Toshiba has always been known as one of the most innovative laptop makers. Where many manufacturers will sacrifice power for battery life, function for form, or just load up all the best features in a ten pound package, Toshiba is one of the laptop makers making strides in the direction of letting users have their cake and eat it too.
All of Toshiba’s recent laptops have been pretty impressive in this regard, combining power and compatibility with long battery life and a slim size, the Portege and Tecra series offer ultraportability for machines just as capable as any home computer.
Now, the Portege R600 is really the flagship model for Toshiba. It’s a great system, but it also costs a lot. The Tecra series is as capable as most users need, and only costs anywhere 50-70% as much.
One of the newest models in the Tecra line, the R10, is no exception, and the user reviews show it. On average, the Tecra R10 usually rates at least a four out of five in most user reviews.
The Unit
The screen size is one of the first things you’ll notice about the R10. Anyone looking for an ultraportable laptop is usually resigned to the fact that they’re going to have to sacrifice screen size for portability. Not the case with the R10. The widescreen display has a nice 14.1 inch diagonal size (between you and me, that’s an inch or two better than the PC monitor I’m working on right now). The widescreen design makes it perfect for three things: Video and graphics editing, gaming, and multi-tasking. You don’t have to keep minimizing dozens of windows just to be able to see what you’re doing.
Intel: The machine comes with Intel Centrino 2 with VPro Technology. This is great for two reasons: Power and battery life. Usually, you pick one or the other. The Intel Core 2 Duo Processor 3P9300 gives the same kind of performance you can get on a much more expensive laptop, without being an energy hog.
The basic model comes with a 160GB HDD (spinning at 7200 RPM), and 3GB PC2-6400 DDR2 800MHz SDRAM.
For connectivity, the unit has integrated Intel WiFi Link 5100AGN (802.11 a/g/n), and Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), so you can get online wherever there’s a hotspot.
In terms of graphics, the unit is entirely capable of running the newest games, thanks to a 128MB NVIDIA Quadro NVS 150M Discrete Graphics Card. The unit also comes with a fingerprint reader for security, a built in webcam and microphone, and stereo sound.
In terms of compatibility, the unit includes a CD/CD-R and DVD/DVD-R drive, and a high-speed eSATA port (about five times faster than the more common USB 2.0).
The unit comes equipped with Windows Vista Business with downgrade media for Windows XP Professional, so, short of installing a few of your favourite graphics and video programs and so on, the system comes pretty much ready to roll for most users.
Bottom Line
The Toshiba Tecra R10 comes about halfway between the lower end Tecra models, and the Portege in terms of both performance and price.
If you absolutely have to have the very best unit on the market, Toshiba’s Portege R600, with its SDD drive (no moving parts, which means better durability and higher speed) is hard to beat. However, as with the A10 and M10 Tecras, ninety percent of users won’t be able to tell the difference between the Tecras and the Portege, at least in terms of performance.
The Tecra R10 can produce professional grade graphics, video and sound as well as many non-portable home setups costing several times as much. The unit can play new games as well as many of Alienware’s three to five thousand dollar laptops, and the high speed WiFi is about as good as you’ll find in any laptop.
If you want higher performance than the lower end Tecras, but you don’t want to fork over two grand for a Portege, the R10 is a nice compromise, giving you top class performance at a lower price.
You can usually find the R10 in the $1500 price range, but you can save some cash on the asking price, because the unit is offered through Toshiba’s recycle/trade-in program. If you’ve been keeping up, you know what that is, if not, it works like this: Toshiba is currently trying to get their new laptops out there by making them more available through trade-in deals. So, where most laptop manufacturers might only offer a new model for an old model, Toshiba is accepting all laptops, regardless of manufacturer, and several other electronics, again, regardless of manufacturer, and regardless of trade in value. If you’ve got some antiquated laptops and other devices laying around, you might want to check that out and see if you can get a good deal on a new unit.
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superb review; concise and focused.
Thanks for sharing.This Toshiba Tecra R10 is rather a good laptop for business! I have the same experience as what you said .
I am not satisfied with the battery life! and I am looking forward to buying the Toshiba Tecra R10 backup battery. Seaching
google, i found this webpage:http://www.hunt360.net/toshiba-tecra-r10-battery.htm
It is said to be One year warranty and 30 days money back! Shipping all over the world.
4400mAH USD79.99
Anyone gives me some suggestion?
Thanks a lot