New Portege Z830

Cool skin! More pics!

 

Your request ...... Done

 

i like the idea of the clear one on the touchpad and palm rest, where did you get the stuff from? and can i get a clear one for the top as well, the original one in the pack is a bit thick and cumbersome! ( don't want to be adding weight now do I!!! lol! )

 

GOOD, do you have template for the cover?

 

I buy from Garskin, hopefully they can international shipping. The transparent/clear they call it Glaze.

Sorry, I don't DIY. I buy from Garskin, they not yet mass product skin for Z830 but they receive customize order so they ask me to bring my Z830 to their store for measurement process and comeback 2 days later for installation.

 

UPDATE for those that might be interested...

It turns out the 15" Samsung Series 9 DOES have dedicated Home and End keys! Check it out here.

 

FYI, can't remember who it was that was commenting on the laptop being wobbly on a flat surface- but I noticed this with my replacement Z835. Turns out the center rubber foot (covering the security torx screw) was lifting up the laptop slightly. I had to remove that foot anyways to get into the laptop, and after that, it no longer wobbles.

 

I am also interested in knowing this. I've read all the posts and 6GB max seems to be mentioned, but that could be reciting what is mentioned from Toshiba or people not knowing that a single 8GB SODIMM stick of ram exists.

So, has anyone tried to stick an 8GB ram into the z830?

 

I cant decide between ux31 and z830. I tested z830-m110 in three stores and couldn't hear fan noise despite keeping next to my ear, staff was like what am I doing The machine is sexy, but now 2nd gen series 9 is announced and Acer S5 ,arrgh lol. Z830 is 1100$ and that's lots of $$ and I'm afraid may be z830 will be outdated soon as S5 is world's thinnest now. Zenbook has higher resolution screen, but it's bigger and thicker. I like quiet laptops, especially when I m shelling out 1100$. Does the fan noise on z830 decreases if u have keybroard protector on? The noise decreased considerably on my S3 by silicon keyboard protector, but the s3's keyboard is the vent and the guide had warning not to cover it. I m glad I sold my slow S3 [boot time above 75 seconds] today.God, so many buts in my post. Can I ever find a close to perfect laptop with no showstoppers!! 40+ pages for ux31 I'll buy z830 in a heartbeat if it was less then 900$, but here only one configuration available for 1100$ and glossy screen.

 

Discovered a new problem with the Z830 that I havn't seen mentioned in this thread... THE KEYBOARD! Well, mostly the screen also.

When I close the lid, the keyboard imprints on the screen.

This to me is a major deal breaker. I can handle the drops of liquid on my screen, those rare sneezes that I forget to cover, and the dust and fingerprint.

 

I don't notice that on mine.

Do you keep your Z in a case that would press down on the lid when closed?

The keys are in a depressed area and the screen is also depressed below the bezel so it would seem that contact would be minimal.

 

To my way of thinking, just about any laptop will exhibit *some* degree of key-imprinting on the screen. For me, the degree to which my z830 marks the screen is so minimal, it's easily brushed away with a camel's hair photographer's airbrush. I use it about once every 3 or 4 weeks.
Besides, in my home office and my work office, where a large percentage of my work is done anyway, I connect to a larger (23 or 24-inch high res) monitor anyway. So for me, it's not an issue.

Doug

 

As mentioned earlier its impossible for keys to imprint because the elevation of the keys is lower then the body of the laptop, so there is a distance between the keys and the screen when you close it. Unless you got a defective casing or maybe press on it I don't see this happening normally :/

 

as above, mines has no such flaw, its fine. the case i have also included a soft cloth to place on the board to stop it happening if the lid gets pressure during transporting the laptop about in its bag.

 

This is not uncommon with newer laptops, especially when you carry the notebook compressed in a tight space, like a backpack, sandwiched between books and other items. I have the same issue with my Z835. In fact, I had the same problem with my Sony SZ160 purchased back in March 2006.

Truth be told, Sony SZ owners on this very same website, Laptop Forums, were helpful in suggesting a solution from the Mac world: ShaggyMac® laptop screen protector. This is a microfiber cloth that you place between the keyboard and screen when you close the lid. It works brilliantly to prevent any impressions on the Z835 screen. Knowing that I was likely to face the same issue with the ultrathin Z835 as I had with the SZ160, I actually purchased my newest ShaggyMac in advance of buying my Z835!

 

Yeah, I carry my z830 in a sleeve. However, I also carry it in a backpack.
I guess I'm not the only one then ... Now where to get a microfiber cloth that large without using the ones for waxing my car.

 

Didn't the laptop come with a keyboard protector cloth? its not microfiber but it should do the job :/

 

I've been reading the Asus UX31 thread and it seems they have tons of issues with Asus support.

How is Toshiba support?

I've had my own issues with Asus support for my Transformer (3 day delay before they got back to me regarding my problem) but have never had a Toshiba product before the Z835.

 

First, Toshiba Support is entirely phone based [this is a turn off for some, doesn't bother me]. No forum, no email [although they will send emails of their correspondence].

Second, like other tech support departments with other manufacturers, Toshiba CS has a tier system; with the lower tiers being not very knowledgeable and basically following a script before escalating a problem to a high tier.
For example: Calling CS with general questions about a specific model may not yield accurate answers.



I've personally dealt with Toshiba CS, and it's not as bad as people claim. I was professional and friendly, and I was returned with professionalism and prompt service. I also have Onsite repair, so I get expedited service. [ASUS only offers depot service, you must send the laptop into their repair facility].

I have also read many reviews on this forum and others where people will become rude and belligerent because they are frustrated from having issues with their product. I'm not saying it's wise for Toshiba to return this attitude to the customer, but to no surprise they can and will probably do this.

It should also be noted that the depot repairs are conducted by Service.NET, I think they are affiliated with UPS [yes the delivery company]. Toshiba is not the only name that uses them, I think Lenovo, HP and Newegg use them. I do believe the Customer Support and the Repair Depots operate as separate entities: CS = Toshiba, Depot Repair = Service.NET. https://www.servicenet.com/

Also, if you have OnSite repairs, it is NOT conducted by Service.NET, but instead conducted by a local, but big name reapir service. When I had an Onsite repair, it was conducted by Nexicore: http://www.nexicore.com/


I still believe Dell has the best customer CS, although I'm not as confident with their consumer products.

Hopefully this answers some of your questions. Good luck

 

The Z835 is my first Toshiba product too. I've only used Toshiba support once--to assist me in getting my Netgear WiDi (Wireless Direct) adapter working with my Z835 and Vizio HDTV--they were very helpful.

 

@alexUW:

Thanks for the synopsis.

I'm familiar with Dell as those were the notebooks I used to buy (always offshore support but at least the tech would come onsite). Now I have a Sony and a Toshiba and luckily I haven't had to call support yet.

I think the difference between then and now is that notebooks from Dell used to cost $1500+, now my notebooks cost < $1000 so I'll probably be less inclined to keep them longer (I used to be a stickler about 3-year warranty... only have 1-year warranty on these).

I do wish Tosh had email or online chat support... it's easier to do that while you're working rather than staying on hold forever.

 

i have no idea how toshiba support are....................and i've had toshiba laptops for a year now.........so thats a good thing

but also i had a fujitsu for 3 years before that and never had a reason to ring support for them either!

so far been blessed.................awaits z830 to keel over

 

Engadget has a nice round up of the ultrabooks previewed at CES. I don't really see anything that bests the Z835 when the entire package of weight, thinness, ports and price are all taken together (especially in threw 13" class.). The underpowered i3 has not really been a problem for me yet, and while the design is certainly not perfect, the issues are minor in my opinion. So it looks like ill be keeping this baby!

 

I agree with you. While I would have liked to wait for a ivy bridge I am very happy with my i3 z830. My only issue is the slightly buzzy fan. Otherwise I will be using this one as my on the road machine for awhile.

 

Toshiba Story Of The Day.....

Some may or may not know this but I am a website owner who uses this Z830 extensively on a daily basis. I have spent the past week plus in Las Vegas taking part in Storage Visions, CES and several meetings and social occasions.

The Z830 is integral and I have compiled several articles, to include editing and posting several others from those here with me.

Of particular interest......

Yesterday we elected to take a last look around and found ourselves at the Toshiba Display looking at the Z series Ultra. I started speaking with a Spanish gentleman and he asked me what I thought. So I told him...just as I stated above.

He made the mistake of then asking me where my laptop bag was. I had my padfolio in my hand and explained that the fact that my Z830 fits in the padfolio is key to me. He asked me to show him and subsequently opened up the padfolio.

He then asked if he could take a few pictures to which I complied. I asked him about his interest specifically and he stated that he had travelled from Spain and, in fact, was considering migrating his employees to a power ultra for their needs. He then asked me for my card (which I should have already gave him) and asked if I minded if he gave me a call later if he had any more questions...

I might as well get a job with Toshiba....I know.... still got to say that the Series 9 is gorgeous though in its new design!

 

Hey, seems like most owners are content with their z830. I'm still deciding, I watched this review video of z830 and in the last bit he talks about his gripes,mostly the fan noise, I'm disappointed the noise is irritating and putting me off from buying this otherwise amazing machine. As we know this buzzing/hum noise is coming out of keyboard, has anyone tried covering keyboard with silicon or any other protector?

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgkdAJivz0M&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

Noise total non-issue IMHO. I still wonder if it has to do with the processor chosen as mine is the i7 and may not have to work as hard. The only time I ever hear it is while working in bed first thing in the am (ie still here in Vegas now) when all is super quiet...not a good visual I am sure but thats the only time I here it.

 

The video link above is also i7 model, I don't mind air noise , the buzzing sound is due to cheap fan. I wonder if fan can be swapped.

 

i would doubt that the fan could be swapped... seems to be very custom.
As I mention in a previous post, the noise seems to be very positional. If the keyboard is directed right towards your face, then its a lot more evident than if the keyboard is pointing upwards with you a few inches back from the touchpad. Of course, unless its completely quiet, you won't be able to hear it at all.

While I haven't tried it myself, I would imagine that a film over the keyboard could potentially muffle the sound a bit.

 

I must be fortunate somehow because there is no way to hear it from the keyboard and you still have to strain to her it anywhere else and I believed that the noise in the viseo is simply the result of putting the recording device right on top of the air vent by the fan.

 

Like I said in a previous post I had both and i5 and now the i3 version. The i5 version had exactly the same fan but other than the air moving noise it wasn't buzzing like the i3 one that I got as a replacement. I tested them both side by side and the difference in noise was evident.

That being said the sound is not that bad. I can only hear mine when there is no other background noise and even then it is not bad. I just know how quiet it can be from the comparison so I am just being picky. For me it isn't a big deal though and the only issue with an otherwise solid system.

 

Another post reviewing some laptops from CES and the Z830...
Samsung Toshiba LG Ultrabook Shootout - CES 2012 Post Update - The SSD Review

 

that new series 9 looks a right bit of kit, trade up incoming?!

 

I was hoping someone would show a Full HD 1080p ultrabook at CES... considering there are 10"+ tablets with that resolution coming out.

 

It does, doesn't it?

 

Hello all!

Fan noise. It's very awful!

I bought z835 in bestbuy. When I turned on notebook firstly, I was surprised. The noise is very loud and it doesn't depend what you do. Now I'm installing debian and I still hear loud fan noise.

Anybody can help me? I have read this topic but no result:
Toshiba Support Forums: Loud Fan noise on Satellite Z830-10J ...

Did you update your bios? Have you solved fan noise problem with it?

Thanks.

 

I'm not sold on the new S9.

1. It's still too expensive.
2. Sammy isn't actually touting it as an ultrabook (they are saying the Series 5 is)
3. Still has lack of ports (doesn't it only have 2 USB ports?)

When I first got my MBA over a year ago, I thought 2 USB ports was fine... seems like having a 3rd is very useful for that odd plug in... although now that I have a wireless printer... 2 seems to be sufficient.

 

The Series 5 is not being touted as an Ultrabook. 'Ultra' is part of the name. It is too heavy to be an ultrabook.

As for lack of ports, nothing will touch the Toshiba but it was good to see Samsung get rid of the drop down ports. Price is MSRP and lower than the prior so. I hate to say it but for those who want the best look and feel, Samsung is the winner whereas when someone wants the best all around configuration possible, Toshiba trumps

 

I think the new S9 still doesn't have dedicated Pg/Home/End keys which is a big plus for me (Lenovo might be the only other one to do that).

Part of the "ultrabook initiative" is the $1000 price point... many of the manufacturers aren't doing that well in that regard. It doesn't seem like there was anything groundbreaking at CES.

 

The 15" S9 does have dedicated Pg/Home/End keys... and it's only slightly larger than the 13" Macbook Air:

 

thats a very close comparison to the air, its a hairs bredth! very impressive for a 15" screen!!guess the screen is nearly bezeless?? however isn't it considerably heavier?

 

It's not confirmed, but according to the Samsung rep in the video it's 3.3 lbs. Very impressive for a 15" laptop. Heck, that's impressive for a lot of 13" laptops!

 

Yes....it is 3.3lbs confirmed.... 7 hrs battery life as well...

 

sounds heavy to me!lol! my R700 is 3.1lb and the tosh is 2.38lb, so nearly a full lb lighter. okay those two are both 13.3" but i reckon the 15" sammy would be too heavy compared for me, thats why i love the tosh, only reason i'd want the 15" sammy over the 13" is for the dedicated nav keys............but the tosh has them already at alot less weight!

 

Again, too bad they didn't put Full HD into the 15" S9. Even the MBP 15" does 1650x1080.

 

1650x1080 is pretty nice. I have that on an old Dell 6000. But I have found 1600x900 to be very comfortable on a 15 or 16" laptop.

 

Did I miss something here? 3.3lb - 3.1lb = 0.2lb (thats point two) lighter for the 15" Sammy

 

How quickly we get spoiled. A 15" laptop with 1600x900 resolution that's only slightly larger than a 13" Macbook Air and weighs just 3.3 lbs is simply amazing -- plain and simple.

 

It's not spoiled if you've been waiting for this to happen for years.

 

I know what you mean -- but you've gotta admit, it's pretty amazing.