Toshiba Reveals New Android Tablets with Tegra 4

Toshiba updated its Excite family of Android tablets on Monday with three new models: the Excite Pro, Excite Write and Excite Pure. All three pack Nvidia Tegra chips, with the quad-core Tegra 3 powering the Excite Pure, and the Excite Pro and Excite Write joining a number of upcoming units listed in the first wave of tablets sporting the newer, meatier Tegra 4 SoC.

Essentially the Excite Pro and Excite Write tablets are the same on a hardware level. Both are based on Nvidia's quad-core Tegra 4 SoC, 2 GB of DDR3 memory, and 32 GB of internal storage. They also sport a 10.1 inch PixelPure display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 (300 ppi) and Corning Gorilla Glass 2. Other similar features include micro HDMI output, micro USD ports, a micro SD card slot, Harman Kardon stereo speakers, DTS Premium Voice Pro audio processing technology, an 8MP F2.2 camera with high-dynamic range (HDR), panorama effects and image stabilization, and Android 4.2.x "Jelly Bean".

However the Excite Write comes with a digitizer display, a precision TruPen featuring 1024 pressure points, and Toshiba's own TruNote application providing an easy way to store, organize, navigate and edit notes. Also included is a full version of ThinkFree Office Mobile for Android.

"Write users can easily create and edit documents with greater creativity and accuracy," the company said. "Productivity capabilities are enhanced further with TruCapture, a Toshiba-developed application that quickly and easily captures whiteboard content using the tablet's built-in camera and converts the snapshot for easier integration into presentations and documents."

The Excite Pure is the less expensive model of the bunch, powered by Nvidia's quad-core Tegra 3, 1 GB of DDR3 memory, and 16 GB of internal storage. Additional key features include a 10.1-inch AutoBrite display (1280 x 800), a 3MP rear camera, stereo speakers with DTS Premium Voice Pro, micro HDMI output, micro USB ports, a micro SD card reader, and Android 4.2.x "Jelly Bean".

The Excite Pure has a "starting" price of $299.99, meaning additional configurations may be provided (likely in the internal storage department). The Excite Pro is priced at $499.99 whereas the Excite Write with the included Toshiba TruPen stylus costs $599.99. The company said a protective 2-in-1 raised tile Bluetooth keyboard cover with a magnetized notch will be offered separately as well, but didn't provide a price.

All three tablet models will be available beginning on June 25, 2013 and can be purchased directly from Toshiba at ToshibaDirect.com or from major retailers and e-tailers nationwide beginning in early July, the company said.