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Toshiba Portégé R500 gets another wireless option

There is a steady stream of new, Windows-based, ultra-portable notebooks making the rounds these days. Fujitsu launched its 2.2 pound LifeBook P1620 on Friday and Lenovo's 13.3", 2.5 pound X300 was also leaked to the web.

Toshiba is now throwing its weight behind the idea of lightweight notebooks with a 3G update to its Portégé R500 notebook. Toshiba also claims that its R500 is the thinnest and lightest notebook on the market: it is just 25.5mm thick and weighs only 1.7 pounds.

The addition of HSDPA support makes the R500 a worthwhile companion to any mobile warrior. The notebook is available in two versions: The R500-11J and the R500-11I.

Both notebooks feature a 1.2Ghz Intel ULV Core 2 Duo U7600 processor, Intel 945GMS Express chipset, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, 12.1" (1280x800) LED-backlit display, 2GB of DDR2 memory, GbE, 802.11a/g/n, and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.

The two differ in storage options and weight. The 1.7 pound R500-11J comes equipped with a 64GB solid-state disk (SSD) and no optical drive. The 2.2 pound R500-11I uses a traditional 120GB, 5400 RPM HDD and an ultra-slim Super-Multi DVD burner.

Those willing to take a look at the Portégé R500 Series will have to fork over some big bucks if they decide to take the plunge. The R500-11I will retail for an estimated $3,000 USD. Stepping up to the R500-11J with the 64GB SSD will boost the price to $3,658 USD.

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Aren't there slimmer notebooks out on the market?
By Goty on 1/21/08, Rating: 0
By lukesi on 1/21/2008 6:52:35 PM , Rating: 4
Too bad the MacBook Air doesn't have built in ethernet. Once again Apple has alienated themselves from the enterprise market.


By mooncancook on 1/21/2008 11:47:22 PM , Rating: 2
Not having ethernet kills the deal for me too. I found that a lot of cheaper hotels in Japan only offer ethernet connections


By nofumble62 on 1/22/2008 12:29:44 AM , Rating: 5
How many people who can afford a Mac Air would sleep on cheap bed?


By xphile on 1/22/2008 3:49:49 AM , Rating: 2
All the people that spend their life savings buying one when they were previously being restrained and just spending their mortgage payments on AT&T iPhone contracts.

Oh nobody is that stupid you say - yeah right.


By Bigjee on 1/22/2008 5:43:51 AM , Rating: 1
quote:
How many people who can afford a Mac Air would sleep on cheap bed?


A lot more than those that can afford this laptop thats for sure.

At $3000 the R500 is nearly twice as expensive and not as good looking and does not outperform the MB Air with SSD which is still cheaper than the R500J. Sorry but as far as performance and functionality goes the Air at $1799 is a much better buy. Just my 2 cents.


By Basilisk on 1/22/2008 10:03:57 AM , Rating: 3
quote:
At $3000 the R500 is nearly twice as expensive and not as good looking and does not outperform the MB Air with SSD

Your phrasing seems a bit odd, but perhaps you do understand the pricing: the MacBook Air with SSD is $3100; with Snail Drive (1.8" 4200RPM) it's $1800.

These prices are not in my near-term future, alas. While the Apple's a Thing of Beauty [TOB], I'd choose a Plain Jane any day if it provided more conventional options: multiple USB ports, replaceable batteries; and hopefully faster drive options.

I haven't seen any evidence that Air's will use an Mtron SSD, so your write speed's likely to be slow whether you use the SSD or HD -- but who uses a TOB for productive, data-producing work?! :)

For some of us, the TOB's weight & sleekness would evaporate instantly as we'd have to haul around a USB ports box, its plug-in power-supply, and an Ethernet dongle.

Fortunately, it seems plausible that SSD drives will plummet in price and will have replaced HD's on most laptops in several years.


By glennpratt on 1/22/2008 1:13:37 AM , Rating: 2
Hell, alot of Marriotts only offer ethernet, unless you close enough to the lobby to pickup WiFI. You could put a USB Ethernet adapter in your luggage I suppose.


By StevoLincolnite on 1/22/2008 9:26:30 AM , Rating: 2
Well there is plenty of options for Ethernet and Dial-Crap connections. (Yes people still use those...)
You have the USB modems and Ethernet options.
PCMCIA... And even Cardbus.
Or, You can link upto a Wireless router which has Ethernet also, So options aren't really limited, but it is a pain not having it built-in.


RE: Aren't there slimmer notebooks out on the market?
By honeg on 1/22/2008 2:29:21 PM , Rating: 2
You do know there is a $30 dongle for wired ethernet, right?


By lemonadesoda on 1/22/2008 5:39:29 PM , Rating: 2
So an ethernet USB dongle, plus try to use your keystick or mouse, and you need a USB hub as well.

So a nice super thin Air PLUS A RUCKSACK OF ACCESSORIES!

There was a real design shortfall on the spec. There really should we a wired LAN port AND 2 USB ports. Then we would ALL be happy.

Yes, it is possible to get around the problem, but that's very Heath Robinson and defeats the whole purpose of Apple's stylish all-in-one devices.


By SiliconAddict on 1/21/2008 7:08:18 PM , Rating: 3
Don't you mean shit?


Really sweet notebook...
By retrospooty on 1/21/2008 6:12:47 PM , Rating: 5
Until I saw the price tag. Bah.




RE: Really sweet notebook...
By metaltoiletry on 1/21/2008 6:16:10 PM , Rating: 2
I know, it is unfortunate.


RE: Really sweet notebook...
By mmntech on 1/21/2008 8:10:58 PM , Rating: 1
The cheaper one is the better value with it's 120gb drive and DVD burner. Still, $3000 for a 1.2ghz processor and integrated graphics. I'll pass. The Air is a considerably better value given it's similar tech specs. Laptops 1/3 of the price that weigh in at just 5lbs will outperform it in every aspect. If you can't carry 5lbs, you need to get to the gym. lol.

I don't think the world is ready for solid state drives, considering most of us have gotten used to paying for cheap (relatively) components. I wonder how many people are really willing to pay over $1000 for a 64gb drive. Sure you get near instant seek times but the raw transfer rates really aren't any better.


RE: Really sweet notebook...
By InternetGeek on 1/21/2008 8:48:03 PM , Rating: 2
Amen. I'm putting SSDs in my list until they are in competitive prices with HDDs regardless of technology advances and performance gains, which I don't deny are many and quite attractive. I'm looking for value under my budget.


RE: Really sweet notebook...
By InternetGeek on 1/21/2008 8:50:25 PM , Rating: 2
Just to add to my prior comment.

Makers should keep in mind that for most of their market Question #1 when buying a new PC is "What's the budget?".


By AlexandertheBlue on 1/21/2008 11:39:31 PM , Rating: 2
I remember paying around a thousand dollars for an 18 gig cheetah in 2000. I miss that drive. (power supply shorted out, took out the drive and my 9700 pro about 2 years ago)


Not the most modern specifications ...
By psychobriggsy on 1/21/2008 7:55:16 PM , Rating: 2
What is with the ancient chipset? I guess it is to save battery life because it's so light it must have a 3 cell battery or something.

I think this is a prime example of the MacBook Air being a bargain at under $2000 (inc. Superdrive and Ethernet dongle). It is a lot thinner too, although the Toshiba's weight is pretty amazing. The 3G thing is cool too - Apple should have made room for a ExpressCard/34 port for these things to be added. Instead you'll have a bag of dongles and adaptors. Oh well, maybe next time they'll get it right.




By lemonadesoda on 1/22/2008 5:44:25 PM , Rating: 2
All these dongles remind me of the "PC guy" that the Apple ads try to denigrate. Ironic really.


Biggy woop