Toshiba has unveiled two new Tecra notebooks – the A6 and the A7 – both of which are targeted to the small to medium business and public sector uses. Both the A6 and the A7 feature the Intel Centrino Mobile Technology platform and Toshiba’s EasyGuard technology. EasyGuard technology is a suite of hardware and software enhancements designed to help boost mobile security, system integrity, network connectivity, and ease of use. Here are the products specs:

The Tecra A6 features:

• Intel Core Solo processor
• Windows XP Professional
• 14.1 inch widescreen display
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator
• 40-60GB HDD
• CD-ROM/DVD-ROM multifunction drive

 

The Tecra A7 features:

• Intel Core Solo or Intel Core Duo processors
• Windows XP Professional
• 15.4 inch widescreen display
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator
• 40-80GB HDD
• CD-ROM/DVD-ROM multifunction drive

[Tecra A6 page] 

[Tecra A7 page]

 

Toshiba Unveils Affordable, Business-Class Notebooks Featuring Value-Added EasyGuard(TM) Technology
IRVINE, Calif. –(Business Wire)– Feb. 7, 2006 Toshiba’s Digital Products Division, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today unveiled the Tecra(R) A6 and Tecra(R) A7 notebook computers.

Targeted at small-to-medium business and public sector users, the newest additions to the award-winning Tecra notebooks offer enhanced functionality, redesigned form factors and affordable pricing in addition to Toshiba’s innovative EasyGuard(TM) technology(1). Toshiba offers recommended configurations, but options such as processor, system memory size, hard drive capacity and display technology are customizable to best meet user needs.

Both the Tecra A6 and Tecra A7 feature the latest Intel(R) Centrino(R) Mobile Technology. The new Intel(R) mobile technology is designed to lower power consumption and component size while boosting overall performance from graphics to wireless capabilities while enhancing security.

In addition to the latest processing power, the Tecra A7 Series features a 15.4-inch diagonal widescreen display, Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950 or NVIDIA(R) Quadro(R) NVS graphics processor, high-speed Serial-ATA hard drives and either a CD-RW/DVD-ROM or DVD SuperMulti drive to provider users with advanced multimedia functionality.

For users requiring a more compact solution, the Tecra A6 Series weighs less than 5.5-pounds(2), houses a 14.1-inch diagonal widescreen display and comes with a six-cell battery delivering more than five and a half hours of the battery life(3).

Geared towards business professionals, both notebooks feature one-touch undock and go capabilities for on-the-go convenience through Toshiba’s optional Advance Port Replicator III+.

“These two notebooks are the perfect example of how Toshiba develops high-quality, next-generation mobile computing solutions for budget-minded professionals and organizations looking for products a cut above the rest,” said Jeff Barney, vice president marketing, Toshiba Digital Products Division. “Notebooks classified in the value segment typically don’t include value-added features such as Toshiba’s EasyGuard enhancements as part of the standard configuration. This commitment to quality and value is how Toshiba differentiates its products in the market today.”

To protect a user’s investment and prolong product life, both the Tecra A6 and Tecra A7 notebooks include Toshiba’s EasyGuard(TM) technology. This series of hardware and software enhancements to business-class notebooks help boost mobile security, system integrity, network connectivity and overall ease of use for Toshiba mobile professionals. EasyGuard technology consists of four elements: Protect & Fix, Secure, Connect and Optimize.

Protect & Fix

Utilizing a multi-level approach to data protection, Toshiba’s latest two Tecra A Series notebooks incorporate vibration-dampening materials to help safeguard the hard drive against shock and impact.

In addition, the Tecra A6 and Tecra A7 include the Toshiba Hard Disk Drive Protection System to guard the hard drive against possible damage resulting from accidental dropping, turbulence, impact or vibration. Through the integration of a 3D accelerometer, the Toshiba HDD Protection System detects when the notebook experiences unsafe, sudden “acceleration” in any direction. Once danger is detected, the hard drive immediately places itself into a protected mode and parks the hard drive head until the system determines it is safe to resume normal operation.

Another value-add is the inclusion of a spill resistant keyboard(4) that affords users time to save work and shut down the system. If an accident should occur, this feature will help prevent the loss of data.

Secure

These affordable, business-class notebooks employ a multi-pronged approach to security in order to help defend against unauthorized access, data theft and virtual attacks. The root of Toshiba’s security design is the Trusted Platform Module an embedded security chipset that stores encryption keys, passwords and user credentials to ensure that data cannot be accessed or seen by anyone but an authorized user.

Separating the two Tecra A Series notebooks from other budget-minded notebooks is an integrated biometric fingerprint reader with single sign-on functionality. This added security option allows the user to establish passwords for the BIOS, hard drive and operating system and associate them with one’s fingerprint. By assigning passwords to these critical components of the notebook unauthorized users must overcome three unique password challenges just to launch the system’s operating system. Large and small businesses will appreciate the ability to implement complex password schemes to maintain the integrity of secured data and applications. On an individual basis, users can benefit from the simplicity of password management for quick and easy access to the system and data.

Connect

Another differentiator of both the Tecra A6 and Tecra A7 is the adoption of proprietary technologies such as Toshiba’s ConfigFree(R) and the company’s patented Diversity Antenna. ConfigFree(R) is Toshiba’s intuitive graphic connectivity management utility created to simplify the connectivity experience when using wired and wireless Ethernet. Toshiba’s Diversity Antenna design delivers superior wireless signal reception through the integration of strategically placed dual-band Wi-Fi antennas in the notebook’s display.

Optimize

The fourth element, Optimize, is a series of proprietary software enhancements, enabling users to customize notebook settings for maximum system performance and battery life based on individual needs and preferences. Features include Toshiba Power Saver, to maximize battery life and breeze through a meeting fully connected; Toshiba’s Presentation button, a one-touch button to display the screen’s image onto an LCD projector or external monitor easily and instantaneously; and a wireless on/off switch enabling and disabling the integrated wireless LAN (Wi-Fi(R)).

Service and Support

Both notebooks are available with a standard one-year limited warranty. The standard limited warranty includes carry-in support at Authorized Service Providers throughout the country; or customers may utilize any of the more than 3,000 UPS Stores and Mail Boxes Etc. locations for packaging and delivery of the product to a centralized depot for prompt service turnaround. Customers can also choose to upgrade the notebook’s service plans, including up to four years of extended warranty coverage.

As part of the company’s standard support program, Toshiba offers Ask Iris(R) Online, an instant response information service that can alert users to security software patches or provide other information regarding their product from Toshiba engineers and technical support staff.

Availability

The company’s newest RoHS-compatible(5) notebooks are now available through Toshiba Direct, mail order and the company’s Reseller Partners with pricing starting at $1,149(6) for the Tecra A6 and a starting price point of $1,199(6) for the Tecra A7. -0-

Tecra A6-S513 Recommended Configuration (ESUP $1149)(5)

Processor:           Intel(R) Core(TM) Solo Processor T1300 (1.66GHz,
                     2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB,)(7)
Operating System:    Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional
Display:             14.1-inch diagonal widescreen TruBrite(TM) WXGA
                     (1280×800 native resolution)
System Chipset:      Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset
Graphics Controller: Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with up
                     to 128 MB dynamically allocated shared graphics
                     memory(8)
Memory:              512 MB DDR2 533MHz SDRAM (max 4096 MB)(8)
Hard Drive:          60GB HDD(10) (5400 rpm, Serial-ATA)
Optical Drive:       CD-RW/DVD-ROM
Communications:      Intel(R) Pro/Wireless 3945ABG (802.11a/b/g)(11),
                     Intel(R) PRO/1000 VE Network Connection –
                     10/100/1000 Base-TX Ethernet, Fast Infrared
                     (4Mbps) port, Toshiba V.92 software modem
Ports:               5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter
                     Video: RGB monitor port, S-Video port
                     Audio: microphone jack, headphone jack
                     Data: i.LINK(TM) IEEE-1394, 4-USB (v.2.0), 1-PC
                     Card slot, RJ-45 LAN port, RJ-11 modem port and
                     240-pin docking port
Battery:             6-cell Lithium Ion battery (4000mAh)
Dimensions:          13.5″ x 9.53″ x 1.50″
Weight:              Starting at 5.49 lbs.(2)
Warranty:            Standard one-year limited warranty(12)
Tecra A7 Recommended Configurations

                     Tecra A7-S612 (ESUP     Tecra A7-S712 (ESUP
                      $1249)(6)               $1399)(6)
Processor:           Intel(R) Core(TM) Solo  Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo
                     Processor T1300         Processor T2400
                     (1.66GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, (1.83GHz, 2MB L2 Cache,
                     667MHz FSB)(7)          667MHz FSB,)(7)
Operating System:    Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Microsoft(R) Windows(R)
                     XP Professional         XP Professional
Display:             15.4-inch diagonal      15.4-inch diagonal
                     widescreen              widescreen TruBrite(TM)
                     TruBrite(TM) WXGA       WXGA (1280×800 native
                     (1280×800 native        resolution)
                     resolution)
System Chipset:      Mobile Intel(R) 945GM   Mobile Intel(R) 945GM
                     Express Chipset         Express Chipset
Graphics Controller: Intel(R) Graphics Media Intel(R) Graphics Media
                     Accelerator 950 with    Accelerator 950 with
                     8MB-128 MB dynamically  8MB-128 MB dynamically
                     allocated shared        allocated shared
                     graphics memory(8)      graphics memory(8)
Memory:              512 MB DDR2 SDRAM (max  512 MB DDR2 SDRAM (max
                     4096 MB)(9)             4096 MB)(9)
Hard Drive:          80GB HDD(10) (5400 rpm, 80GB HDD(10) (5400 rpm,
                     Serial-ATA)             Serial-ATA)
Optical Drive:       CD-RW/DVD-ROM           DVD SuperMulti (+/- R
                                             double layer)
Communications:      Intel(R) PRO/Wireless   Intel(R) PRO/Wireless
                     3945ABG                 3945ABG
                     (802.11a/b/g)(11),      (802.11a/b/g)(11),
                     Fast Infrared (4Mbps)   Fast Infrared (4Mbps)
                     port, Intel(R)          port, Intel(R)
                     10/100/1000 Base-T      10/100/1000 Base-T
                     Ethernet, Toshiba V.92  Ethernet, Toshiba V.92
                     software modem          software modem
Ports:               5-in-1 Bridge Media     5-in-1 Bridge Media
                     Adapter,                Adapter, ExpressCard(TM)
                     ExpressCard(TM) slot,   slot, 1-PC Card slot
                     1-PC Card slot          Video: RGB monitor port,
                     Video: RGB monitor      S-Video port
                     port, S-Video port      Audio: microphone jack,
                     Audio: microphone jack, headphone jack
                     headphone jack          Data: i.LINK(TM) IEEE-
                     Data: i.LINK(TM) IEEE-  1394, 1 PC Card slot, 4
                     1394, 1 PC Card slot,   USB (v.2.0), RJ-45 LAN,
                     4 USB (v.2.0), RJ-45    RJ-11 modem, and 240-pin
                     LAN, RJ-11 modem, and   docking port
                     240-pin docking port
Battery:             6-cell Lithium Ion      6-cell Lithium Ion
                     battery (4000mAh)       battery (4000mAh)
Dimensions:          14.2-inch x 10.5-inch x 14.2-inch x 10.5-inch x
                     1.17/1.4-inch (f/r)     1.17/1.4-inch (f/r)
Weight:              Starting at 6.0 lbs.(2) Starting at 6.0 lbs.(2)
Warranty:            Standard one-year       Standard one-year limited
                     limited warranty(12)    warranty(12)

 

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