Satellite R15-S822 Offers Consumers Affordable, Full-Featured Notebook with Tablet PC Functionality

I played with this last night for a little while. It will directly compete with the Averatec C3500. There are two models, Satellite R15-S822 and R10.

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CES 2005, LVCC, Central Hall, Booth 13029 – Toshiba’s Digital Products Division, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. and provider of industry-leading portable computers, projectors and other mobile-related services and products, today introduced the Satellite® R15-S822, an affordable, full-featured notebook with the additional functionality of a Tablet PC.

The Satellite R15-S822 convertible notebook allows users to work with a traditional keyboard or rotate and fold the LCD screen on top of the keyboard for use as a Tablet PC with digital pen-based input and control. The product features a 14.1-inch XGA display that offers a large 8.5- by 11-inch writing and viewing area, simulating the dimensions of a paper notepad.

The Satellite R15-S822 also includes an integrated DVD-CDRW optical disc drive for multimedia enjoyment, 60GB hard drive, 512MB memory (expandable to 2GB), Intel™ Centrino® 802.11g wireless technology, and Microsoft™ Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 operating system.
The Satellite R15-S822 is scheduled to be available in major consumer electronics and computer stores nationwide and from ToshibaDirect (www.toshibadirect.com) in Q1 2005 with pricing to be announced at shipping.

“The Satellite R15-S822 is perfect for the notebook buyer who would like the ability to move beyond the keyboard and take notes, handwrite an e-mail or draw with digital ink on a portable, fully configured notebook PC,” said Taro Hiyama, vice president of marketing, Digital Products Division, Toshiba America Information Systems. “Students, teachers, professionals and others will appreciate the freedom and creativity possible with a dual-function notebook that also offers Toshiba quality, design and reliability at an affordable price.”

With the installed OneNote™ 2003 software and Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, Satellite R15-S822 users can:

Create, edit, organize and search handwritten notes and drawings that would typically be recorded on paper and easily retrieve them;
Put a personal touch in e-mail and messages with handwritten notes and drawings or a signature that family, friends and co-workers can view with any PC running Microsoft Outlook;

Convert digitized “ink” to text with the Tablet PC Input Panel that launches whenever you write, recognizing words and characters dynamically so users can easily make corrections before inserting text;
Draw on PowerPoint slides as part of the editing process or highlight information during presentations (*requires purchase of Microsoft Office);
Change the color, thickness and tip style of the digital pen for writing or highlighting.

In addition, the convertible form factor provides users an unparalleled level of flexibility. In Tablet PC mode, a user can hold the Satellite R15-S822 like a notepad and compute in any setting, including the comfort of one’s couch, to sit back and brainstorm, browse the Web, or read an electronic book or magazine.

Available accessories include a choice of port replicators, spare batteries with optional battery charger, and the new Multimedia Center Audio/USB Hub that allows consumers to easily connect their notebook computers to their home entertainment systems. A wide selection of carrying cases are also available.

The Satellite R15-S822 comes with a one-year warranty with Toshiba’s premier, Six Sigma global service for the mobile computing user. Customers can choose from several service options, including carry-in support at Authorized Service Providers throughout the country for same-day or next-day service, or utilizing any of more than 3,000 UPS Stores for packaging and delivery of the product to a centralized Depot for 24-hour service turnaround.

Toshiba also offers Ask Iris® Online, an instant response information service that can alert users to security software patches or provide other information regarding their product from Toshiba engineers and technical support staff.

An overview of confirmed specifications includes:
CPU: Intel Centrino Mobile Technology
Graphics: Intel Extreme Graphics 2
LCD: 14.1-inch diagonal XGA
Memory: 512MB to 2GB (DDR333)
HDD: 60GB (4200rpm)
ODD: Select Bay DVD-CDRW drive
Wireless: Intel PRO/Wireless Network Connection 2200BG
Operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005
Docking: Advanced Port Replicator III & Tablet Multi Dock II

About Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS)
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TAIS is comprised of three divisions: Digital Products, Digital Solutions and Storage Device. Together, the three divisions provide mobile products and solutions, Internet access plans, communications, storage and imaging products and services. Products include industry-leading portable computers, projectors, DVD/CD recordable products and hard disk drives, telephony products, digital imaging systems, wireless solutions and services.

TAIS provides sales, marketing and services for its wide range of information products in the United States and Latin America. TAIS is an independently operated company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, a world leader in high technology and integrated manufacturing of electrical and electronic components, products and systems. Toshiba has global sales of over $52 billion and more than 300 subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.toshiba.com.

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©2004 Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS). All products, services and company names are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Information in media advisories including without limitation product prices, specifications, content of services, and contact information, is current on the date of the press announcement, but is subject to change without notice.

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So how do the graphics of the new Satellite R15 stack up against the M200?

The real appeal of the M200 to me was that it had an SXGA+ Display (1400 x 1050) With nVidia Mobile graphics card. Isn't the R15's Intel graphics somewhat of a downgrade? The screen may be bigger, maybe Intel's card is less power hungry (although I doubt the larger screen is) but I would prefer 3D performance and desktop realistate.

I'm a semi-satisfied 3505 owner. It's got it's issues and I've been wanting to upgrade. I really like the look of the R15, although the I'm not so sure I would pick it over the older M200 if the specs don't beat it. The internal CDR/DVD option is nice though!

This was the first thing all of us said when we heard it was 1024. Several Toshiba reps gave different answers. One stated the specifications were not set in stone, while others stated this product was going after the consumer market and they didn't believe the resolution would be an issue. Interestingly, a few reps were saying the product had not even been announced yet. Oh well.

We'll see what they decide when the product finally ships in a couple of months.

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Layne P. Heiny / Administrator for Tux Reports Network

Please do not send private messages requesting technical support. Place your request in the proper forum and hopefully someone can help you.

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