Toshiba Libretto has a traditional netbook form factor, but with an additional 7 inch 1024×600 multi-touch display instead of a keyboard. The design reminds of Microsoft’s Courier, the revolutionary dual tablet and ebook reader that never went in production.

Libretto W100 instead will enjoy a limited edition distribution aimed at technology enthusiasts. Toshiba is exploring the UMPC niche market between tablets and netbooks and it’s interesting to see whether this truly ultra-portable mobile PC could compete with the iPad.

How does Toshiba Libretto compare to the iPad?

At first sight, the advantages of having two screens instead of one are obvious, and Toshiba’s design looks as magical as Apple’s. There can be no competition in terms of ergonomics, because the Libretto can be placed flat on a table, held like an iPad (weight can be between 700 and 819 gr. depending on battery size) or used as a laptop.

Moreover, Libretto’s virtual keyboard can be arranged in different layouts, enabling thumb typing on one or both screens. Touch typing will be faster and easier thanks to the haptic feedback, a tactile response (slight vibration) that makes you know you have pressed a button when you are typing.

iPad’s battery life is longer, but Toshiba Libretto is multitasking and supports Flash: In fact, it’s a fully featured Windows 7 machine with an Intel ULV processor that can replace a desktop PC for most usages.

In terms of user experience, according to the first hands-on reviews, the Libretto can’t reproduce the iPad’s immediacy and responsiveness. Apple designed the iPad from the custom processor to the operative system in order to ensure an unparalleled user experience that Windows 7 tablets can’t match yet.

Probably a mobile OS on a lighter, single screen 7-9” device could provide a cheaper and faster alternative to Apple’s tablet. The first Android tablets are entering the market and Nokia is rumored to be working on an ARM-based tablet that would benefit from Meego, a touch and mobile friendly operative system developed from the fusion of Moblin and Maemo.

Toshiba Libretto W100 photo by Peter Cartwright

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