Toshiba launches Tecra M5 notebook

Toshiba today launched the Tecra M5 notebook series, which are aimed at business users by addressing the growing needs of the mobile workforce through an optimal balance of performance, reliability, security and longevity.

The Tecra M5 is a thin, light notebook that features Toshiba's EasyGuard technology and it utilizes shock-absorbing materials to help safeguard critical components like the HDD and the LCD display.

The Toshiba Hard Disk Drive Protection System helps safeguard the notebook's hard drive against possible damage resulting from accidental dropping, turbulence, impact or vibration. Through the integration of a 3D accelerometer, the Toshiba HDD Protection System detects when the Tecra M5 experiences unsafe, sudden "acceleration" in any direction. Once danger is detected, the hard drive immediately places itself into a protected mode and parks the hard drive head until the system determines it is safe to resume normal operation.

Another great feature of the Tecra M5 laptop is its enhanced spill resistant keyboard that affords users time to save work and shut down the system. If an accident should occur, this feature will help prevent the loss of data.

Toshiba Tecra M5-S433 Recommended Configuration (ESUP $1799)

Processor: Intel Core Duo Processor T2400 (1.83GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Display: 14.1-inch diagonal XGA (1024x768 native resolution)

System Chipset: Mobile Intel 945PM Express Chipset

Graphics Controller: NVIDIA Quadro NVS 110M with 128MB DDR discrete graphics memory plus up to 128MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory using NVIDIA TurboCache technology

Memory: 512 MB DDR2 667MHz SDRAM (max 4GB)

Hard Drive: 100GB HDD(11) (5400rpm, Serial-ATA)

Optical Drive: Slim SelectBay DVD SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) drive

Communications: Intel PRO/Wireless Network Connection 3945ABG (802.11a/b/g), Intel 10 Base-T/100 Base-TX/1000 Base-T Ethernet, Toshiba V.92 modem. Optional Bluetooth v.2.0+EDR technology

Ports: ExpressCard slot, PC Card slot, SecureDigit slot (supports SDIO) Video: RGB monitor port, S-Video port Audio: microphone jack, headphone jack Data: i.LINK IEEE-1394, 3-USB (v.2.0), RJ-45 LAN, RJ-11 modem, Serial, 240-pin docking port

Battery: 6-cell lithium ion battery (4700mAh)

Dimensions: 12.4-inch x 10.3-inch x 1.23/1.35-inch (f/r)

Weight: Starting at 5.2 lbs.

Warranty: Standard three-year limited warranty

The notebook features a battery life of up to four hours and is now available with prices starting at $1,699.