77

We look at the EasyGuard technology that protects Toshiba’s Tecra A8 notebook. This includes spill-resistant keyboard, 3D accelerometer and crumple zones.

exploding tech Toshiba Tecra A8

1

2

34

5

6

10

8

9

13

11 12

1415 16 17

18

20

19

21

22

23

24

25

26

Toshiba Tecra A8 notebook

1 LCD screen is screwed onto mounting LCD screen is screwed onto mounting bracket (not external case) for extra protection. Yellow pads provide cushioning against shocks.

2 LCD mounting bracket with leaf LCD mounting bracket with leaf spring to give flexibility and prevent screen damage.

3 LCD casing with wireless networking LCD casing with wireless networking antenna (white cable).

4 15.4in TFT Active Matrix wide-screen 15.4in TFT Active Matrix wide-screen XGA (1,280 x 800 resolution). Rests on cushioning pads to prevent damage.

5 LCD housing. LCD housing.6 FL inverter and LCD control board. FL inverter and LCD control board.

Provides high voltage to drive the fluorescent tube in the LCD screen. Blue/red cables carry data to screen.

7 Lock tight screws. Screws into brass Lock tight screws. Screws into brass inserts, not plastic, for added strength. All screw holes on casework labelled for easy repair.

8 Casing. Casing.9 Spill-resistant keyboard. Spill-resistant keyboard.

10 Spill resistant cover for wireless / Spill resistant cover for wireless / Spill resistant cover for wireless / keyboard support plate.

11 Spill-resistant covers protecting Spill-resistant covers protecting Spill-resistant covers protecting Wi-Fi unit.

12 Biometric security with advanced Biometric security with advanced Biometric security with advanced fingerprint sensor with Toshiba Fingerprint Utility.

13 Casing. Casing. Casing.14 System fan. System fan. System fan.15 Integrated Intel 3945 ABG PRO/Wireless Integrated Intel 3945 ABG PRO/Wireless Integrated Intel 3945 ABG PRO/Wireless

802.11a/b/g.16 CPU Northbridge with heat sink, and CPU Northbridge with heat sink, and CPU Northbridge with heat sink, and

support bracket to keep chip firm on motherboard.

17 Mobile Intel Core Duo T2400 Mobile Intel Core Duo T2400 Mobile Intel Core Duo T2400 Processor (dual-core 1.83GHz, 667 FSB, 2MB L2 cache). Mobile Intel 945GM Express Chipset.Express Chipset.

18 Single motherboard for easier repair. Single motherboard for easier repair. Single motherboard for easier repair. Single motherboard for easier repair. PCB has added thickness for strength. PCB has added thickness for strength. Cooling pipe removes heat.Cooling pipe removes heat.

19 DVD SuperMulti Dual / Double Layer DVD SuperMulti Dual / Double Layer DVD SuperMulti Dual / Double Layer DVD SuperMulti Dual / Double Layer (DVD±R±RW,DVD±R(DL) DVD-RAM).(DVD±R±RW,DVD±R(DL) DVD-RAM).

20 Crumple zones between edge of circuit Crumple zones between edge of circuit Crumple zones between edge of circuit Crumple zones between edge of circuit board and inside of casing help protect board and inside of casing help protect motherboard in case of severe impact. motherboard in case of severe impact.

21 Modem. Modem. Modem. Modem.

22 Primary battery — 6 cell x 4,400mAh Primary battery — 6 cell x 4,400mAh Lithium-Ion battery (up to four hours depending on usage).

23 RAM 512MB DDR2 expandable to 4GBs RAM 512MB DDR2 expandable to 4GBs (one slot used, one slot free).

24 Hard drive 80GB (5,400rpm) capacity Hard drive 80GB (5,400rpm) capacity SATA. Hard drive mounted on four cushions for shock protection. 3D accelerometer on motherboard detects sudden motion and docks drive head to protect when notebook is dropped.

25 Raised HDD dome to prevent Raised HDD dome to prevent damage to hard drive internals while disc is spinning.

26 Access panel to modem and RAM. Access panel to modem and RAM.