Toshiba Tecra M7

Toshiba's Tecra M7 is for users who want a good notebook system with some tablet functionality. Weighing in at almost 6 pounds and sporting a 14.1-inch widescreen display, the Tecra M7 is large and powerful enough for everyday computing, but it lacks the battery performance of its competitors.

The Tecra M7 is a convertible tablet PC and comes with Microsoft's Windows XP Tablet Edition 2005 installed. Weighing 5.9 pounds, the Tecra M7 measures 13.7 by 10.2 by 1.2 inches (1.57 inches in the rear).

The $1,519 base configuration of the Tecra M7 comes with Intel's 1.66GHz Core Duo T2300E processor, 512MB of RAM, a 40GB hard drive, Intel's GMA (Graphics Media Accelerator) 950 and an integrated Intel Wi-Fi module capable of accessing 802.11 a, b and g networks.

Since the Tecra M7 came out, Intel has released the Core 2 Duo processor, which consumes less power than the Core Duo processor. Toshiba officials have said that the Core 2 Duo processor will be available to customers as a build-to-order option before the end of 2006.

Armed with the Intel GMA 950, the Tecra M7 is "Windows Vista Premium Ready," which means the machine can provide users with the full Microsoft Vista experience, including Aero Glass' 3-D graphics, translucency and windows animation. Toshiba placed a biometric fingerprint reader next to the screen, allowing us to log onto the machine regardless of whether we were using the Tecra M7 as a laptop or as a tablet.

The Tecra M7 offers the standard connectivity options, including the tri-band Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection, four USB 2.0 ports and a FireWire port,a five-in-one media card reader that supports Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, MultiMedia and xD Picture cards and a hardware switch allowed us to turn the wireless on and off. Toshiba Tecra M7 unit did not have Bluetooth technology, but the Tecra M7 can be configured at purchase to support it.

The Tecra M7 comes with a keyboard that is almost full-sized, something that is rare in tablet PCs. Another rare feature, a dual-layer DVD burner, adds to the weight but also increases the Tecra M7's functionality.

The digitized stylus, which is included with the Tecra M7, is easy to grip, and writing with it while using the Windows Journal application was like writing on paper. When converting the Tecra M7 from notebook to tablet format, we can found the unit's hinge to be sturdy. The machine also was quick to recognize when we wanted to use it in tablet mode rather than laptop mode.
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