Toshiba Tecra A5 02E00Z Review

See the big business picture with the Tecra A5. This affordable notebook features a 14.0 diagonal wide-screen display designed to provide 25% more viewable information --- enhancing side-by-side document or open-book viewing for improved productivity. Plus, the Tecra A5 offers Toshiba EasyGuard software utilities for increased mobile security, network connectivity and overall ease of use.

Specifications

Processor
Type : Intel® Centrino Pentium M processor 750, Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200BG network connection and Intel® 915PM Express chipset
Clock speed : 1.86GHz
Front Side Bus : 533 MHz
2nd level cache : 2 MB

Operating system
Windows® XP Professional

System memory
Standard : 512 MB
Maximum expandability : 2048 MB
Technology : DDR RAM

Hard disk
Capacity : 80 GB
Certification: S.M.A.R.T

DVD Super Multi drive (Double Layer)
Compatibility : CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R,DVD+R(DL), DVD+RW, DVD-RAM
Maximum speed : Read: 24x CD-ROM, 8x DVD-ROM/ Write: 24x CD-R, 4x CD-RW, 10x HS CD-RW, 10x US CD-RW, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+R, 2.4x DVD+R (Double Layer), 4x DVD+RW, 5x DVD-RAM


Display
Size : 14.0 "
Type : WXGA TFT display

Graphics Adaptor
Manufacturer : ATI
Type : MOBILITY™RADEON® X600SE 256 MB HyperMemory™
Memory : 128 + up to 128 MB
Memory type : DDR Video RAM + DDR RAM (System Memory)
Connected bus : 16x PCI Express
Internal video modes
Resolution : 1,280 x 768
Maximum number of colours : 16.7 million

Max External Video Modes
Max Resolution : 2,048 x 1,536
Max Colours : 16.7 Million
Max Refresh Rate : 100 Hz
Non-interlaced resolution with max refresh rate : 1,600 x 1,200

BIOS
ACPI : Yes
System Management BIOS : 2.34

Battery
Tchnology : lithium-ion
Maximum life : up to 2:28 hours (MobileMark) hours

AC adaptor
Input voltage : autosensing AC adapter (100/240 V) for worldwide usage

Interfaces
1 x headphone
1 x DC-in
1 x external monitor
1 x RJ-11
1 x RJ-45
1 x TV-out (s-video)
1 x i.LINK® (IEEE 1394)
4 x USB 2.0
1 x 5-in-1 Bridge Media slot (supports SD™ Card, Memory Stick®, Memory Stick Pro™, MultiMedia Card™, xD-Picture Card™)

Expansion
2 x memory slots (1 to configure)
1 x connects to Advanced Port Replicator III (optional)
Type : PC Card slot for 1x Type II card

Wireless communication
Compliancy : Wi-Fi®
Network Support : 802.11b/g integrated
Wireless Technology : Wireless LAN (802.11b/g dual-mode integrated network support)

Wired communication
Topology : international V.90 modem, V.92 ready
Speed : 56 Kbps data (V.90) and 14.4 Kbps fax
Topology : Ethernet LAN
Speed : 10/100/1000 Base-TX

Sound system
Supported audio format : 16-bit stereo
Supported sound standards : MIDI support
Speakers : built-in stereo speakers

Keyboard
Keys : 86
Windows keys : 2
Hot Keys : 2

Physical dimensions
W x D x H : 343 x 242 x 29 (front) / 38 (back) mm
Weight: 2.26Kgs

Pointing device
Type : Touch Pad
Interface : PS/2

Warranty
1-year international warranty. Upgrade your standard warranty with Toshiba warranty extension, uplift and all-risks insurance packs.

Bundled hardware
AC adaptor

Bundled software
Toshiba utilities and drivers
on-line user's manual
Toshiba Management Console
ConfigFree™
Connectivity Doctor
Microsoft® Office OneNote ™ 2003
Sonic¿ Record Now!
InterVideo® WinDVD Creator (2Platinum)
Norton Internet Security™ 2005 (90-Day Free Trial Version)

Toshiba EasyGuard
Execute Disable Bit Protection (XD-Bit)
Password Utility
Easy Fix Components
Durable Design
Kensington Lock
Diversity Antenna
Toshiba Summit
Toshiba ConfigFree™
PC Diagnostics
Data Backup

Special features
SM BIOS compliant
Common docking and options with other Toshiba notebooks
Toshiba Presentation Button
Toshiba Enhanced Speedstep
Toshiba Assist button

Review

The good: Light case; four USB 2.0 ports.
The bad: Very loud keyboard; petite mouse buttons.
The bottom line: The Tecra A5 offers sufficient performance and a decent array of features for most business users, but you can find less expensive options

Source:
http://reviews.cnet.com