New Toshiba Tablet is Twice as Nice

 By: Bill Armstrong (Contributing Editor)

There is little doubt that tablet, or slate style computers are the hot ticket item at the moment. The overwhelming success of the Apple iPad has left other computer manufacturers looking for ways to get in on the action. With many computer companies getting ready to release their own version of the tablet pc, Tobshiba has taken the opportunity to show us something that stands apart from the competition. Cashing in on peoples desire for a large screen and easy portability, the Toshiba libretto W100 is offering twice the fun of other tablets.

The libretto is looking early on to change the way you think about tablet computers. It has a pair of 7” multi touch screens, and when folded in half, resembles a portable gaming device. It weighs a bit under two pounds, so you will have no problems throwing it your pocket or purse and taking it anywhere you want to go.

It may look small, but the libretto W100 is packed with features that many competitors have yet to deliver. For starters, where most other tablet pc’s are running on a variation of a cell phone operating system, Toshiba offers Windows 7 Home Premium. This, combined with its powerful Intel Pentium processor, means you have more options available to your for work or play. Users will be able to navigate the already familiar operating system using a variety of keyboard options, and the “soft” track pad will let you seamlessly move between typing and navigating the cursor. The libretto makes transfering files easy with a usb port and built in memory card slot. Wireless N capability and Bluetooth will keep you from being tied down with wires,and a built in webcam is there for video confrencing (a feature everyone though would surely be on the iPad).

Bridging the gap between a portable media player and tablet pc, the Toshiba libretto W100 is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Whether using it as an E reader, movie player, or ultra portable office, it seems clear that Toshiba will stand as a power house in the tablet pc wars. Toshiba’s website slates the libretto to release sometime in August, and at this time, no price has been announced. There have not been many devices that make me want to put down my iPad, but I am looking forward to trying this one out. I will be sure to give you all an in depth review, once I get my hands on one.