Toshiba Portege M405-S8003 Review

Toshiba M405-S8003 Portege Notebook Computer is a powerful portable computer that also makes a great desktop replacement. Toshiba Portege M405-S8003 easily converts from a compact, lightweight notebook into a highly capable and versatile Tablet PC. The Toshiba Portege M405-S8003’s 12-inch screen can be twisted 180 degrees and folded flat against the keyboard for full tablet mode, enabling you to take notes and write emails without using your keyboard and browse the Web with a digital-ink-enabled pen. On-demand productivity features include an integrated swappable dual-layer DVD optical drive and one-click docking. The shock protection system provides this notebook with a higher impact protection (via advanced rubber padding) around key hardware components. It also features Toshiba’s EasyGuard security feature, which requires BIOS passwords in addition to user passwords to boot up the system.Toshiba Portege M405-S8003 is powered by Intel’s new, groundbreaking processor–the powerful Core Duo T2400–which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance and a more efficient power consumption. The dual execution core T2400 has a 1.83 GHz processor speed and 2 MB L2 cache. Other hardware features include a 100 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed DDR2 RAM, up to a 5-hour battery life, multi-format memory card reader, and Microsoft Windows XP Tablet Edition 2005 operating system.

Toshiba Portege M405-S8003 Basics

• Hard Drive: A welcome size for road warriors, the 100 GB hard drive is definitely above average in size for notebook PCs–great for storing a digital medial library or graphics-intensive presentations–and faster than average at 5400 RPM. This Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data–akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
• Processor: The intel Core Duo T2400 processor is built with the Mobile Intel 945PM Express chipset, and it has a 1.83 GHz processor speed, super-fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and large 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system’s performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.) The Intel Core Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It’s optimized for multitasking and is ready to support the next version of Microsoft Windows, code-named Vista. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications–such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications–while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. It’s more efficient, thanks to Intel’s Power Coordination and Deeper Sleep, which help to transfer power only to those areas of the processor that need it. It also features Intel’s Digital Media Boost, which delivers enhanced performance on floating point-intensive applications such as CAD tools, 3D and 2D modeling, video editing, digital music, digital photography and gaming.
• Memory: The 1 GB of built-in memory (PC4200, DDR2 SDRAM, 2 x 512 MB) is a very good start for power users, and it offers a top-of-class 533 MHz speed. It has two memory slots, enabling you to add a maximum of 4 GB to handle immersive 3D video games, video editing, graphics-intensive presentations, and multiple open business productivity applications.
• CD/DVD Drive: The ultra-slim, swappable double-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data–great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x DVD+R DL, 2x DVD-R DL, 4x for both DVD+R/RW, 8x DVD-R, 2x DVD-RW, 5x DVD-RAM, and 24x/10x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This Tablet PC has a Toshiba Digitizer pen, an 85-key keyboard with 13 function keys, and a two-button touchpad.

Screen, Graphics and Sound
The Toshiba Portege M405-S8003 has a 12-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. The convertible display instantly switches into “slate” mode so you can stay productive at your desk, on your feet, in a meeting, or wherever your business takes you. Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, which uses Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) and provides up to 128 MB of shared video memory. It also features an integrated audio card with headphone and microphone jacks. Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The Toshiba Portege M405-S8003 has an integrated tri-mode Intel PRO/Wireless LAN that’s compatible with 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g networks. You get a good offering of connectivity options, including both USB 2.0 and FireWire:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals–from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, 32-bit)
• 5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, Multi Media card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, XD Picture Card, and SmartMedia)
• 1 headphone jack
• 1 external microphone jack

Toshiba Portege M405-S8003 also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Gigabit Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems). Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 operating system with Service Pack 2 featuring Advanced Security Technologies, which helps to reduce unwanted downloads and pop-ups while surfing the Web. It also comes with the following preloaded software: Microsoft Office OneNote 2003, Microsoft Works, Zinio Reader, McAfee AntiVirus, Quicken New User Edition 2004, Intervideo WinDVD, Sonic Solutions RecordNow.

Dimensions and Weight
Toshiba Portege M405-S8003 Tablet PC measures 11.6 x 9.8 x 1.53 inches and weighs 4.5 pounds.

Power
Toshiba Portege M405-S8003 is powered by a 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery (4700 mAh), which has a battery life of up to 5 hours (depending on usage). It has a recharge time of 3 to 3.5 hours.

Toshiba Portege M405-S8003 Features

• Tablet PC with 12-inch screen; 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo T2400 with 2 MB L2 cache
• 100 GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM (2 GB max), dual-layer/multi-format DVD burner
• Three USB 2.0, one FireWire, one VGA, one S-Video, one PCMCIA, multi-format memory card reader
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (128 MB of shared RAM); tri-mode 802.11a/b/g wireless connectivity
• Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005

Toshiba Portege M405-S8003 Specifications

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