Toshiba Gets in on Centrino 2 with Two Tecra Notebooks

While not as comprehensive as other notebook manufacturers, Toshiba also announced two new Centrino 2-based systems today, the Tecra M10 and the Tecra A10. Both will feature EasyGuard technology, which includes a spill-resistant keyboard, TPM, a SmartCard reader, and a fingerprint reader. Although both notebooks will be based on the same motherboard design, and have a 2.26-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor. However, the Tecra A10 will be the more configurable (including different CPUs and hard drive options) and be the larger of the two models, with a 15.4-inch screen as compared to the M10′s 14.1-inch screen. More specs after the break. Both systems will also have the same amount of preloaded software, including Adobe Acrobat Reader, Intervideo WinDVD, Google Desktop, Google Toolbar, and Picasa. Also included is the 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Professional 2007 and Norton Internet Security 2008. Unfortunately Toshiba, still smarting from losing the high-def format war, has yet to start offering Blu-Ray drives in its notebooks. Tecra M10 As we noted, the Tecra M10-S1001 will be the smaller of the two notebooks. Featuring a 14.1-inch, 1440 x 900-pixel resolution display, the unit will measure 13.3 x 9.6 x 1.5 inches, with a starting weight of 5.4 pounds, placing it square in the thin-and-light category. It will also feature the following:

• Operating System: Windows Vista Business (downgrade to XP included in the box)
• CPU: 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T8400,
• RAM/Expandable to: 2GB/4GB
• Hard Drive Size/Speed: 160GB/5,400 rpm
• Optical Drive: 8X DVD SuperMulti +/- RW
• Display/Resolution: 14.1 inches/1440 x 900
• Graphics/Video Memory: Nvidia Quadro NVS 150M/256MB
• Wireless: Intel WiFi Link 5100 (802.11a/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• Ports: Four USB 2.0, DVI, VGA, FireWire, Ethernet, modem, headphone, mic
• Card slots: PC Type II, 5-in-1 memory card reader

The price of the Tecra M10 will be $1,399. Tecra A10 The Tecra A10 comes with a few more options (listed below). Its dimensions will be 14.2 x 10.4 x 1.5 inches, and its starting weight will be 6.2 pounds.

• Operating System: Windows Vista Business (downgrade to XP included in the box)
• CPU: 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T8400; 2.4 GHz P8600; 2.53 GHz T9400
• RAM/Expandable to: 1GB/4GB
• Hard Drive Size/Speed: 120GB, 160GB, 250GB/5,400 rpm; 160GB, 200GB/7.200 rpm; 64GB, 128GB SSD
• Optical Drive: 8X DVD SuperMulti +/- RW
• Display/Resolution: 15.4 inches/1280 x 800 or 1680 x 1050
• Graphics/Video Memory: Nvidia Quadro NVS 150M/256MB
• Wireless: Intel WiFi Link 5100 (802.11a/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• Ports: Four USB 2.0, DVI, VGA, FireWire, Ethernet, modem, headphone, mic
• Card slots: PC Type II, 6-in-1 memory card reader

The Tecra pricing is yet to be determined.