Toshiba Tecra A7-S612 and A7-S712 Laptops
Toshiba's also launched the A7 series of laptops targeted at the small-to-medium business sector. There are supposedly two models available, the Toshiba Tecra A7-S612 and the Toshiba Tecra A7-S712. However, I could not find any information about the S712 on Toshiba's website, apart from their press release. That's strange!
Toshiba offers a recommended configuration (detailed below), but you can customize the processor, system memory size, hard drive capacity, and display technology (you can opt for a NVIDIA Quadro NVS) to best match your needs.
Toshiba Tecra A7-S612 recommended configuration:
- Intel Core Solo Processor T1300 (1.66GHz, 2MB L2 cache, 667MHz FSB)
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional
- 512MB PC4200 DDR2 533MHz SDRAM (512MBx1)
- 15.4" Diagonal Widescreen XGA TruBrite display (1280x800)
- Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with 8MB-128MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory
- 80GB HDD (5400rpm, Serial-ATA)
- CD-RW/DVD-ROM Multifunction drive
- Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG (802.11a/b/g), 5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter, ExpressCard slot, 1-PC Card slot, 4-USB (2.0) ports, IEEE 1394 port, TV-out (S-Video) port, Fast Infrared (4Mbps) port, RJ-45 LAN port, RJ-11 modem port, Microphone jack (monaural), headphone jack (stereo), RGB Monitor port, 240-pin docking port
- 6-cell Lithium Ion battery (4000mAh)
Download the complete product specification via this PDF.
The elusive Toshiba A7-S712, on the other hand, would feature the Intel Core Duo Processor T2400 (1.83GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB). Other features are same as the A7-S612.
As with the A6, a highlight of the A7 series is the Toshiba EasyGuard technology - a series of hardware and software enhancements to help boost mobile security, system integrity, network connectivity and overall ease of use. EasyGuard technology consists of four elements: Protect & Fix, Secure, Connect and Optimize. You can read about these features in detail in the extended entry. Don't miss reading it though.
The Toshiba A7-S612 can be ordered from the product website given below. It carries a price tag of US$1249. The A7-S712, according to the press release, carries a price of US$1399. Try your luck at finding the S712 (let me know if you do find it).
I forgot to mention one point in my review of the Toshiba A6-S513. Both the A6 and the A7 laptops are RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) compliant.
Product website: Toshiba Tecra A7-S612
Protect & Fix
Utilizing a multi-level approach to data protection, Toshiba's latest two Tecra A Series notebooks incorporate vibration-dampening materials to help safeguard the hard drive against shock and impact.
In addition, the Toshiba Tecra A6 and Toshiba Tecra A7 include the Toshiba Hard Disk Drive Protection System to guard the hard drive against possible damage resulting from accidental dropping, turbulence, impact or vibration. Through the integration of a 3D accelerometer, the Toshiba HDD Protection System detects when the notebook experiences unsafe, sudden "acceleration" in any direction. Once danger is detected, the hard drive immediately places itself into a protected mode and parks the hard drive head until the system determines it is safe to resume normal operation.
Another value-add is the inclusion of a spill resistant keyboard(4) that affords users time to save work and shut down the system. If an accident should occur, this feature will help prevent the loss of data.
Secure
These affordable, business-class notebooks employ a multi-pronged approach to security in order to help defend against unauthorized access, data theft and virtual attacks. The root of Toshiba's security design is the Trusted Platform Module an embedded security chipset that stores encryption keys, passwords and user credentials to ensure that data cannot be accessed or seen by anyone but an authorized user.
Separating the two Tecra A Series notebooks from other budget-minded notebooks is an integrated biometric fingerprint reader with single sign-on functionality. This added security option allows the user to establish passwords for the BIOS, hard drive and operating system and associate them with one's fingerprint. By assigning passwords to these critical components of the notebook unauthorized users must overcome three unique password challenges just to launch the system's operating system. Large and small businesses will appreciate the ability to implement complex password schemes to maintain the integrity of secured data and applications. On an individual basis, users can benefit from the simplicity of password management for quick and easy access to the system and data.
Connect
Another differentiator of both the Tecra A6 and Tecra A7 is the adoption of proprietary technologies such as Toshiba's ConfigFree(R) and the company's patented Diversity Antenna. ConfigFree(R) is Toshiba's intuitive graphic connectivity management utility created to simplify the connectivity experience when using wired and wireless Ethernet. Toshiba's Diversity Antenna design delivers superior wireless signal reception through the integration of strategically placed dual-band Wi-Fi antennas in the notebook's display.
Optimize
The fourth element, Optimize, is a series of proprietary software enhancements, enabling users to customize notebook settings for maximum system performance and battery life based on individual needs and preferences. Features include Toshiba Power Saver, to maximize battery life and breeze through a meeting fully connected; Toshiba's Presentation button, a one-touch button to display the screen's image onto an LCD projector or external monitor easily and instantaneously; and a wireless on/off switch enabling and disabling the integrated wireless LAN (Wi-Fi(R)).
Stumble It! | Posted by Paul on February 8, 2006 11:03 PM
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