Toshiba Tecra M7-144 - Review

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Convertible Tablet PC

The Toshiba Tecra M7 is a convertible Tablet PC which has the added functionality of a dedicated keyboard and a screen which can be turned 180 degrees and folded down onto the keyboard, allowing it to be used as a standard notebook or as a digital notepad, depending on the requirements of the user. The stylus, hidden away beside the DVD-burner, can be removed by simply pressing It, upon which it is released from its holder and can then be used as either an alternative to a mouse or as a pen to write with on your screen. To use the stylus you must have Windows XP Tablet PC Edition installed. Every version of Windows Vista, except for the Home Basic edition supports the use of a Stylus. Another advantage of the latest version of Windows is that it offers support for Handwriting Recognition for a larger variety of languages. Unfortunately we were not able to complete our tests with Windows Vista as the drivers supplied in the Beta 2 version as well as the drivers on nVidia's website refused to work.

The downside of the Tecra M7 is that in order to operate Windows you must use the stylus as you cannot touch the screen with your fingers or any other pointing device. Using a Tablet PC in conjunction with Microsoft OneNote (akin to a digital card-tray) is ideal for people who, either always misplace their notepads or wish to add some extra information to a text by means of a diagram.
Tablet PC's are definitely worth consideration, and the Toshiba Tecra M7 is certainly a good option. Not only due to its functionality as described above, but also because even the most power hungry users will appreciate its system specifications. Before we take a look at the Hardware we would like to note that there is one other disadvantage to the Tecra, and that is the weight. At 2,15 kilograms it is quite heavy for a Tablet PC and too heavy to use whilst holding it in your hands thus removing some of the functionality that defines a Tablet PC.