I've managed to confirm that the Tecra M4 indeed has a Mic Array. That's good. I've also confirmed that the speakers are blocked in tablet mode. That's bad. I just found out that my tablet has shipped and is on its way to me. That's good.
From my correspondence with my helpful Toshiba Rep:
I asked about the Mic Array and the Speakers on the Tecra M4:
I have question about Mic Array and Speakers on the M4
I've been reading the materials from the web site. I have two questions about the M4 that I have purchased.
Table PCs usually have a Microphone Array consisting of 2-4 microphones that are built-in to the side of the case, for voice Dictation with the Tablet PC Operating system. Can you tell me about the Mic Array on the Toshiba Tecra M4? I do not see any information about this on the web site.
I am looking at the PDF picture of the new M4. From the picture, it appears that the stereo speakers on the M4 will be obscured and the sound blocked when I demonstrate the tablet to my clients in tablet-mode. Is this correct?
My Toshiba representative promptly responded:
Hi Eric,
This is what I found out regarding your questions. Also the speakers will be blocked when you are in tablet mode. Here is the information I received from Toshiba regarding the microphone array on the M4: The Mic Array determines the direction of sound source input to the microphone and suppress sound from outside specified range and surrounding noise.
I followed up to ask about the Mic Array:
I understand, from your email, that the speakers will be blocked when in tablet mode. That's discouraging. I hope I will still be able to use multimedia functions while in tablet mode.
What about the microphone array?
1. Please let me know if the mic array will be blocked from use when in tablet mode as well.
2. Please let me know how many mics make up the array. (Typically 3-4 individual mics. The screen shot appears to imply 3 mics).
To which, my representative responded:
Hello Eric,
No the mic array will not be blocked since it is located on the display
panel. There are 3 individual mics.
Discussion/Comments (4):
It's great to read your tabletpc is on its way! I can't wait to hear your first impressions. I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out. I too was wondering about the mic array, as I was hoping to record the occassional lecture or focus group. Thanks for the sharing the communication with the Toshiba rep.
Posted at 05/10/2005 22:35:45 by Michael Willits
Eric, good news about the array mic. The new tc1100 I just received doesn't have an array which is less than optimum. It also shows a lack of thought in the design process that the tc1100 mic is right between the two speakers. I guess it was a space constraint.
Posted at 05/11/2005 5:57:56 by James Kendrick
I read in toshiba site tecra m4 have parallel port ( i need it because of my single user licence lock that does not present USB Lock) But in detail sheet I did NOT see anything.
How I can be sure tecra m4 have it?
How I can use may licence in tabletPC?
240pin port replicator Support it?
Tnx for your answer.
Posted at 05/21/2005 11:09:05 by Behnam
Sorry, Behnam, no parallel port; no serial port either. You'll have to use a USB adapter for these. Perhaps the port replicator has these ports.
Posted at 05/21/2005 11:27:13 by Eric Mack
Discussion for this entry is now closed.