Archive for Sharp

Review: Sharp Dynabook Portege Z40L-N

Posted in Products with tags on March 18, 2026 by itnerd

This is the second of two Sharp Dynabook laptops that I am reviewing this week. You can read about the firstSharp Dynabook that I reviewed here. And that was a light and reasonably quick laptop. Today I have something that is lighter than that one and faster in a lot of ways. It’s the Portege Z40L-N and it clocks in at a mere 2.11 pounds which is insanely light. In fact, if I needed a notebook to carry on the daily, this would likely be my choice.

But just because it’s light doesn’t mean that you give up anything. I’m going to start with performance based on the following specs:

  • Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 258V
  • Windows 11 Pro
  • 14.0″ diagonal widescreen
  • 32 GB RAM
  • 512 GB PCIe NVMe SSD
  • Fingerprint reader
  • 2 x USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports
  • Intel ARC Graphics
  • WiFi 7, Bluetooth, Ethernet
  • 56 W battery

First let’s start with the CPU and GPU performance. I did my testing using Geekbench 6 and I did one test on battery and one test on AC power as PC laptops can have radically different results in each scenario. Here’s the results:

On battery:

  • Single Core: 2144
  • Multi Core: 9292
  • GPU (OpenCL): 26777

And here’s the results while on AC Power: 

  • Single Core: 2544
  • Multi Core: 9784
  • GPU (OpenCL): 24840

To put that in perspective, my M1 Pro MacBook Pro hit these numbers (both on battery and on AC power) for the CPU:

  • Single Core: 1762
  • Multi Core: 12431

So despite being a small and thin laptop, it put out pretty impressive numbers. And I had to run the GPU test three times to validate the numbers as it was odd that it had a higher score on battery versus on AC power. But the results came out the same every time so I have to assume that this is a legitimate score.

Now onto the disk test. Here’s the results on both AC and battery power:

  • Read: 3420.61 MB/s
  • Write: 2319.43 MB/s

So it’s not the fastest SSD around as my MacBook Pro posted up a score of over 5000 MB/s in both read and write tests. But it’s far from slow.

You also aren’t giving up anything in terms of ports:

The screen itself is very bright and vibrant. Though it does have issues with really bright reflections such as a camera flash. I won’t hold that against Sharp. The keyboard has a nice typing feel to it as well. I wasn’t a fan of the trackpad as using a MacBook Pro as my daily driver, I found getting used to a mechanical trackpad to be a problem as it is a mechanical diving board trackpad. But that’s a me problem. I am pretty sure it will not be a you problem.

On the left side, you get a USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 port for power and data, an HDMI port, a USB-A port, a headphone jack, and a microSD slot.

On the right side you get a USB-A port, a USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 port and an Ethernet jack along with an Kensington lock slot.

In short, This notebook is fully featured and missing nothing. Except maybe for battery life. It’s rated for “up to” 8 hours. I barely got past 5 hours. Your mileage may vary on that front. But given the overall package that’s on offer here, I will give Sharp a free pass on that one. You can pick one up for about $2600. And in my opinion, if you want a light laptop that doesn’t force you to give up on speed or connectivity, it would be money well spent.

Review: Sharp Dynabook Tecra A40-M Laptop

Posted in Products with tags on March 16, 2026 by itnerd

Last week I got the chance to review not one, but two laptops from Sharp’s laptop division Dynabook. The first of these two laptops is the Tecra A40-M laptop. The specific variant that I have comes with these specs:

  • Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 255U
  • Windows 11 Pro
  • 14″ diagonal widescreen that is also a touchscreen
  • 16 GB DDR5 5600
  • 512 GB PCIe NVMe SSD
  • Fingerprint Reader
  • Thunderbolt 4
  • 60Wh battery to give you up to 8 hours of battery life
  • Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2
  • Intel ARC Graphics
  • Weighs 3.18 pounds

These seem like decent specs on paper. And they are as I will highlight in a moment. But what got my attention is the build quality. This laptop felt really solid because of the fact that it is built to MIL STD 810-H. Every part of the laptop that I touched felt like it could take a beating if required. I point that out because a lot of PC laptops that I pick up do not come even close to feeling that way. In fact some laptops from some big name companies feel flimsy at times. Thus I am often concerned about how long they would last during a trip or the like. I would have none of those concerns if I was carrying this laptop.

Speaking of the laptop, you haven’t seen it yet. Here’s a few pictures:

The one thing that stands out to me is this 14″ screen. It’s sharp and clear. The other thing that stands out is the keyboard. I liked the typing feel and touch typists will really love it. I was not as enamoured with the track pad. But that’s like a “me” problem as I am used to Mac trackpads which are not diving board designs like this one. Thus the clicks on those feel consistent unlike this one. Die hard Windows users however will not care because they are used to this sort of feel.

On the left side of the laptop is the Kensington lock slot, a power connector (why isn’t it USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 to make life easier for users who want to go USB-C all the things including chargers), a HDMI port, two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack.

On the right is an Ethernet jack, USB-A port and an micro SD card slot.

What I was really interested in is how fast is this laptop. To find out I ran Geekbench 6 on it. Now synthetic benchmarks aren’t a definitive measure of how fast a computer is because how fast a computer is or isn’t is dependent on your use case. Having said that, it will give you a pretty good idea of what you can expect. I did two runs of the GPU and CPU tests. Once on power and once on battery as PC laptops perform worse when on battery to save battery. Here’s what I got. First here’s the results while on battery:

  • Single Core: 1750
  • Multi Core: 6928
  • GPU (OpenCL): 16747

And here’s the results while on AC Power:

  • Single Core: 2277
  • Multi Core: 8656
  • GPU (OpenCL): 18893

To put that in perspective, my M1 Pro MacBook Pro hit these numbers (both on battery and on AC power) for the CPU:

  • Single Core: 1762
  • Multi Core: 12431

That makes the Dynabook’s numbers more than respectable. In terms of disk speed, I ran Crystal Disk Mark both on battery and on AC power. Here’s the results that I got in both scenarios:

  • Read: 5280.89 MB/s
  • Write: 3072.29 MB/s

Whatever SSD that was chosen to be used in this Dnynabook, it’s a pretty quick one.

Finally there’s battery life. It’s rated for 8 hours. In testing the best that I did was 6.5 hours. Not bad for a PC laptop. Also give its size, it’s not surprising as you can only shove in so much batter for something thin and light.

Here’s the bottom line. The Dynabook A40-M is a well built reasonably fast laptop that is light and easy to tote around. It will survive your daily activities and come back for more while providing ample amounts of CPU and GPU power. The A40-M starts at around $1800, and in my opinion is well worth the money.

Sharp Expands Audio Portfolio in Canada

Posted in Commentary with tags on February 13, 2026 by itnerd

 Sharp Electronics of Canada Ltd. today announced the expanded availability of its consumer audio portfolio in Canada, introducing a comprehensive range of portable and party speakers, headphones, mini component systems, soundbars, and surround speakers designed for exceptional sound quality, seamless connectivity, and an immersive home entertainment experience.

Designed to fit every lifestyle, from on-the-go listening and social gatherings to immersive home theatre experiences, Sharp’s latest audio lineup combines bold performance, modern connectivity, and intuitive features that make great sound easy and accessible.

Sharp Electronics of Canada Ltd. is bringing its consumer audio products to Canadian customers through Randmar, its authorized distributor. Select models will arrive in stores starting January 2026, with more rolling out through Q1. Randmar, a leading Canadian distributor with deep expertise in consumer electronics and a strong retail network, will ensure Sharp’s products are widely available and supported across the country.

The expanded Sharp audio portfolio includes the following:

  • Party Speakers delivering powerful sound, rechargeable batteries, karaoke functionality with included microphones, and dynamic LED and strobe lighting to energize any gathering.
  • Portable Bluetooth® Speakers built for fun and durability, featuring IP67 waterproof and floating designs, long battery life, True Wireless Stereo (TWS) pairing, RGB lighting, and Bluetooth® connectivity.
  • Headphones and Earphones, including over-ear, bone conduction, and true wireless options, offering extended playtime, hands-free calling, and lightweight comfort for everyday and active use.
  • Mini Component Systems that blend modern streaming with classic CD, USB, and auxiliary playback- delivering bold sound with a touch of nostalgia.
  • Soundbars and Surround Speakers designed to elevate home entertainment with powerful output, wireless subwoofers, Dolby Audio™and Dolby Atmos® support, and flexible connectivity including HDMI ARC/eARC and Bluetooth®.

Availability

Sharp’s consumer audio products are available in Canada through authorized distribution, with select models arriving beginning in January 2026 and additional products rolling out through Q1 2026.

Sharp Canada Introduces Next-gen EC Series dvLED

Posted in Commentary with tags on February 5, 2026 by itnerd

Sharp Electronics of Canada Ltd. today unveiled the Sharp EC Series dvLED, the latest expansion of its essential dvLED portfolio. The EC Series delivers exceptional visual performance, simplified installation and significantly improved energy efficiency, powered by advanced Chip-on-Board (COB) technology. Built on Sharp’s global leadership in display innovation, the EC Series answers growing demand for sustainable, cost-effective and future-ready large-format display solutions.

Redefining dvLED for Canadian Businesses and Institutions

The EC Series expands Sharp’s E Series family with a new generation of direct-view LED displays designed for retail, corporate, education and public-space environments. Engineered for reliability and performance, the EC Series supports impactful visual communication across a wide range of professional applications.

The Chip-on-Board (COB) Advantage: Smarter by Design

At the core of the EC Series is advanced Chip-on-Board (COB) construction, a manufacturing approach that bonds multiple LED chips directly onto the display substrate. This design delivers measurable benefits throughout the product lifecycle:

  • Superior energy efficiency: COB technology can cut power use by up to 60 per cent compared with traditional Surface-Mounted Device (SMD) LEDs, reducing energy costs and environmental impact while maintaining brightness.
  • Enhanced durability: Protective encapsulation gives the EC Series a durable, touch-friendly surface that resists dust and impact, ideal for high-traffic, interactive environments.
  • Outstanding image quality: Dense LED integration enables vivid colour reproduction, deep blacks and contrast ratios of up to 10,000:1, resulting in crisp, uniform visuals.

Designed for Efficiency from Installation to Operation

Sharp’s intuitive EC Series cabinet design can cut installation time by up to 50 per cent versus conventional dvLEDs. With faster setup, lower operating costs and simpler deployment, it’s an efficient, practical choice from day one.

Flexible Configuration for Diverse Spaces

The EC Series is available in fine pixel pitches of 0.9, 1.2, 1.5 and 1.8 mm, ensuring optimal resolution and viewing performance across applications ranging from collaborative corporate spaces to dynamic retail signage.

The EC Series is scheduled to begin shipping in April 2026.

Sharp’s dvLED Video Displays

Sharp’s full line of indoor and outdoor direct view LED (dvLED) video displays is designed to provide stunning clarity, effortless scalability and enterprise-grade reliability, making them a gamechanger for corporate spaces, digital signage and immersive experiences. With their cutting-edge image quality, plug-and-play simplicity, flexible and scalable design, energy efficiency and enhanced durability, Sharp dvLED displays set a new standard for how businesses, institutions and brands communicate visually.

Recently, Sharp Canada partnered with Diversified to help shape the future of learning and innovation at Western University. At the heart of Western’s Schmeichel Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre, Sharp dvLED displays were strategically positioned in spaces for internal events, lectures and large gatherings, setting a new standard for visual excellence. With ultra slim profiles and neutral finishes, Sharp dvLED displays integrate seamlessly into the architecture, enhancing academic, administrative and cultural programming with professional grade clarity and reliability.

For more information, visit https://sharp.ca/en/products/business-displays-dvled/.

Sharp Electronics Of Canada Announces Eight New Letter-Sized A4 Printers And MFPs

Posted in Commentary with tags on December 17, 2020 by itnerd

Sharp Electronics of Canada has announced eight new models in its lineup of letter-sized A4 printers for office and home use. The range features compact designs that fit easily into any space, and out-of-the-box copy, print, scan and fax capabilities. These new models are designed with high-performance features typically found on larger machines, delivering the productivity, performance and reliability needed for busy work environments. 

This new expansion of our A4 lineup is complementary to our solid, award winning A3 products and other document solutions we support and provides our channel partners and customers with a one-Sharp solution across their businesses and their home offices; our way of supporting the change in work from home trend.The new models include three monochrome multifunction printers (MFPs): MXB557F, MXB427W and MXB467F; three colour MFPs: MXC357F, MXC407F and MXC507F; and two monochrome Single Function Printers (SFPs): MXB427PW and MXB467P. With speeds ranging from 35-60 pages per minute, these products can integrate seamlessly into any existing office or home environment.

Users will benefit from a compact design with robust technology and advanced workflow features for virtually any sized office. These new products include easy connectivity to your popular public cloud services such as Box, Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox. Mobile printing is supported for Chromebooks and for iOS devices via AirPrint. Users can use MS Office Direct to print from USB drives, or send scanned files directly to USB. All of these can be easily navigated by a robust, intuitive and easy to use touch panel display.

Businesses are assessing their needs as they plan returns to their office spaces, but are also considering how to ensure employees have all they need for their offices at home. The new monochrome and colour MPFs from Sharp fit into any space or workflow, supporting our goal to provide Canadian companies with the tools right for them so employees can be productive no matter where they’re working.

All models will be available through authorized Sharp dealers in February 2021.

Sharp Canada Donates $50,000 Worth Of Technology For Education To Five Ontario Schools

Posted in Commentary with tags on November 24, 2020 by itnerd

Five Ontario schools in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) have received $50,000 worth of technology from Sharp Electronics of Canada as part of its Sharp@School pilot program. The company is providing calculatorscollaboration and professional displays and air purifiers to ensure students at elementary and high schools have equitable access to tools for learning and to help with student success.

The participating schools include Monarch Park Collegiate Institute, Lakeshore Collegiate Institute, Etobicoke School of the Arts and James S. Bell Junior Middle Sports and Wellness Academy in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB); and Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Elementary School in the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB).  

In many cases, access to technology depends on students’ ability to bring their own devices to school. Providing calculators to students in need will help them be successful and reduce distractions from phones. Sharp’s EL243SB calculators will support numeracy programs in Grade 3 and above and EL501XBWH and ELW516XGBSL scientific calculator models will support high school students as they learn complex functions in Grade 9 and throughout their high school careers. Sharp has donated almost 2,000 calculators to the schools.

During the pandemic, students have been asked to minimize what they bring to school and to reduce the number of items they share for safety reasons. “By having that resource in their classroom, students no longer have to worry about bringing their own or sharing with others,” added Michailidis.  

The donation of a Sharp AQUOS Board® collaboration display will provide students at Lakeshore Collegiate Institute with the chance to work together on a large digital canvas, creating opportunities for creativity and collaboration. 

In other schools, professional displays will be used to share announcements and student accomplishments and improve access to information for the student body. For mathematics departments, teachers will use the displays to share locations of extra help for students in need and math challenges/solved problems of the week.

Sharp has also donated air purifiers for use in classrooms without windows. 

To learn more about the Sharp@School initiative and specific donation details, visit https://sharpsimplybetterliving.ca/2020/11/23/inaugural-sharpschool-program-helps-five-ontario-schools-improve-access-to-technology/

Sharp Canada Launches New Business-Friendly 4K Ultra-HD Displays & Recommends Some Cleaning Tips

Posted in Commentary with tags on May 20, 2020 by itnerd

Sharp Electronics of Canada today launched a new series of 4K Ultra-HD displays with built-in tuner support, business-friendly features and an elegant, slender frame, designed to engage audiences in hospital, business and retail settings.

The 4TB Series includes three models: the 4TB60CJ1U with a 60-inch class screen; the 4TB70CJ1U with a 70-inch class screen; and the 4TB80CJ1U with an 80-inch class screen.

The displays are engineered to be simple to set up and run. Features include:

  • Superb 4K Ultra-HD Image Quality – all models bring out all the colour depth, detail and clarity. Audiences will notice subtle textures and fine details not visible at full HD resolution.
  • Enhanced Connectivity – all models include two HDMI inputs, a RS-232C and LAN command set, a built-in USB port, and a built-in media player to display photos, music and videos.
  • Ultimate Control Features – the models support flexible remote control capabilities from connected devices. Business owners can easily lockout features such as IR remote, power, channel, volume and input, preventing unwanted adjustments.
  • Large Screen, Slim Bezel – the 4TB Series is lightweight with a pleasing appearance. It also features powerful 10-watt audio with bottom-facing speakers.

The 4TB Series will be available soon.

Sharp has also launched a cleaning guide to help businesses control the spread of illnesses. The tips for cleaning Sharp electronic products are based on guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The tips include:

  1. Wear disposable gloves (latex or nitrile) when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
  2. Turn off the device and disconnect AC power
  3. Moisten a microfiber cloth with a mixture of 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol and 30 per cent water (do not spray).
  4. Begin with the display or MFP control panel and finish with any flexible cables.
  5. When cleaning a display screen or touchscreen panel, wipe in one direction.
  6. After disinfecting, copier/scanner glass should be cleaned again using an office glass cleaner.
  7. When finished, discard gloves and wash hands immediately for 20 seconds with soap and water.

Sharp Canada Unveils New Interactive Displays

Posted in Commentary with tags on October 3, 2019 by itnerd

Sharp Canada recently launched a lineup of large-format, interactive displays designed to give customers a collaboration solution for their business meeting needs as well as add functionality and versatility in the show-and-tell digital age.

PNL851_office_meeting_g961225978.jpg

The PNL851H, PNL751H and PNL651H AQUOS Board —available in 85″, 75″ and 65″ models—offers pristine 4K Ultra HD resolution. With a pre-installed system-on-a-chip controller and built-in whiteboard and wireless functionality, the displays are designed to be intuitive to use and always ready for a quick meeting. The embedded SoC gives the displays excellent reliability, convenience and power, while also reducing the cabling required, making it simple to display compelling content.

The displays’ 4K Ultra HD resolution allows meeting participants to see minute details, including small text, making them ideal in professional settings where precision is important, such as architectural or engineering firms.

The pre-installed controller lets users operate the whiteboard without connecting a dedicated PC. Once the main unit is powered on, the whiteboard launcher displays automatically. Sharp Display Connect wireless software allows the screen of any Windows PC or Android mobile devices to be projected wirelessly.

The touchscreen supports up-to 20 touch points at a time. Users can interact with the screen with a finger or the bundled touch pen, which gives a Pen-on-Paper® writing experience, making group collaborations more seamless and intuitive. The onscreen content can be shared simultaneously with up to 50 devices.

Users can deploy Sharp’s Touch Viewer application, running on an optional Windows PC, to display various file types including Microsoft Office applications, videos and web pages.

The PNL851H/751H/651H AQUOS Board is available immediately across Canada.