Toshiba Tecra A9 Centrino Pro Notebook Announced

Toshiba has announced Tecra A9 business class 15.4-inch widescreen notebook computer, featuring a new Intel Centrino Pro technology, which is a part of just announced Intel’s “Santa Rosa” laptop platform.

The notebook maker explains that the Centrino Pro consists of four primary components including the latest Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, the Mobile Intel 965 chipset, Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN supporting draft 802.11n wireless connectivity and Intel Active Management Technology (AMT 2.5).

Toshiba Tecra A9 features a full range of the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors, including T7100 at 1.8GHz, T7300 at 2.0GHz, T7500 at 2.2GHz, and T7700 at 2.4GHz. The T7100 has 2MB of L2 cache, while the others have 4MB. All of the new Core 2 Duo Mobile CPUs have 800MHz front side bus and support 64-bit operating systems and software.

The Mobile Intel GM965 Express chipset in offered Tecra A9-ST9001 provides support for up to 4GB of DDR2 system memory and an integrated graphics through Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100. The video options will be expanded later with DirectX 10-ready NVIDIA Quadro NVS 130M discrete graphics, which should be paired with PM965 chipset. There are 1280×800 and 1680×1050 screen resolution options in the A9 notebooks.

“The Tecra A9 offers the draft 802.11n wireless protocol delivering up to five times the throughput performance and up to two times the range4 of the 802.11g standard. With draft 802.11n, Tecra A9 users will experience faster connection speeds and eliminate network connection interruptions while moving about the office. Also, the Intel AMT 2.5 will enable network managers to better manage mobile computing assets to deliver proactive security and enhanced maintenance, minimizing user downtime and providing greater efficiency at or away from the office”, Toshiba’s press release says.

Along with wireless connectivity, Toshiba Tecra A9 has built in Gigabit Ethernet, a 56k modem and a Bluetooth. The new business laptop is offered with up to 160GB SATA hard drive spinning at 5400rpm and with DVD burner. Toshiba’s A9 provides three USB ports, PCMCIA card slot, 5-in-1 media card reader, Firewire, VGA output, Serial port and a fingerprint reader.

The Tecra A9 weighs starting at 6.6lbs, depending upon configuration and comes with Windows Vista Business operating system.

It additionally features shock absorbing design, HDD protection and spill resistant keyboard.

Toshiba’s Tecra A9 (customizable A9-ST9001) is now available through Toshiba Direct, mail order and the company’s Reseller Partners with prices starting at $1,1598.