Review

Created: April, 1999

Toshiba Tecra 8100 Notebook Computer

By Mike Oliveira, Cyberwalker Media Syndicate

If price is your first concern, then Toshiba's Tecra line is definitely not an option.

At $3,799 US ($5,699 Canadian), the Tecra 8100 notebook is not the most affordable unit on the market.

But sometimes it's not worth saving a few dollars when inferior system performance is going to slow you down. If your business requires quick computing on the go, Toshiba's Tecra line of notebook computers offers all the computing power and extras that money can buy -- for several hundred dollars less than its competition.

If you want a computer on the bleeding edge of technology, the Tecra line is tough to beat. Toshiba's Web site boasts the ability to have your model shipped with one of more than 17,000 possible setups, completely customizable to your needs.

If you need an Ethernet network card for the office, you can select one instead of an internal modem. Or you can bypass a DVD (digital versatile disk, originally called digital video disk) drive and replace it with an auxiliary battery. Every option is open to your preference. You can currently go as fast as a Pentium III 650 with 256 MB of RAM and an 18 GB (gigbabyte) hard drive. When the highly-touted gigahertz processors are released, you can bet Toshiba will offer that option as well.

When shopping for the fastest notebook possible, the Tecra deserves a long look. All these luxuries do come at the cost of some convenience.

The Tecra line certainly doesn't offer the lightest units on the market. The Tecra 8100 is a Pentium III 650 with a 16 GB hard drive, DVD drive and an internal modem and it weighs in at a little more than six pounds.

A computer bag loaded with a similar notebook, a power adapter and some other odds and ends would make a long walk uncomfortable. The Tecra line also isn't the most affordable on the market. But surprisingly, it isn't the most expensive, either. You could easily spend an extra $500 or more on a similar notebook made by another company.

A few nice features elevate the Tecra above its competition. It comes equipped with a large screen, measuring 14.1 inches with a maximum resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels. Its AccuPoint II control stick is easy to get used to, although many will take advantage of the notebook's serial port to plug in a mouse.

There are also two ports for PC cards, a parallel port for a printer, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, a port for an external monitor, a port to connect to a docking station and an infrared port than allows communication with other devices without any cables.

Multimedia components include a built-in microphone and speakers, plus a video-out port to playback DVDs on a TV. While there is no option to have Windows 2000 pre-installed, it does include a new feature called hibernation. Suppose you're in the middle of number crunching when you get an urgent call and you have to run out the door.

With the hibernation feature, there's no need to save your work, exit all open applications and shut down -- you can simply close the lid and leave. Everything is saved to the notebook's hard drive so when you power on - minutes, hours or even days later -- everything is as you left it.

A generous three-hour battery time is also supported by a bevy of power management tools. If you're really desperate for battery power, you can use Intel's SpeedStep technology to reduce the processor's speed and the screen's brightness.

With maximum reductions to performance, you can add about 30 minutes to your three-hour battery time, for a total of three and a half hours. Also, if your power is about to run out, hibernation mode will automatically kick in, saving your progress until you can recharge the battery or plug in. It takes about two hours to charge the battery with the notebook off and as much as six and a half while the power is on.

One glaring omission is a lack of any pre-installed software. If this is your second computer, it may not be an issue. Otherwise, it could mean having to invest in a notebook and whatever software you would need. Toshiba's Tecra line is definitely not an option for small businesses with limited budgets.

Toshiba's Satellite line is much more affordable, ranging from an incredible $999 US ($1,500 Canadian) to $1,799 ($2,700 Canadian). But if power and performance is what you're after, the Toshiba Tecra 8100 is a better deal than some of its competition, although minus a comprehensive software bundle. It's a must-have for the notebook consumer who can afford to demand speed and performance.

Reviewer's rating: 4.5 / 5

Comments: The Toshiba Tecra 8100 is a great choice if you're looking for a powerful notebook and price isn't a consideration. But its six pound weight and lack of pre-installed software must be taken into consideration.

Specifications: Pentium III 650 MHz with 250 KB of level 2 cache, 128 MB of RAM, 8-MB video card, 16-GB hard drive, DVD drive (it can also read CDs, CD-Rs and CD-RWs), 56-K internal modem, 14.1-inch display, built-in microphone, sound card and speakers and an AccuPoint II control stick

More info: http://www.toshiba.com/

Price: $3,799 US, $5,699 Canadian

Buy it now: Click here to buy this product now