Toshiba Tecra M11 review
We review the Toshiba Tecra M11 to see what the machine can offer workers on the move.
A laptop that combines superb application performance from Intel's Core i7 range with consistently excellent build quality. It's decent elsewhere, too, with a fine screen and solid ergonomics. It's only overshadowed by rival machines, which manage to pack in discrete graphics chips and more versatility for similar amounts of cash.
At 38mm at its thickest point it's not the slimmest machine, but its build quality and 2.4kg weight mean that we'd have no hesitation tossing it into a bag.
The selection of ports and sockets is good, too. Three USB 2 ports sit beside an eSATA socket, card reader, physical wireless switch, two megapixel webcam, ExpressCard/34 slot and Mini DisplayPort output.
The ergonomics are more of a mixed bag. The keyboard is resolutely traditional, with a layout devoid of odd choices and no sign of Scrabble-tile keys. As befits the Tecra M11, there's no give in the base, and this makes for a solid and responsive typing action. Our only qualm is that the lightness of the keys results in an irritating clicking noise when typing.
The track pad is less impressive. The chrome-effect buttons - about the only sigh of extravagance on the machine - are stiff to press, and there's too much friction on the track pad to make it comfortable to use.
Luckily, Toshiba has borrowed from Lenovo's ThinkPad range and included a track point in the middle of the keyboard alongside a second pair of buttons, and both are easier to use: the track point is responsive and has a grippy, textured surface, and the buttons are far lighter.
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