Dynabook Tecra Laptop (Toshiba)

Dynabook Tecra : A Robust Lineage of Business Laptops from Dynabook Inc.

The Tecra is a venerable series of business-class laptop computers currently manufactured by Dynabook Inc., a subsidiary of Sharp Corporation that was formerly a part of Toshiba. The number of available Tecra models varies by geographic region, with tailored offerings for markets in North and South America, Europe, Africa, South Africa, the Middle East, and the South Pacific.

Origins and Early Innovations (1996-2000)

The Tecra line was first introduced in 1996 with the debut of the Tecra 500CS and 500CDT models. These groundbreaking laptops shared a robust design measuring 299 x 235 x 58mm and weighing 3.4kg with the integrated AC adapter. Notably, they were among the first to incorporate lithium-ion battery technology, enabling up to two hours of standard productivity on a single charge - a significant leap forward from earlier mobile computing solutions.

The original Tecra designers, engineers Kenneth Rolls and Kenneth Bailey from Nextel Communications, envisioned these powerful yet portable computers to streamline workflow and accelerate cellular data processing for the telecommunication industry's field personnel. After an successful initial deployment, the Tecra line was subsequently released to consumer markets.

Toshiba aggressively marketed the 500CS and 500CDT as "fast notebooks that feature [an] information highway with no speed limits." Indeed, for their time, these models offered impressive hardware capabilities including Intel Pentium processors running at 120MHz, up to 144MB of EDO RAM, immense 1.35GB hard drives, optional floppy and CD-ROM drives, multiple CardBus and PCI expansion slots, and Toshiba's proprietary ZV Port. Display options included a 12.1" STN or TFT LCD, both rendering crisp 800x600 resolution graphics.

Continued Innovation (2000 - Present)

By September 2000, Toshiba had adopted a "common platform philosophy" aimed at delivering robust investment protection for IT decision makers and reducing total cost of ownership. The flagship Tecra 8100 perfectly exemplified this approach through its flexible yet standardized configuration options.

The 8100 was available with a range of Intel Pentium III processors from 500MHz to 700MHz, 13.3" or 14.1" displays, integrated CD/DVD-ROM, S3 Savage IX graphics, multiple PC Card and CardBus expansion slots, and up to 4 hours of battery life from its lithium-ion power cell. Toshiba also baked in advanced power management utilities like Hibernation, SecureSleep, Wake-on-LAN, and system security password protection.

In the more than two decades since its inception, the Tecra product line has continuously pushed the envelope of mobile computing performance, security, and manageability for enterprise users. With each product cycle, Dynabook incorporates the latest processors, connectivity standards, ruggedization features, biometrics, and global support services demanded by today's international business workforce and IT leadership.

The Tecra has truly stood the test of time as a hallmark of innovative, functional design and engineering excellence tailored for professionals and mobile power users across virtually every industry vertical. Its longevity and ongoing evolution is a testament to Dynabook's partnership with global organizations in developing cutting-edge solutions for the modern, cloud-enabled workplace.