Toshiba has announced the updated Portege M405 for the US market,improving on the Portege M400, already available in NZ.

The Portege M405 comes with 1GB of RAM vs the M400s 512MB, a 100GB hard disk vs the M400s 80GB and is already configued with a DVD super multi format drive.

Other features about the M4xx series are:

12.1-inch XGA diagonal display that easily switches into "slate" mode so users can stay productive at their desk, standing, in a meeting or lounging at home. Users can use the mouse, keyboard, digital-ink-enabled pen or their voice to manipulate information and maximize productivity.

EasyGuard technology, which is a series of hardware and software enhancements designed to help boost mobile security, system integrity, network connectivity and overall ease-of-use.

Swappable Ultra SlimBay for a CD-RW/DVD, DVD SuperMulti optical drives or a second hard drive for onboard data backup.

Shared details for the M4xx include

Intel Core Solo T1300 (1.6Ghz, 2MB L2 cache, 667FSB) OR Intel Core Duo 2400 (1.83Ghz, 2MB L2 cache, 667FSB)

12.1" XGA 1024x768 TFT display

Intel 945GM chipset with GMA950 graphics accelerator, shared memory of 8 - 128MB

2x DDR2 memory slots

2.5" 5400rpm SATA with Toshiba safeguard HDD protection system

5-in-1 media reader (SD/SDIO, Sony MS, Sony MS Pro, xD)

PCMICA Type I/II slot

1x IEEE1394a (400Mbps) by i.Link

3x USB2.0 ports

RJ11 modem

Gigabit Ethernet Intel 82573L 10/100/1000Mbps

Intel Pro Wireless 3945ABG (Golan) 802.11(a/b/g) with physical on/off switch

Bluetooth 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate (EDR)

Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to store encryption keys

Biometric fingerprint reader

Sigmatel STAC9200 24bit audio chipset

Built in stereo speakers

Primary battery, 6Cell, 4700mAH Lithium (Li) Ion rechargable, ~5 hours of average use

Optional slice battery, 6Cell, 4000mAH Li Ion

MS Windows XP Tablet Edition 2005

84 key (US) spill resistant keyboard and integrated TouchPad pointing device

Weight 2.04Kg and moving up depending on configuration

295mm x 249mm x 38.9mm

240pin docking connector for interface to advanced port replicator which adds, 4x USB2.0, V45 Ethernet, RGB VGA and DVI connectors

The M400 is currently available in NZ and is priced from Nz$3,690 - NZ$4,708 inc GST depending on the configuration