Introduction
The life of a tech journalist is ever-changing and always fun. Hands-on time with new gadgets and gear never gets old. Opening a package that contains new gear for content is sometimes like reliving the Christmas magic as adults. Sometimes, throughout the review cycle of a year, it can become harder to tell one model from another based on reviews and content. Let’s be real for a moment: when it comes to laptops, they use similar chips and similar RAM. The cooling systems have gotten harder to distinguish, so you start looking at the things manufacturers can control.
You see a different screen, a different trackpad choice, different port placements, or different port types offered. Companies also usually send the higher spec of a product, or flagship models, and that’s good, we love to enjoy impressive performance. Still, it may not be the most affordable model, or even the most practical. Usually, it’s a product that’s easy to find at in-person or online retailers, making the purchasing process simple.
The Test Drive
I had a chance to take a spin with a lesser-known brand known as Dynabook, which is a Sharp company for those curious. I took the Tecra A60-M (Series 2) for a spin in a long-term review and walked away pleased. Now I wonder why some of the bigger-box brands aren’t doing some of the small things Dynabook is doing to improve the user experience. The unit I reviewed is powered by the Intel Core i5 225U, 16GB of dual-channel RAM, and a 16.0 in h WXGA 1920 x 1200 screen. When you read those specs, I’m sure you’re thinking what’s special? We’ll get there. This is a package deal. The ports on the Dynabook are well thought out and plentiful. You do get a microSD card slot, which content creators look for, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, and two USB Type A ports, so you’ve got plenty of options to stay connected. They even managed to slide in an Ethernet port and a barrel jack for charging, though you can still use a USB-C charger on the go.
When you open this laptop, you’ll see it’s not the typical one-finger open; this hinge has a bit of heft and tension. I like that. Durability and longevity should be better. The sticker guy gets a passing grade on this one, just two Intel stickers on the far left of the keyboard deck, out of the way. You’ve got a short travel full-sized keyboard with Copilot key, flanked on the left is a full-sized number pad, so if you’re a number cruncher, this is one to take a look at. You’ve got a nice-sized trackpad that sits below the keyboard, just slightly left of the main keyboard deck. It is a diving board style; we’re not talking haptics here, but the click mechanism is subtle and doesn’t distract from your workflow. I have huge hands and long fingers. I was very comfortable during long work sessions and didn’t get distracted by palm rejection.
So how does it perform? This is where I like to set expectations. Contrary to many reviews, not everyone games, and not everyone needs a dedicated GPU. These days, not everyone games. Some would prefer a good, solid workhorse that’s comfortable to use, doesn’t distract from the task at hand, and gets the job done. This is where the Dynabook excels. During my review, a family member had a life-changing medical emergency and passed away shortly before the holidays. This meant we took to the road daily, spending hours in hospitals, cramped quarters, and never really comfortable. Getting things done where you could, taking care of the family affairs, and trying to stay as minimal as possible while doing it. Email, social media, and Microsoft Phone Link to track texts, calls, and notifications. Again, there’s room for one device, the laptop, and you have to be able to accomplish everything on that device.
I’ve been using Snapdragon-powered devices in my carry bag, so I was very curious how this might compare to the newest Intel chips in terms of power, performance, and efficiency. I refuse to bash Windows 11 for being a problem; we all have the same playing field. The Terca A60 got the job done for me. Pushing out a solid 8-hour battery life during the course of a day. Getting a little more is possible, but you have to be more frugal with your app choices, what you have running, and the number of concurrent apps. I kept the 16-inch 16:10 screen at about 50 percent brightness when I knew I would need to get as much as I could out of the 60Wh battery.
I was able to conduct Zoom calls with normalcy; the internal microphone is serviceable, blocking out most hallway traffic and background chatter to an acceptable level. The webcam is just 720P on this model. While it’s okay, 720P is starting to show its age. I prefer a 1080P camera up top.
Specifications Sheet
Final Thoughts
I get excited about all reviews, and I’m thrilled when I get to enjoy something new. Sometimes that something new is a letdown, or you realize why you haven’t heard of a brand name. Dynabook impressed me with the Tecra A-60. It’s a solid productivity workhorse that maximizes all of its resources in one package. Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports make this a bonus and allow you to stretch its legs. You don’t always need top-of-the-line specs or top-of-the-line money to get things done. This Dynabook receives my recommendation. I would love to see this with an AMD processor or a Snapdragon under the hood. Yes, I said it.
I’m going to start something new with reviews: for each device I review, I’ll list three things I like and three I don’t. We’ll start with the likes and end with the dislikes.
Likes
- I love the screen, at a large 16-inch 16:10, there’s plenty of workspace to get things done without feeling cramped. Some may prefer a higher resolution, but we must remember that this laptop is not intended for video editing or long-term content consumption.
- The number of ports and the port layout are a win. Thunderbolt 4 at this laptop spec level is fantastic to see, alongside HDMI, a headphone jack, and a microSD card slot.
- The antimicrobial finish does add a premium texture and a nice fit and finish here.
Dislikes
- The webcam needs to be 1080P.
- Prone to fingerprints, keep a wiping cloth nearby
- Using a USB-C charger instead of the barrel charger makes the barrel connector another USB-C port.
