With all the talk
about UMPCs, it's good to see that manufacturers haven't abandoned good, old-fashioned, full-featured tablet PCs. And Toshiba's Portege M400,
first unveiled at CES, looks to be one of the first of a new generation of tablets packing a 1.83GHz Core Duo processor, optional internal DVD burner and hard drive capacity up to 80GB, at a street price starting at about $1,700 (or about what a Samsung Q1 is probably going to cost once you add
all the accessories needed to provide equivalent functionality). PC Magazine took a good look at the new tablet (using an early 1.67GHz Core Solo model), and found that it ran smoothly -- and coolly -- enough to handle office applications, DVD viewing and apps like Photoshop. The 1024 x 768 display was sharp, and the keyboard, while slightly smaller than full-size, was comfortable. The biggest downside: a sluggish response when switching the display from portrait to landscape. Then again, that's not something you're likely to need to do all that often, so if you're looking for a (relatively) affordable, solid tablet, this one (or the Core Duo version, due out shortly) could be worth a look.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sven @ Apr 11th 2006 11:05AM
Huh? What happened to the 1400*1050 display of the M200? I love that display! There's no way I'd go back to 1024... Seems like they also ditched the SD card reader and the GeForce chip with dedicated video RAM (in favor of Intel integrated/shared mem chip).
This is extrememly disappointing. Guess I'll need to wait some more for a solid replacement of my beloved but aging M200. Why does their engineering go backwards???
:(
Maxis24 @ Apr 11th 2006 11:05AM
I'm sorry Toshiba, but the tablet convertable that I've had for a while now is highly competitive with the specs above.
If you like this laptop, take a look at the Acer C312 or C314 laptops. I've found it extremely reliable and durable (aka: I dropped mine onto brick from table height and it only chipped some paint).
Eric @ Apr 11th 2006 11:33AM
Sven, don't fret, the 1400*1050 display is an option for the M400. The move to the Intel integrated video with shared memory was for battery life - in exchange for giving up 3D horse power, they gained an hour of battery life over the M200. In a tablet PC there is less need for 3D horse power and more need for battery life, so they made the right decision.
I have researched this machine pretty thoroughly and it is the best Tablet PC around. If you want a gaming laptop, get Alienware.
Tim @ Apr 11th 2006 11:56AM
Is it 1024x768 or 1024x728? I smell a typo.
Axel @ Apr 11th 2006 12:21PM
To critizize the slow response when switching from portrait to landscape is just ridiculous.
I would find the weight a lot more disturbing! The device is nearly 5 lbs!
The T41 tablet weights a lot less, has the same resolution display (although a higher one might be an option on the toshiba) and is built like a tank.
I would _always_ prefer the thinkpad!
Axel @ Apr 11th 2006 12:21PM
To critizize the slow response when switching from portrait to landscape is just ridiculous.
I would find the weight a lot more disturbing! The device is nearly 5 lbs!
The T41 tablet weights a lot less, has the same resolution display (although a higher one might be an option on the toshiba) and is built like a tank.
I would _always_ prefer the thinkpad!
boe @ Apr 11th 2006 12:32PM
I think Toshiba needs to get their engineers away from the doughnuts and back to work. I used to use Toshibas as a standard for the companies I worked for but their lack of innovation has left me dumbfounded. I asked a rep at CES when they were going to start releasing some 13-14" 4lb units with more horsepower and they said their customers weren't demanding anything like that. Yes - I know my clients ask me - hey can we have some heavier and slower laptops please!
The Sony SZ90/180/1 P/C and the Asus W7J(V) is really what Toshiba should have been working on. The Samsung X1 has a great design but not a fast enough processor but that would have been an excellent design from Toshiba if they made something like it with more horsepower.
Just my opinion of course.
yournamehere @ Apr 11th 2006 1:04PM
Bold move. They didn't even paste a fake screenshot on there.
Kyle Von Haden @ Apr 11th 2006 1:28PM
Core Duo version out shortly? Huh? I ordered one in February and received it mid-March. Love it! It indeed allowed me to order the hi-res screen. Switching between portrait and landscape on my Duo version is very snappy, no problems there.
mb @ Apr 11th 2006 5:22PM
Core Solo huh. So it's an... umm... regular 'ol processor...?
Falk @ Apr 11th 2006 9:25PM
Yah, my M400... due out "shortly" as in a month ago... Dual Core Proc, 1400x1050 resolution, and everything else your pretty little heart desires... EXCEPT an independent video card. Good 'ole integrated Intel graphics 4TL.
fusion @ Apr 28th 2006 10:33AM
How long is the battery life on this with standard battery..? With extended?