The latest notebook to jump on the wireless-LAN bandwagon, Toshiba's Tecra 8200 outfits a midsize corporate notebook with a built-in antenna and miniPCI network card, preloaded custom-configuration software -- and several cool marketing ploys. But at AU$8,470, this Tecra definitely stretches the IT budget.
The IEEE 802.11b wireless networking standard -- which allows users to remain connected to the company LAN even as they roam untethered around the office -- has quietly become a de riguer option on corporate systems from first- and even second-tier vendors. Basically centreing the whole Tecra 8200 marketing strategy around wireless connectivity (including optional Bluetooth compatibility which is the standard for Australia).
With all this lending out of new systems, it's no wonder Toshiba partnered with Toyota to design the Tecra's metallic-finished, hard-plastic lid to withstand scratching. The three-tone lid also features a built-in antenna that Toshiba claims to provide better omnidirectional reception than the standard side-mounted models featured on competing systems. Toshiba complements this specialised hardware with its proprietary wireless client-management utility, which saves up to four network profiles and auto-senses changes in network environment, allowing a user to move seamlessly from one access point to another.
Beyond its fancy-schmancy connectivity features, the Tecra's pretty meat and potatoes. It's a bit thinner and lighter than many competitive machines and features high-end components -- such as an 850-MHz Pentium III CPU, 20GB hard drive, 14.1-inch TFT screen, and 16MB graphics subsystem -- under the hood. Despite its configuration, though, performance on most of our benchmark tests failed to impress, with almost all of the system's scores lagging those of other machines we've tested in this processor range. At less than 3 hours, its battery life particularly disappointed, mainly because the Tecra uses a small 3,600-mAh lithium-ion battery. Graphics performance was closer to average, though, and DVD playback looked absolutely beautiful.
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