Ratings: 4/5
Price: $ 1,150
Website: www.laptopsdirect.co.uk
Toshiba Tecra R850
Toshiba’s Laptop Tecra Series is made for professionals
rather than home-users, but R850 has reasonable price with a high-performance
machine. If you want the greatest processing for you money, it can be what you
are looking for.
The i5-2520M (dual-core, 2.5GHz) processor can jump up to
3.2 GHz with Turbo Boost when the temperature allows. With 4GB RAM, it gets an
overall score of 60 in our multi-media test, so it has enough power for heavy
tasks.
You will not have any problems while moving, because the
battery life lasts for 7 hours and 45 minutes in our light-use test. It weighs
2.5 kg, so you will not expect to carry it everywhere.
We are impressed by its connection ability. It has 2 USB
ports, 1 USB 3 port, 1 multi-format card reader and 1 eSATA/USB combined port,
as well as Ethernet, audio jack, DisplayPort video output and VGA.
Toshiba describes R850 as “super light and thin”, but the
16.6-inch - the 1366x768 screen proves that it is not completely true. However,
the screen is suitable for using because of the anti-light-reflection surface
which helps us to watch it right. Viewing angles are average, but there is great
tilt to compensate. Colors and contrast are not very impressive, so the screen
should be used for documents rather than films.
Pressing on large-sized Chiclet is quite comfortable,
regardless of swallow pressing providing little feedback. Each key is fairly
empty, and there is isolated number keypad for data entry, but the flat keys
are not as responsive as ones we have used.
Choosing interfaces proves that it is a business laptop.
Besides touchpad compact, it has a touchstick and 2 mouse buttons. We think that
the fingerprint among buttons should be placed in another location, because we
feel narrow when trying to click on everything; but the buttons are solid and
create “click” sound to let you know the signals are received.
Tecra R850 is well-equipped, but it is quite expensive for a
15-inch laptop – a very mobile one though. With more $94, you can have the
14-inch version of Samsung’s Series 5 Ultrabook which is much lighter. If you
want a good battery life, Toshiba remains a good choice, but its business-oriented
function such as touchstick or fingerprint reader will be unnecessary for all.
Solution
Verdict: Powerful with good battery life, but
there are more desirable consumer-focused laptops for similar amount of money.
Business laptop: Intel Core i5-2520M, 4GB RAM,
320GB disk, Intel HD 3000 graphics, DVD+/-RW+/-DL, 15.6 inch wide angle LCD,
2.5kg, 1 year RTB warranty
Energy consuming: 0W for stand-by, 16W for
idling, 52W for performing
