Toshiba Tecra 8100:Two tone, thin, technical treasure
Written: Dec 07 '00 (Updated May 14 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Immunity from obsolescence, two-tone case, fast processor, external floppy
Cons: Flimsy USB door, loud fan on startup (fault), speakers on side of unit.
The Bottom Line: I recommend you get your company to buy this for you, for the speed, durability, great screen, and ability to replace your desktop forever, freeing up desk space.
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| pageclot's Full Review: Toshiba Tecra 8100 (PT810U-12CP7) PC Notebook |
Summary:
The Tecra 8100 is fast, reasonably quiet, and a lot easier to carry around than a tower unit CPU.
Why Why Why
I, like most users of the Tecra 8100, did not buy it myself. I signed the purchase order, and my company bought it for me. If I had to pay for a laptop myself, I doubt I would have paid the premium to get the Tecra. My needs as a corporate user, however, necessitated the purchase of the Tecra. I need power, speed, and the nifty two tone shell.
The Tecra replaced a Toshiba 4100 Satellite, which was slightly thicker and a little heavier, but a fine unit all the same. The unit we bought is a 650MHZ model, with the Speedstep technology, which runs the clockspeed at 600MHZ when it's not plugged into an AC adaptor. They are currently available in 850MHz form. Toshiba updates the processors to the fastest available at the time, but keeps the model number the same until they do a major redesign, when they increase the model number (i.e. Tecra 8200).
Features:
The Tecra 8100 features a 650MHz PIII processor, 128 MB RAM (I forget whether 64MB is standard. If it is, please go for the extra RAM. You won't regret it), a 16 GB hard drive, (currently being sold with 20GB HDD) 14" Active matrix display, slots for 2 type II PCMCIA cards, one USB port, a fast DVD drive, internal 56K v.90 modem, and an Infrared port for (what else) infra red communications with other devices that have infrared communications ability and the same software.
The Tecra's pointing device is a little stalk placed between the g, h, and b keys on the keyboard. Buttons are below the space bar, and are software configurable. There are two programmable mouse buttons, slightly above the top mouse button. The case has a built-in microphone, and the smallish speakers are on the right and left sides of the case.
Salient features:
Keyboard:
The keyboard has the standard laptop layout with (counting...) 85 keys. One deviation from other laptop keyboards is two Alt keys. One to the left and one to the right of the space bar. This added key is great for those of us who are used to keyboard shortcuts. The "feel" of the keyboard is good, with a slight forcefeedback, a la the original IBM PC keyboards, but without the annoying clicking sound.
Mouse:
After 4 Toshiba laptops, I finally gave up on the internal pointy stick and bought an external trackball (subject of a future review). I can still use the pointy stick in a pinch, but the trackball is faster. One positive thing about having the pointy stick is that you're really motivated to learn the keyboard shortcuts in Windows programs so that you can avoid using it.
Display:
Bright, crisp, and as big as a 14" monitor screen. Highly recommended.
Case:
The on/off switch has a door that can slide to hide it, and prevent inadvertant on/offing. The USB port door is flimsy plastic, and I expect it to break any day now (update - still holding out). The hinged door on the Satellite 4100 was superior. PCMCIA card slots are fine. The external floppy port is directly below the PCMCIA slots, and if they are filled, the floppy takes some work to connect. The port is upside down, with the wider part at the bottom, counterintuitive, after years of serial and parallel ports all having their wide parts at the top. The volume control for sound is on the front of the case, and should be rubberized, as it's difficult to reach. The DVD drive on the right hand side is easily accessible, as is the internal modem, directly behind the DVD. When I have the modem cable plugged in, it tends to block access to the DVD. Perhaps I should snake the modem cable behind the machine.
Fan:
This is one hot machine. Through a 1/2 inch thick wooden desk, I can tell where the processor is. There's a fan on the left hand side of the case, blowing enough hot air out to keep your coffee warm for several hours. It also warms small jars of baby food, as well. Also, sometimes, when I turn the computer on, the fan sounds like there's a hockey card stuck in there somewhere. Once it warms up, the sound subsides. This is a defect in about 1% of Tecras, noted elsewhere, and is easily fixed by a repair department.
Case, external:
Possibly my favourite part about the Tecra is the two toned colouring scheme. The silver/grey case is very pleasing to the eye, and distinctive. Also, the slightly rubbery grey top is grippier than the solid plastic of other Toshiba models, making it harder to drop. It could be better, though. I remember an early Compaq Contura notebook with a handle. That was the ideal.
Battery life:
Pretty good, actually. 3 hours is the most I've experienced, with a lot of hard drive activity and recalculations.
Speed/usability:
It's fast. It works. Probably faster than most desktops in your company. It plays videos, powerpoint presentations without flicker. It will run just about anything without conflicts. Go to Toshiba's website to make sure you have the most up to date BIOS, as I had some conflicts with the trackball I bought to replace the pointy stick.
Who would benefit most from using this product:
Business people who need the most powerful laptop for numbercrunching, presentations that must not fail, salespeople with demos to run, databases to maintain, etc. Programs load fast, and crashes are few.
Why would I choose this product over the competition:
This comes down to what you, as a user, are comfortable with. If you like Toshibas, you'll like the Tecra. I haven't used too many other brands of laptops lately. Obviously, if you want a Mac platform, you'll go for an iMac notebook. I believe when you spend this much money, you get a certain amount of longevity. I fully expect this laptop to still be current a few years from now, or at least useful. I've had it 6 months, and have yet to get frustrated with it, or tired of it.
Accessories:
I've used a Logitech Trackman Marble Wheel with this laptop, and it works (you will have to download the updated version of Mouseworks from Logitech, though). I have hooked up external projection systems to it, and they worked. Included with the system is a video out port that I haven't used, but you should be able to use a TV as a display, with slight losses in resolution (TV's aren't as precise as laptops). Headphones work with it. I have used Olicom Go Card Network PCMCIA cards, and a Sony Digital Camera PCMCIA adaptor with no problems.
Conclusion:
I highly recommend this computer if you don't have to shell out your own money for it. I wouldn't spend this kind of money on a notebook for myself though.
Recommended:
Yes
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