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Toshiba Jumps on Sonoma bandwagon with new M45 and Tecra A3

Posted by Matthew Brodsky

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Intel has caused a stir with the unveiling of its latest Centrino Mobile Technology, the so-called Sonoma chipset. Several PC makers, such as Dell and IBM, have jumped at the chance to package the Sonoma technology in new models. Now Toshiba joins the fray, introducing its Tecra A3 and Satellite M45 laptops in January 2005.

Saturday,February 05, 2005

Intel has caused a stir with the unveiling of its latest CentrinoMobile Technology, the so-called Sonoma chipset. Several PCmakers, such as Dell and IBM, have jumped at the chance to package the Sonoma technology in new notebook models. Now Toshiba joins the fray, introducing its Tecra A3 and Satellite M45laptops in January 2005.

It's easy to get drawn into the Sonoma hoopla. An Intel PentiumM processor with 533 MHz front-side bus, DDR2 memory, a MobileIntel 915 Express Chipset, and integrated Media Accelerator 900graphics - the Sonoma is like an aged California cabernet forthose of us with digital proclivities. For the typical home orbusiness user, the new Intel technology is just as intoxicating.The chip package can power a laptop to dizzying new heights inwireless connectivity, mobile security, and audio and visualperformance.

Out of the new Toshibas that offer these capabilities, the TecraA3 notebook is the more affordable of the two, with an estimatedbase price of US$1,099. For the investment, you get an array ofstandard hardware, beginning with the eyes and ears of Intelmobile technology, the Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 BG NetworkConnection card, a 802.11(b)b/g wireless LAN. The hard drivepacks 40GB, the memory 256MB, which can be expanded to 2GB.

The Tecra A3 features a unique one-touch undocking feature,which simplifies desk-to-mobile working. Its standard opticaldisc drive is an integrated CD-RW/DVD-ROM. Enjoy your latestmovies and games on the Toshiba's 15-inch XGA display. Another ofthe computer's major multimedia features is ConfigFree, a utilityfor managing your wireless world, along with the three USB portsand 10/100 Ethernet.

With a base price of US$1499 to US$1729, the Toshiba SatelliteM45 notebook packs your briefcase with all of the above Sonomatechnology, along with a more advanced array of features andmore powerful hardware. Case in point: the M45 offers an 80GBhard drive in the M45-S331 model or a 100GB hard drive in theM45-S351 model. The more powerful version zips along with a 1.73GHz Intel Pentium processor, compared to the 1.60 GHz in theM45-5331 and the Tecra A3.

The M45's multimedia components are more extensive, as well. Notonly does its IEEE 1394 Firewire port facilitate data transfer,but this Toshiba alsosimplifies digital data movement, such as from a camera or MP3player, with its bridge media adapter, which is compatible withSecureDigital, Multimedia, MartMedia, MemoryStick, and othermemory cards. Then there's the DVD-SuperMulti drive for readingand writing on most CD and DVD formats.

To fully appreciate a DVD and all of your digital video files,you have the M45's 15.4-inch wide-screen display and its 1280x800TruBrite resolution. To feel your audio files, turn up theHarmon/Kardon speakers with SRS virtual surround soundcapability.

When compared to the M45, the Tecra A3 may seem lacking. Eventhe M45 may seem wanting when compared to other notebooks (e.g.,where's the built-in Bluetooth?). What the new Sonoma-basedToshibas may have on their competition, though, could be theirunique service and warranty options. For both the M45 and theTecra A3, you can choose from the standard one-year warranty,extended warranties with at-home support, carry-in support atlocal authorized service providers, mail-in support at a UPSshipping store, or, finally, Ask Iris Online, an instantconnection between you and Toshiba engineers and technical support personnel.

With such service to support all of the above features, one ofthese new Toshibas should match your computing needs, whetheryou're a co-ed, a university professor, a homemaker, or abusinessperson.

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