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New Toshiba laptops recognize your face

By Darius Chang
Apr 14, 2008

Toshiba's latest laptops are both a surprise inside and out. Besides the expected exterior makeover, we were quite surprised that the five new notebooks come with rather unique features. The lineup includes the business-oriented Portege M800, while the Satellite M300 and A300 cover the consumer entertainment market. Bargain hunters won't be disappointed, either, as the affordable Satellite L310 and L300 didn't skimp on features despite their affordability.

First encountered on the Lenovo Y300, a common feature in the new Toshibas is the use of a facial recognition software which works in conjunction with the integrated Webcam for system logins. Termed as Smartface technology, we have yet to try out Toshiba's implementation of this feature, though our previous experience with the Lenovo machine showed that the system was pretty accurate and quite impossible to fool with a picture. We asked if this software would be available for previous Toshiba models as an upgrade but was told that this new feature will be available only for the new notebooks.

Another feature which started with the Qosmio G40 is the USB Sleep-and-Charge port. Unlike normal USB ports which allow you to draw power only when the laptop is turned on, Sleep-and-Charge technology permits the charging of your devices even if the unit is powered down, a useful feature especially for frequent travelers.

The new models will be available across Asia from end April.

Portege M800

From drab to vivid, business laptops seem to be gaining fashion sense. The Portege M800's exterior has the proprietary Toshiba Fusion Finish. Described by the manufacturer as fusing molten resin into a mold, this gives the M800 a metallic look coupled with a unique horizontal design. Though this machine is meant for the office, touch-sensitive multimedia controls give it an entertainment twist. In a rather retro move, a built-in FM radio tuner (who said video killed the radio star?) rides the airwaves for the latest news and music.

Possibly the first to feature this technology out-of-the-box, the Webcam on this Portege doubles as a business card reader. Take a snapshot of the card, and the software will automatically recognize the different fields and sort them accordingly. This is a great feature, especially after major events when we often come back with enough cards to drown under.

This 13.3-inch laptop is available in white or silver and will be retailing for between S$1,799 (US$1,324.52) and S$2,299 (US$1,692.64).

Satellite M300 and A300

Decorated with the same Fusion Finish as the M800, the new Satellite series targets users with strong entertainment needs. Sporting similar features, the 14.1-inch M300 is meant for those who don't mind having fewer ports in exchange for portability while the 15.4-inch A300 does the reverse.

Our favorite feature is the Regza-Link port, which is essentially an HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) output. Instead of merely hooking up with a larger display, the HDMI-CEC standard allows bi-directional control of the laptop via an HDMI-CEC compatible TV's remote control. This allows the user to start Windows Media Center and access the harddisk content without having to switch remotes. Should your TV possess only a normal HDMI port, a mini remote control stored in the ExpressCard slot is available as a backup.

Other notable features include a built-in FM tuner, Harman Kardon speakers and fingerprint sensor. The added size of the Satellite A300 gives it another advantage as it has two internal harddisk slots for increased storage capacity. Instead of the HD-DVD drive in its predecessor, a LabelFlash DVD writer is included which allows you to label a compatible disc using the laser.

There is one feature we took issue with. Personally, we feel it's bad enough that portables are going with glossy exteriors which are also fingerprint magnets. Though aesthetically pleasing out-of-the-box, Toshiba has extended the glossy concept to the keyboards. Fingerprints really show up clearly, even with casual use, making the surface look oily and dirty. This is one design philosophy we hope is an aberration rather than a trend.

This Satellite M300 will be retailing for between S$1,699 (US$1,250.89) and S$2,699 (US$1,987.15), while the A300 starts at S$2,999 (US$2,208.02).

Satellite L310 and L300

The budget lineup doesn't have Toshiba's Fusion Finish technology, but the new Satellite L310 and L300 offer an attractive feature set despite their affordability.

Differing in screen size, both the 14.1-inch L310 and 15.4-inch L300 come with the aforementioned facial recognition feature and USB Sleep-and-Charge ports. DVD writer, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios are standard, though a small compromise has been made with the Ethernet port which supports only 10/100Mbps. The Satellite L310 starts at S$1,199 (US$882.77), while the L300 price has yet to be confirmed.

 

 
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