To briefly summarize what my PCWorld colleague Daniel Ionescu earlier today, the Excite 13 is a quad-core beast that weighs in at 2.2 pounds. By comparison, the new iPad is 1.44 pounds, and the Kindle Fire is 14.6 ounces (0.91 pounds).

Toshiba wisely includes a stand with its $650 to $750 Excite 13, an essential tool for someone who plans to use the Excite 13 for an extended period; for example: streaming a 2-hour movie.

PCWorld's Melissa J. Perenson had the opportunity to hold the Excite 13, and says that while it's indeed larger than she's used to, the early prototype feels surprisingly reasonable to hold for short periods and the components seem well-balanced. Perenson says that while there's no way you'd want to hold the Excite 13 for any considerable length of time, or hold it one-handed to read a book, it's more manageable than its behemoth size might indicate.

Too Big?

The Excite 13's main attribute--a really big screen--may also turn out to be its biggest shortcoming. Prolonged tablet use can lead to arm, shoulder, and neck strain, a health issue that may become more commonplace as slates replace desktop and laptop computers in various work environments, including hospitals, restaurants, and factories.