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CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 12/21/2005
- Updated on: 11/06/2009
With the midsize Tecra S3, Toshiba takes aim at business users who want a laptop that's as durable and secure, if not more so, than a desktop PC. While far from hitting the bull's-eye, the Tecra S3 does hit the target with a strong case design, a built-in fingerprint scanner, and an integrated Trusted Platform Module. As good as it is, though, the Tecra S3 exhibited disappointing performance and battery life on our benchmarks. And at $1,519, it costs hundreds of dollars more than comparable models from Lenovo (ThinkPad) and Gateway.
The Toshiba Tecra S3's black-and-silver case has a demure look that belies its tough magnesium frame, shock-mounted components, and waterproof keyboard. It's not as rugged as the Itronix GoBook, but it should be able to stand up to everyday abuse. Its 6.2-pound weight (7.2 pounds with the AC adapter) will feel a bit heavy for frequent travelers. Measuring 13.1 inches wide, 11.1 inches deep, and 1.5 inches thick, the Tecra S3 is a bit larger than the ThinkPad R52 and the same size as the Gateway NX500X.
You can get the Tecra S3's 15-inch standard-aspect display configured with one of two native resolutions: the standard 1,024x768 or, for an extra $75, the finer 1,400x1,050; we find the standard resolution sufficient for typical office work. In addition to a spacious keyboard, the Tecra S3 has a textured pointing stick and an ample touch pad, each with its own set of mouse buttons. To the left of the keyboard are two buttons; one launches a window for system management, while the other lets you output presentations to a projector. Below the keyboard lies a fingerprint reader that lets you log on with the swipe of a finger. A wireless on/off switch and a volume wheel sit along the front edge of the machine; we wish there were also a mute button.
Business travelers won't miss any connections with the Tecra S3; it includes VGA, S-Video, four-pin FireWire, and three USB 2.0 ports, as well as headphone and microphone jacks. Its parallel and serial ports will come in handy for offices with older peripherals, and its slots for Type II PC Cards, ExpressCards, and Secure Digital flash cards provide room for expansion. Workers will also be able to stay in touch with the home office via Gigabit Ethernet, modem, Bluetooth, and Intel 802.11b/g connections; a triband a/b/g radio costs an extra $20. While our test unit included a nondescript CD-RW/DVD combo drive, the upgrade to a more versatile double-layer DVD burner costs just $80. Every Tecra S3 includes a Trusted Platform Module for hardware data encryption.
In keeping with its business focus, the Tecra S3 runs on Microsoft Windows XP Professional, and its software bundle includes the Microsoft Works 8 minisuite, Microsoft Office OneNote 2003 note-taking software, and a handful of applications for viewing and burning discs.
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