Toshiba offers tougher laptops

Toshiba will in March introduce a new laptop designed to be more durable, but without the high price associated with other ruggedised portables. The firm is also introducing technology to make its laptops more secure, and make wireless networking easier for non-expert users.

Toshiba's Portégé M300 ultraportable, set to ship in the first week of March, will debut the company's new EasyGuard technology, which has been developed to help laptops cope with everyday use. EasyGuard is a combination of hardware and software features, and will protect systems and improve the user experience, Toshiba said.

"There are three parts: secure, protect, and connect," said Toshiba's product manager for portables, Kenneth Chan. The protection part refers to design features such as a 'floating' LCD panel that is not rigidly secured to the lid with screws, but cushioned by a shock-protection system. The hard disk is similarly cushioned, and an acceleration sensor parks the disk heads if it detects a fall. IBM's ThinkPad range has similar technology, "but only ours has a 3D sensor, and a software tool to let users adjust the sensitivity", said Chan.

The M300 is built with magnesium alloy for strength throughout, and has toughened corners, which Chan likened to crumple zones on a car. Toshiba guarantees that the laptop will work after a 72cm fall. "You might crack the casing, but you will still be able to work on it. This is unique at the price we're offering," Chan added.

Other features include the ability for an IT manager to completely lock any of the laptop ports in software, helping to secure data by stopping staff from using unauthorised plug-in storage devices. Toshiba ConfigFree software improves wireless connectivity by scanning for 802.11b/g and Bluetooth signals, and by offering a drag-and-drop facility to make a connection.

The Toshiba Portégé M300 is based on a 1.2GHz ultra-low-voltage Pentium M processor. The laptop boasts a 12.1in screen and up to 1GB RAM. The device should also have a battery life of up to six hours. Prices start from £999 + VAT.

The ConfigFree software, but not the other EasyGuard features, will also ship in Toshiba's thin-and-light Tecra M3 and in the Tecra A4 models with a 15.4in widescreen.

See also:

Toshiba revives Libretto mini-laptop

Compact notebook brought out of retirement following customer demand  21 Apr 2005

Tablet PC gets smarter

The Portégé M200 updates Toshiba's Tablet PC range with Centrino mobile technology  12 Jan 2004

Toshiba ships £499 laptop

New Satellite Pro models duck under the £500 barrier - not including VAT  21 Jul 2003

Toshiba lightweight in trim

Toshiba says latest Portege is world's slimmest notebook  28 Jan 2002

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