14 DAY TRIAL // Toshiba has been selling mobile computers for a long time now and, since it obviously wants to either keep up or stay ahead of trends, has now decided to deliver a pair of Portege laptops equipped with 4G wireless connectivity.
WiMAX may not be especially widespread right now, especially not on a worldwide level (it is available in 54 cities at this time), but its coverage is steadily growing.
As a 4G connectivity technology, it is faster than current solutions, making it especially convenient for mobile PCs since desktops can make do even with just LAN.
Thus, Toshiba created a pair of Portege laptops based on the Intel platform and which pack all of their hardware inside a one inch-thick frame.
The two newcomers are known as the R700-S1332W and R700-S1322W and have screen sizes of 13.3 inches.
The former has a configuration built around an Intel Core i5 central processing unit and a LED-backlit liquid crystal display (LCD).
It also has 4 GB of RAM, a hard disk drive of 320 GB (7,200 RPM) and a DVD Super multi optical drive, plus a webcam.
The R700-S1332W has a more powerful CPU, belonging to the Core i7 line, as well as a solid state drive of 128 GB.
Both newcomers boast webcams, magnesium alloy casings, HD screens and are kept operational by 6-cell batteries.
"4G WiMAX coverage continues to rapidly grow and offers millions of people wireless access in many major metropolitan areas across the U.S.," said Carl Pinto, vice president of product development, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division.
"Now with a WiMAX-enabled Portege R700, Toshiba business professionals will be able to enjoy the benefits of having citywide connectivity at their fingertips," Pinto added.
The R700-S1322W and R700-S1332W have starting prices of $1,349 and $1,699, respectively and have already started selling.