Toshiba Tecra M11 review

As usual, Toshiba offers a range of accessories for use with the Tecra M11, but they don't come cheap. Port replicators run from 80 exc VAT to 145 exc VAT, and a replacement battery will set you back 93 exc VAT. The warranty, which stretches to three years by default, can also be augmented with a variety of collect and repair options.

This model's base price of 784 exc VAT, though, could prove its undoing. There's plenty of competition at this level, and other machines make more convincing cases: the 746 exc VAT HP Probook 6540b boasts a larger screen and a wider selection of ports, and the 765 exc VAT Acer TimelineX 5820T is lighter but still packs in an ATI Radeon HD 5650 graphics chip. Both machines include Intel Core i5 processors, too, which aren't far behind the Core i7 used in the Tecra M11 in performance terms.

There's plenty of competition, then, but there's also plenty of reasons to like the Tecra M11. Its fantastic build quality and superb application performance coupled with decent design elsewhere mean that, if you take the plunge, you won't be disappointed.

Verdict

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.

Processor: 2.66GHz Intel Core i7-620Q Memory: 4GB DDR3 RAM Graphics: Intel GMA 4500MHD Optical drive: DVD writer Hard disk: 320GB hard disk Display: 14in 1,366 x 768 TFT Features: Speakers, 2mp webcam, Kensington lock, TPM 2.1 module, fingerprint reader Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11bgn wireless Ports: 3 x USB, eSATA, Mini DisplayPort, Ethernet, 2 x audio, Docking port, 3-in-1 card reader Dimensions: 349 x 242 x 38mm (WxDxH) Weight: 2.4kg Warranty: 3yr C&R OS: Windows 7 Professional 32-bit Software: Microsoft Touch Pack, Nero Essentials, Norton Internet Security 90-day trial, Microsoft Office 2007 60-day trial