Hardware news: Toshiba rolls out laptop upgrades

A monthly round-up of product announcements and hardware industry news.

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Toshiba rolls out laptop upgrades

4 Feb - Laptop specialist Toshiba has “refreshed” several models in its PC range to accommodate new Intel processors and additional software tools.

Three configurations have been added to the company’s Tecra range for corporate users:  A11 and S11 15in models and a 14in M11 machine. The new 15in Satellite Pro S500, meanwhile, has been designed as an “all-in-one” laptop for general business use.

Along with Dell, Toshiba says it is seeing signs of life in the professional laptop market as more mature users look to replace desktop PCs with more mobile models. Internal research shows a growing awareness of security among laptop buyers and users, but there were some differences between IT managers, who wanted more reliable, long-lasting machines and users who ranked useability and design more highly. To accommodate the needs of both groups, Tecra laptops with different processor and peripheral configurations will all have the same black casing design.

The new models are also equipped with Toshiba’s lastest productivity software, carried over from its consumer laptops. LifeSpace has a facility that lets you organise information in your own on-screen bulletin board and ReelTime is an enhanced search facility. One feature that will appeal to accountants with the Satellite Pro S500 will be its built-in numeric keypad.

Also coming soon are two touch-screen models: the Portégé M780, a freshened up version of the company’s 12in swivel-screen tablet PC and the Satellite U500, a 13in fixed screen model. Both machines are compatible with Windows 7’s touch-based gesture commands.