Toshiba has a reputation for slipping the latest technology into the smallest, lightest, and best-looking notebook cases around. The new Toshiba PortÃÆ'Ã,©gÃÆ'Ã,© 3440CT ââ,¬" the first new portable to come along from Toshiba in some time ââ,¬" carries on that tradition.
The PortÃÆ'Ã,©gÃÆ'Ã,© 3440CT (AU$4,400 street, as tested) measures just 1.0 by 10.3 by 9.3 inches (HWD) with the included lithium ion battery attached to its back panel. With its magnesium, silver and gray case, the PortÃÆ'Ã,©gÃÆ'Ã,© 3440CT weighs 3.2 pounds. Even with the AC adapter, the system still weighs less than 4 pounds.
Despite its small frame, the PortÃÆ'Ã,©gÃÆ'Ã,© 3440CT has respectable specs. The system we tested includes a 500-MHz Pentium III processor, 64MB of SDRAM, a 6GB hard drive, and the S3 Savage IX graphics chip with 8MB of memory. The system has an 11.3-inch display (1,024-by-768 at 32-bit color) that uses a low-temperature polysilicon technology to squeeze more battery life out of a smaller package. On BatteryMark 3.0, the system scored just over 3 hours. To extend battery life even further, you can snap on an optional battery slice (US$460 street).
On other tests, the PortÃÆ'Ã,©gÃÆ'Ã,© 3440CT was average. Across the board, the unit performed below average compared with other PIII/500 notebooks that we tested. Keep in mind, however, that the desktop replacement and mainstream notebooks we tested included more memory and generally outperform mini-notebooks such as the PortÃÆ'Ã,©gÃÆ'Ã,© 3440CT.
Although the PortÃÆ'Ã,©gÃÆ'Ã,© has all the usual ports, an integrated 56K modem, and two Type II slots, you'll have to opt for an external CD or DVD drive. The unit includes a LAN Port Replicator with a 10/100 Ethernet card and other ports. The system we tested included an optional Multimedia Port Replicator (US$400 street). To this you can add a DVD drive (US$380 street) or a CD drive (US$180 street).
The PortÃÆ'Ã,©gÃÆ'Ã,© 3440CT ships with Microsoft Windows 95, 98 or SE and is backed by a one-year warranty.
Even today, there are clear trade-offs in performance and functionality in a mini-notebook computer. Nevertheless, if your work really demands an ultraportable system, the Toshiba PortÃÆ'Ã,©gÃÆ'Ã,© 3440CT is an excellent choice.
Product:Ã,Ã, Toshiba PortÃÆ'Ã,©gÃÆ'Ã,© 3440CT
Rating:Ã,Ã, 4 Star
Price:Ã,Ã, AU$4,400
Features:Ã,Ã, 500-MHz Pentium III processor, 64MB RAM, 6GB hard drive, 11.3-inch TFT display, and LAN Port Replicator
Company:Ã,Ã, Toshibawww.toshiba.com.au
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