Before using my current Toshiba Satellite L505, I had a Toshiba Tecra 8100. The laptop was a powerful computer during her era. When I bought it, its RAM was only 128 MB and I had to upgrade it to 256 MB. Its operating system was also Microsoft Windows 98. As a web designer, I install it with XP and Microsoft Frontpage 2003. The computer was powered by Mobile Intel Pentium III making it suitable for blogging and word processing works. One thing that I found interesting from the Tecra 8100 was that it has additional accessories that are stored in the computer bag. The width of the screen 14 inch. Its suitable for writers like me but might not be suitable for engineers who need larger hard-disk space and higher RAM. The Tecra 8100 look classy with its metal gray cover and black leather or rubber cover near the lower part of the hinges part.

Most of the Toshiba laptops have soft buttons. That's what I really like from them. We don't have to press hard on the keyword in order for the letters to show up on the computer screen. The layout of the keyboards in Tecra 8100 and Toshiba Satellite L505 is not too different. In Toshiba Tecra 8100, the power button and the speaker are located at the side of the laptop whereas on Satellite L505, the power button and the speakers are located near the hinges of the screen and the keyboard. The buttons of the Toshiba Tecra 8100 have different colors, the letters are brighter than the numbers. When I have used the laptop for more than one hour or when I open many programs, the processor becomes hot and the fan starts to work to reduce the heat. I can hear the sound of the fan working inside the laptop. Unfortunately, I was only able to use the laptop for three years. I broke down last year and I had to buy another new computer. Still my choice is Toshiba. Not because it is the best in the world, but based on my personal experience, Toshiba laptops have buttons that are soft and very suitable me. Toshiba Tecra or Satellite are still my favorite choice for mobile computing because besides they have a lot of features that I need, they are also affordable. 

Officially, Toshiba do not sell Tecra 8100 because they have manufactured newest models with higher capacity and speed. If you are interested in buying one, you probably can order a used laptop that is offered on a number of websites or local computer stores in your town. I saw a website offers it for only 130 US dollars much cheaper than the price when it was still a new product and a leading gadget during her own era. by Charles Roring