What Is It:
The Toshiba Portégé® R400 is convertible Tablet PC which has new design features which are especially useful for mobile professionals. It has been designed to take full advantage of the new features in Microsoft's Windows® Vista™ PC operating system.
Why Is It Different:
The Portégé® R400 will use Microsoft’s Active Notifications to enable the R400 to automatically synchronize e-mail and calendar events. This ensures that you will always have the most up-to-date information available. The R400 can be turned on or in suspend mode. With the addition of Toshiba’s ConfigFree®, users will be able to connect to the best network connection that is available to them to stay in sync.
The second feature is the Toshiba Edge Display - a secondary display located on the front edge of the R400. Inbox and calendar activity can be viewed here. The Edge Display is viewable even when in a laptop case.
Specs:
- Case has a black & white color scheme.
- High-gloss finish with ultraviolet, clear coat.
The R400 contains some great security features.
- Integrated biometric fingerprint reader.
- Multi-level password protection
- TPM 1.2 encryption module
Future models will incorporate wireless docking capabilities. It will use Ultra Wide Band (UWB) which will allow the R400 to automatically connect when within close proximity of the Toshiba Wireless Port Replicator.
Pricing & Availability:
Suggested list price of $2,999.00 (Canadian).
Available Janurary 30, 2007 through Toshiba resellers and direct from Toshiba.
Just My Thoughts:
It seems that laptops with external displays are not going to become part of the the design of future laptops. This is the second laptop to be designed with an external display for viewing calendar and e-mail.
The ability to easily check email and confirm appointments is a benefit but I don't see this completely replacing PDAs or Smartphones for the ease of checking those items.
Once the R400 is released, it will be interesting to learn how it's other specifications match up to current laptops and Tablet PCs currently available.