  • 512MB PC5300 DDR2 667MHz SDRAM
  • 80GB HDD (5400rpm, Serial-ATA)
  • Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG (802.11a/b/g)
  • Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with 8MB-128MB dynamically allocated shared graphics
  • CD-RW/DVD-ROM Multifunction drive

The Toshiba M400 Tablet PC inside in normal lighting conditions

The Display: In true toshiba fashion the 12.1" Diagonal Wide View Angle XGA Display is beautiful. It's clean, crisp and clear and the black border around the viewable portion of the screen eliminates the problem of trying to close an app from a non responsive corner of the screen. While this is not an outdoor viewable screen you can see from the photo below that you can see it well outdoors in indirect light

Battery Life: 3 hours 29 minutes in always on mode, wireless on, no standby, no hibernate and the screen and hard drive on.

Heat: Heat isn't an issue with the M400 the internal fan keeps this machine nice and cool.
WiFi: Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG (802.11a/b/g)

Fingerprint Software: easy to use and we were able to enroll our fingerprint on the first try.

Ports:

  • 3-USB (2.0) ports
  • i.LINK IEEE 1394
  • RJ-45 LAN port
  • RJ-11 modem port
  • Headphone jack
  • Microphone jack


Notable Features:

  • Toshiba Shock Protection System to provide higher impact protection and reliability for key hardware components.
  • Spring loaded pen slot makes it easy to access the pen
  • Hidden pen compartment on bottom of machine with extra pen
  • Ships with Microsoft One Note 2003 and GoBinder Lite


Software included:

Software and Utilities

  • My Safe
  • Toshiba Config Free
  • Bluetooth Remote Camera
  • Raid Console
  • Electronic Users Guide
  • Password Utility
  • Toshiba Assist

    Third Party Software
  • Protector Suite Software ( Biometrics)
  • Microsoft Office OneNote™ 2003
  • Microsoft Works
  • Microsoft Office 2003 Trial
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0
  • Microsoft Education Pack for Tablet PC
  • Microsoft Experience pack for Tablet PC
  • Agilix GoBinder Lite
  • Franklin Covey Tablet Planer 30 day trial
  • InterVideo Win DVD 5
  • McAfee Security Center
  • Sonic Solutions Record Now!
  • Sonic Solutions Drive Letter Access
  • Yahoo Music Engine
  • DVD-Ram

The Pros:

  • Excellent display
  • Light weight
  • Built in Bluetooth
  • Built in optical drive that is removable
  • large selection of USEFULL software pre installed - including a full copy of OneNote 2003
  • Compartment on underside of the M400 holds a spare pen
  • Excellent assortment of accessories

The Cons: M400 Taskbar

  • While we continue to applaud Toshiba for including so many useful applications, the default from the factory is set to load way many programs on launch, so you need to "tweak it" for best performance. (I recommendation is that you install a utility called "Start up Control Panel" for this)
  • Poor sound quality - not a machine we recommend for those who like to listen to music while they are working.

In Conclusion:

A good choice for those who want a crisp clear display and built in optical drive. Toshiba continues to provide good value for the price. The Toshiba Protege M400 looks good and it feels good in your hands. The hardware and software configurations make the Tablet PC user experience as easy and friendly as possible and the available accessories make it an excellent choice for users in any setting.

With the design of a notebook and the flexibility of a tablet the Toshiba M400 with the Intel® Core™ Solo Processor is reasonably prices and provides good performance. A perfect machine for the first time tablet user, road warrior or students on the go.

For the Power user, those who plan on upgrading to windows Vista in the future or those of you who have the budget to do so, I recommend ordering the M400 with the Intel® Core™ Duo Processor.

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Click here to purchase a Toshiba Tablet PC



Toshiba Accessories

Toshiba Battery Protector

Toshiba Battery Recharger with Integrated AC Adapter

This Toshiba battery charger provides external battery charge to portable computer
 batteries, enabling multiple, ready-to-use batteries to be available for mobile warriors. You will never be out of power on the road.

Compatible with Toshiba Satellite 5200, 5205, A10, A15, A50, A55, M30, M35, R10, R15, Satellite Pro 6000, 6100, M10, M15, Portege, 3500, 3505, 4000, 4005, 4010, M100, M200, M205, M300, S100 and Tecra 9000, 9100, A1, A2, M1, M2, M2V, M3, M4, S3, TE2000, TE2100 series portable computers and Qosmio E15, F15, F25, G15, and G25 series AVPCs.

Specifications:
  • Power:
    • Input: 100V - 240V~ ; 0.61A-0.25A 50-60 Hz
    • Output: 12.6V == 3.6A
  • Dimensions: 9" x 5.5" x 1.25"
  • Weight: 1 lb 9.6 oz (with power cord)
  • In the box: One Toshiba Battery Charger with Integrated AC Adapter and User's Guide
  • One year limited warranty

Note: If you need a battery charger for your Portege 2000, 2010 or R100, please use Toshiba Slim Port Replicator with AC Adapter and Battery Charging Module (PA3156U-1PRP).
Toshiba Screen Protector

Toshiba Keyboard Protector for Portege and Tablet PCs

The Toshiba Keyboard Protector is specially designed to protect the most valuable part of your notebook computer - the motherboard, which is housed right below your notebook keyboard. The silicone keyboard protector is ideal for any environment and the general wear and tear caused by everyday use.

It prevents damage to your keyboard and computer from dirt, crumbs or even accidental spills. It is must-have protection for your portable PC.

Features:

  • Keep your computer and keyboard free and dry from any messy crumbs or spills
  • Machine or hand washable - Just let it dry and place it back on your keyboard
  • One year limited warranty

Toshiba Case

Toshiba 3-in-1 Tablet PC Leather Portfolio for 12-inch Portege

Ideal to be used for storage or to carry your Tablet PC between meetings, this Toshiba 3-in-1 leather portfolio case is designed for your portable convenience. Retractable handles, zippered closure and elastic retention straps secure the computer and other accessories in place, and it can be used either in PC mode or Tablet mode.

Features:

  • 3 in 1 convenience - Use for storage between meetings and work in PC or Tablet mode
  • Fits inside your existing notebook carrying case
  • External file sleeve with business card and SD memory pockets
  • Constructed of soft glove leather with scratch-resistant lining
  • Elastic retainers hold notebook PC snugly
  • Retractable handle can be retracted into the back cover, so it is out of the way while working
  • Designed especially for Toshiba Portege M200 and M205 series Tablet PCs
  • Compatible with Toshiba Portege 3500, 3505, M200, M205, M400 and M405 series Tablet PCs
  • One year limited warranty
Toshiba Port Replicator

Toshiba Express Port Replicator (w/ 90W AC Adapter)

The Toshiba Express Port Replicator is an adjustable docking solution designed to work with Portege M400 or M405 series portable computers. It provides you the convenience of easy conversion of your notebook to a versatile desktop environment with cable management. This saves wear-and-tear both on notebook ports as well as the cable plugs themselves.

Since the Toshiba Express Port Replicator comes with its own 90W AC adapter, it will also save you the expense of purchasing a second AC adapter for home.

Features:
  • Cable management system for quick docking
  • Eliminate the need to reconnect cables and peripherals
  • Convenient front hook and guide plate design provide easy docking and undocking
  • System switch with one-touch disconnect button
  • Integrated lock slot for optional cable lock help secure your notebook PC and express port replicator
  • Open design to accommodate extended battery packs
  • In the box: One Toshiba Express Port Replicator, 90W Global AC Adapter with power cord (PA2521U-3ACA) and user's manual
  • One year limited warranty
Toshiba Pen

Toshiba Tablet PC Reserve Pen

This Toshiba Tablet PC Reserve Pen is designed to work with your Toshiba Satellite R10, R15, Portege M200, M205, M400, M405 and Tecra M4 series Tablet PCs in case of an emergency situation. Compared to the PC pen that was included with your Tablet PC, this reserve pen is smaller and can be stored next to a main battery inside the computer.

So in case you lose the regular Tablet PC pen, you can still input using the reserve pen until the regular PC pen is relocated or replaced.

Features:

  • Designed for an emergency situation when you can't find your regular Tablet PC pen
  • Small and lightweight, so it can be stored inside the Tablet PC
  • No batteries or connecting cords needed
  • Side switch activates the 2nd mouse button
  • Designed to work with Toshiba Satellite R10, R15, Portege M200, M205, M400, M405 and Tecra M4 series Tablet PCs
  • One year limited warranty


HP Compaq TC1100:

What's In The Box:

HP-Compaq TC1100 Tablet PC

Portfolio(case), Battery, Tablet PC pen & Tethers, replacement caps for joystick, Full set of Restore CD's, power supply, ethernet cable, Phone cable, Quick Setup sheet, User Guide

Specs:

  • 1.00GHz - Intel® Pentium® M processor

  • 10.4" XGA (1024x768) display

  • 1GB SDRAM memory

  • 60GB hard drive

  • HP Wlan 802.11a/b/g w500

  • 32 MB nVidia Geforce4 Go 420

  • Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition

  • 3 Year worldwide limited warranty

for full spec's click here

HP TC1100 Tablet PC

Normally I don't take a Tablet or anything else computer related when I am skiing, but knowing the warm weather would mean I would be off the mountain early in the day I made an exception and brought a couple of Tablets along for the trip. With clear blue sky's and temperatures in the high 50's and low 60's the skiing was great until about 1:30 when then mountain became a giant snow cone. Forced off the mountain early I had time to put the New and Improved HP TC1100 through its paces. When I came home I installed Windows XP SP2-RC1 which includes the much anticipated Lonestar upgrade without a problem.

Weighing in at 4.0lb/1.8kg with the keyboard and 3.1 lb/1.4 kg pounds keyboard, the tc1100 is in a class by itself, known as a a hybrid tablet pc. Meaning that the screen swivels and folds flat against the keyboard for use as a slate or at the touch of a button it can be detached from the keyboard altogether. Another nice feature are the small fold out clips that allow you to angle the tablet on the desk for a more comfortable writing experience on a flat surface. There is no question that HP paid attention to the details when designing this machine.

Cleverly placed buttons and a jog dial on the side of the Tablet allow you to enter, tab, escape, and open a "Q" menu of items that emulate tasks quickly and easily. First time users would find the out of box experience more enjoyable and much less threatening if these features were pointed out on the startup sheet or even the front of the manuel rather than having them hidden in in chapter 5.

The Display: 10.4" XGA (1024x768) display is clear, the 1/4 inch black border around the viewable portion of the screen eliminates the problem of trying to close an app from a non responsive corner of the screen. I did not find the screen to be as responsive as other tablet pc's which was a problem for me. It was interesting to note there was a significant increase in the screen sensitivity after Windows XP-SP2 RC1 was installed. The screen orientation changes automatically on the TC1100, which is a very nice feature. Also worth noting, if its slightly overcast outside I can see the screen well enough to work from the upstairs outside balcony so I am not trapped in the house for lack of an indoor outdoor screen. (Thank you HP! )

Battery Life: Between 2 hours and 36 minutes and 2 hours and 43 minutes under normal use with with the backlighting and Wi FI on.

Heat: As I have said in the past, I am not in the habit of working with the Tablet PC in my lap, but I frequently do use the tablet with my hand behind it. The TC1100 does get warm but not overly so.

WiFi: the HP Wlan 802.11a/b/g in the TC1100 literally amazed me. My router is a older Dlink Di-713P and I'm able to connect with with excellent signal strength not only from second and third floors of my home and both outside balcony's, but from the basement, the pool and all the way to the outside mailbox's, which is not something any of my other Tablets Pc's can do.

Notable Features: Q menu, and external pen activated buttons on the tablet allow you do do anything you need quickly and easily.

Case: The worry of the Tablet accidentally falling out when you unzip the case is eliminated as the tablet can be secured to the case by means of sliding switch on the back of the Tc1100 keyboard. Clean and simple the Tc1100 portfolio case that is included with the tablet is a basic zip around case with no handles, shoulder strap or inside pockets for papers or additional accessories.

HP does offer an extensive selection of optional cases and backpacks that can be found here Cases

Pen: Tablet PC tethered pen, no eraser. The pen is thicker than most pens included with Tablets PC's and has a good feel to it. I am a big fan of tethered pen because it ensures they don't get lost.

An optional Tablet PC eraser pen will we available in April 2004

Tablet PC Docking Station

NOT TESTED OR REVIEWED HP did not send a Docking station for me to review (my fault, not Hp's as I forgot to ask that it be included) so I can't give you any specifics. But I recommend buying the TC1100 (or any slate model) Tablet with the docking station if you can. In my opinion, the added ease of use and convenience of having a docking station is well worth the price.

  • Landscape And Portrait Viewing
  • Supports Viewing And Writing Modes
  • Supports Multi-Monitor Modes
  • VGA Port
  • 4 USB 2.0 Ports
  • RJ-45 Pass Thru From Tablet
  • Line-in, Line-out
  • MultiBay - supporting CD, DVD, CDRW, and Combination DVD-CDRW

Keyboard: since the TC1100 is a hybrid model Tablet PC, the keyboard is removable with the simple push of a sliding switch, so the choice is yours. Leave it attached and it functions as a convertible Tablet PC. Remove the Keyboard an you have a slate.

The attached keyboard is a definite plus from travel and when your on the go, but it's close proximity to the screen may not be comfortable for everyone.

An optional HP Easy Access Wireless Keyboard and Mouse combines a cordless keyboard, cordless optical mouse, and USB wireless receiver in a single package. This stylish set delivers the convenience, comfort, and elegance of wireless keyboard and optical mouse operation to the computer desktop. (Available in late March)

The Pros:

  • The optional HP W500 802.11a/b/g WLAN is the best Wireless I have used to date
  • Light weight and compact, the TC1100 is great for travel
  • External pen activated icons and programmable"Q" Menu give you instant access to everything you need
  • Hybrid model gives you the option using it as a slate or a convertible
  • Quickly and easily detaches from the case and the keyboard for use as a Slate
  • fold out feet that allow you to angle the tablet on the desk for a more comfortable writing experience
  • Screen orientation changes automatically
  • 3 Year worldwide limited warranty

The Cons:

  • Optical drive must be purchased separately.
  • Unlike a convertible when the tc1100 is closed the face of the tablet is exposed and not protected so a case is a must.
  • For the first time user of a tablet pc the hardware information is in section 5 of the startup guide rather than in the front. If you a new user and don't know where any of the buttons are or what they are for this is a problem
  • Keyboard too close to the screen for comfort

In Conclusion:

Without question The TC1100 is the most improved Tablet PC on I have come across and all of the implemented improvements are for the better. The pen no longer's requires a battery, the Nvida Geforce4 give you excellent graphics and the The HP W500 802.11a/b/g WLAN was far and away the most impressive wireless I have used. Easy to take apart and put back together this Hybrid Tablet PC is a great choice for the road warrior or anyone who move around a lot.

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