Toshiba Tecra 9100

Battery life was more in line with our expectations from a Pentium 4-M, with the PC Pro rundown test returning a figure of 100 minutes, which roughly equates to two and a half hours under typical conditions. However, it's worth noting that the original 1GHz Pentium III-M-based Tecra 9000 lasted for a much longer 137 minutes. It looks like the Pentium 4-M has yet to prove itself as a worthwhile upgrade in terms of performance and battery life.

The presence of Bluetooth and 802.11b wireless networking as standard on this model, along with the three-year international return-to-base warranty, leaves a pleasant impression in the mind. Corporate buyers considering future-proofing and ownership costs relating to repairs overseas will be reassured, and that's what Toshiba is out to do.

The Toshiba Tecra 9100 carries on the good work started by the 9000 series, although the performance benefits of opting for the Pentium 4-M are unclear at the moment, as is the impact on battery life.

Author: Dominic Bucknall