Toshiba Satellite U925t: A Windows 8 Tablet With a Slide-Out Keyboard

The Toshiba Satellite U925t tablet/laptop. Image: Toshiba.

The Windows 8 computers are here and they continue to get more interesting by the hour today. On the heels of Samsung’s new Windows 8 devices, Toshiba is announcing its own sliding tablet with a keyboard — the Satellite U925t. The company showed off a bit of it back in June, but today it is revealing more details about the tablet-turned-laptop.

Toshiba calls the U925t an ultrabook, and from a quick glance of the spec list it really does look just like a regular laptop. It has a Core i5 processor from Intel and an 128GB solid state drive. But see this computer for yourself and you’ll very quickly realize that it isn’t just another laptop.

When it’s folded up it looks like a thick (.78 inches) tablet with a 12.5-inch screen, but you can then slide the screen up to reveal a full-size keyboard with a touch pad. The entire package weighs 3.2 pounds, which is in line with many ultrabooks, but quite a bit heavier than most tablets.

I got a look at the device this week and found the sliding mechanism worked well. I also found the device sits nicely on one’s lap; with the keyboard out it didn’t topple over while I sat with it in a chair.

It is heavy to hold in tablet mode, though. But, that said, the touchscreen was very responsive to my swipes across the Windows 8 Start Screen and from the edges to bring up other Windows 8 settings. My biggest issue with Windows 8 here was the presence of extra preloaded software on the Desktop. On the unit I saw, there was a WildTangent games program. (So much for thinking Windows 8 would bring an end to bloatware.)

There’s also another trick in the U926t — a Near Field Communication (NFC) chip. Located in the palm rest, Toshiba says it will make it possible for users to tap the computer against other devices to transfer files. There is also a webcam on the front of the screen and a 3-megapixel camera on the back of the device when in tablet mode.

Toshiba isn’t discussing the pricing of the U925t yet, but it says it will be available on Oct. 26 when Windows 8 officially hits.

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User Comments

I hope a device,
slate PC and portable HDMI small monitor of the two uses are all in one, it is able to be switched in between dual function. It is a slate PC and it is also a portable HDMI small monitor, with battery running, and the battery must be an interchangeable way, never want a dead design inside, whatever is which a device.
(a dead design inside for a master was already in the dust, an interchangeable battery method ought to get back consumers again.)

7-inch and 9-inch, 16:10, IPS screen, (under outdoor light the high brightness and contrast also needed), interchangeable battery on the body.

The OS in 32bit Windows x86 is likely a better choice, if the purpose was not only in pastimes. Of course, in cottage workshops an Android OS makes them easier and cheaper.

The device backside there needs a 1/4-inch screw mount can suitably get hanging, when it locked that also allows rotatable to horizontal or vertical. Usually, a camera bottom has a 1/4-inch screw mount can be locked to a tripod, however a slate PC ought to be backside center has a 1/4-inch screw mount, but is not bottom. (screw: 1/4 – 20, UN).

For a slate PC extends function (a small monitor) will intensify its competitive power, but the related cost uplift is merely a tiny level. The function as a portable HDMI small monitor is very useful. For examples, photography, IT tool, media play, … . However, most of people are unlikely insistent to buy a special small monitor, although Sony launched a 5.6-inch monitor and gets some share. Differently, in slate PC provided of the extended function (a small monitor) would be popular, it makes you only needed to buy one, and not two.

if you are a camera lover and carry your camera gears to get a trip, are you also willing to carry the excess two —- a slate PC and a small monitor and the two related chargers? if you are mountanious region on foot, what do you want?

if the two uses are all in one, I will be gladly carrying that one!

Maybe they major manufacturers are not willing to provide the product above, they make you must buy two, if you wanted a small monitor, it makes you more expend and get trouble more.
Ok, so what idea did Chinese cottage workshop’s gentlemen? Copy and copy? Shoddy to shoddy? No else new?

P.S. Please do not get entangled in my Chinglish barrier.