New Portege Z830

ai that does annoy me slightly too! no idea how to fix it tho

 

Just got this laptop last week. It's almost perfect except for the fan noise and glossy screen. I didn't read far enough to find out that some models have glossy display before picking this up. The fan noise can be annoying. It's not how loud but the type of sound. Almost like a broken fan. I think the resolution for this size of screen is fine. Wouldn't be able read text if the res was 1080p like some are asking for here. I might just purchase the matte replacement screen if I can't get use to the screen.

 

Make sure you have the latest BIOS. There was an update to address the fan noise.

Click the "product support" button in the top left and enter the corresponding info. Toshiba Support - Homepage

 

The BIOS update has fixed the fan noise for me, but when the fan goes on, it gets really LOUD. This is just my experience, so YMMV. I usually use my laptop on my bed so that might affect it, but it also happens when I'm on a table.

BTW I'm running on the BIOS that was released early this year, I think February or March.

 

Same here .. I find it very odd to overlook that.
I also believe that a BIOS update can fix it .. Can't wait for that fix

 

Sigh. My hard drive filled up over the weekend. I've moved about 10 gig of pictures to an SD card that I keep in the SD slot anyway.

But now -- I have to face the music and get one of these larger SD drives. I don't think buying the drive will be the tough part. The part I dread is having to re-create the z830 experience on a new drive. But maybe I'm dreading it more than I have to. Maybe if I use simple principles, I'll be able to rebuild the new drive to behave like the old one. Gulp.

Here's the process I've used in the past:
12) The BackPage: Flipping a Hard Drive Nearly Flipped Me Out
If someone gets a chance to check my work, can anyone improve on that approach?

Thanks for any help you can give.
Doug

PS. By the way, I still LOVE my z830 experience. This past week, while staying with a family in L.A., the host said, "Whoa -- that must be a brand new computer. It's so thin and light!"

 

@z830guy: or you can ask yourself, what do I *really* need directly accessible straight from my laptop every single day of my life? The answer is probably not "4800 photos". If that's the case, get a few external harddrives. Make them USB 3.0 if speed is a concern of yours. Save yourself the trouble of redoing your entire operating system!

 

The bios update did help a bit. As other have stated, it doesn't come on as often. But still annoying when it gets going.

 

Thanks Makryger. The 4800 photos were definitely the first thing to go. That bought me some more time. Alas, I have only 9 gig left AFTER cleansing the drive of all those photos.

 

Hi,

I see that many are annoyed by the missing volume indicator. I'm using Volumouse for that....

You can even assign the same Hotkey as used by the Z830, so no need to remember new key combinations. On my desktop computer I have it configured to change the volume by scrolling the mouse wheel over the taskbar. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to work with the pad....

See this screenshot:

 

Great tip! +rep

 

Is there a thread for the Z930 ivy bridge refresh? The preorders have started, but still a 720p screen

Toshiba Portégé Z930 - 13.3" - Core i7 3667U - Windows 7 Professional (32/6 - PT235U-017002 - Notebook Computers - CDW.com

 

Nice find... not even on Toshiba's site and no mention of it on the tech blogs. Still 720p is a bummer.

 

Hopefully they fixed the fan and put in a decent SSD at least. Still, a 900p screen would've made this a very attractive notebook. How hard would it be to have the option, panels are easily modular. Argh, can someone get the ultrabook right?

 

Asus did. The new ASUS Zenbook has been refreshed with ISP screens at 1080p.
They even have a model with a 620M GPU if you want.

 

But ASUS's is heavy and not enough ports. Looks nice though.

The Z930 is basically an Ivy Bridge refresh. Looks to be the exact same notebook with a slightly better CPU.

 

I would wait until the z930 launches to see the fullspecs; the above link is the only source I see of the z930 thus far.

 

It is rather disappointing. I think it's time I give a Mac a try...

 

No specs yet, but this link shows that it has Windows 7 and 8 drivers available.

Model Content Page

 

Toshiba Z930 Specs and Hands-On Video « Ultrabook News and the Ultrabook Database

More details. It's pretty much the Z830 with IVB inside it seems.

Not much new. Still the lightest 13 inch ultrabook outside of Japan, lots of ports, real mouse buttons, and design that would look so much better if they offered it in black.

EDIT:
Chippy says in the comments that the Z930 will
-have a 1600x900 screen option
-stiffer screen support

The techfokus.de link mentions that it will support 8GB of RAM, so I'm guessing the onboard module is now 4GB.

 

also mention of a faster 256GB SSD.........perhaps if these make it to the production model.......i still wont get one i'll just slap a bigger SSD in my 830 and live with the slightly inferior screen!lol!

unless they roll it out with an IPS panel, that would really help

 

Too bad the 930 doesn't have a higher res screen.

Both Acer and Asus are releasing full HD models (with touchscreens).

I like the keyboard and non-dongled ports of the Tosh... but I also need the Pixel Density... I use the Tosh hooked up to an external monitor at work but when I use it at home... the 1366x768 is so limiting.

 

i dont really find it too bad, but more pixels would be nice and its kinda the whole point of 'progress' new model has to be significantly better than old to temp me back so soon

 

Hi.

Is there any software like on the Samsung`s and Sony`s that stops the battery charging at 80% as this will make the battery live longer.

Also does anybody have any idea how much a replacement battery will cost, i am thinking about future replacement cost.

Thanks

John.

 

The 835 that I have has software from Toshiba that already does this, it's called Battery Manager:

All Programs > Toshiba > Tools & Utilities > Battery Manager

Two choices: eco or normal... eco does the 80% thing.

 

Excellent Thankyou +REP

John

 

How did you set it up? I downloaded it but I don't see an option for the "Fn" key. It's a little confusing

 

toshibadirect.com Z930 configurator: Portege Z930-BT9300

+ 256 GB SSD option
+ 8 GB RAM option, i.e. 4 GB on-board (for i7 only)
- no higher resolution display option
- no IPS display option

 

I wonder if I can take an Acer or Asus 13" 1080p screen and put it in the Toshiba.

I like everything about the Z835 except the low rez screen (and mine has a stuck pixel on it anyways).

 

Under "hotkey" you press the corresponding FN key combos...In my config window under "increase" it then shows a "B" and under decrease "C", but it works perfectly....

 

Thanks!! That worked perfectly!

 

The z835 is on sale at Best Buy again for $699.

 

Thanks for the tip!
My little sister just picked one up for her freshman year of college; plus received a free xbox due to the Microsoft promotion which she is going to sell to recoop $150. Overall, grabbing a z835 for around $600 is a steal!

 

does anyone know if the new z930 in Canada has a full backlit keyboard instead of some of the keys not being backlit like on the z830.

 

Can anyone share in a short paragraph why the processor in the 930 might be worth the upgrade -- or not?

Also, I wonder if the drive they're packaging with it (the 256 Gig one) would be a possible upgrade path for my z830 drive?

 

Thanks for this tip, UPieper. I have it installed and the hot keys configured, but my "bar graph" is tiny. Did you do something to change to the cool green bar graph in your screen shot.

 

In terms of less power consumption, better battery life and better integrated graphics, the Intel Ivy Bridge [3rd gen i-core], are about 30% better than the Sandy Bridge CPUs [Ivy bridge has a smaller die of 22 nm; Sandy Bridge is 32 nm].
In terms of raw CPU power, the Ivy Bridge is only slightly better [if that]. Thus, the overall consensus is: if you already own a Sandy Bridge CPU [which you do], then it's not worth it since the CPU computational capabilities are about the same [see graphs below].


CPU increases



Graphics increases.


http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Benchmarks-Intel-Ivy-Bridge-CPU-sandy-bridge,14144.html
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2405317,00.asp



As for the 256GB mSATA drive, you should be able to buy it independently from a retailer [newegg, etc..] and just pop it in your system. However, be prepared to pay a lot, mSATA is not cheap.


Good luck

 

Xbox promotion going on at Best Buy?

 

Yup. Just need to sign up for the coupon @ Bestbuy.com - Student Deals, and bring your student ID or acceptance letter.

 

Has anybody contacted Toshiba about replacing the KB regarding the space bar? The space bar doesn't always register unless put decent pressure. I don't press hard on the keys like most proficient typist. Might to good if they swapped it out for a US one instead of the french Canadian with some keys that are not back lit.

 

Indicator options = On screen display

 

Thanks. I'll try to locate the drive. And pass on the upgraded CPU.

 

UPieper, has your version of Volumouse been stable? I can't seem to keep my install stable. At the end of the day, it just fails.

 

how come no news on the z935? wasn't it supposed to be out already?

 

I'm visiting Toshiba Europe tomorrow.
Got specific questions about the Z935? It's one of the devices i'm looking at tomorrow. (Z930 EU version)

Also checking out U840 and U840W. Will report on Ultrabooknews in the (EU) afternoon.

Chippy

 

Does anyone know whether the on board memory on the 930 is 1.5v or 1.35v?

 

Interesting that some of the reviewers are reporting the availability of "up to 12 gig or RAM" and a hard drive up to half a gig.

Toshiba Portégé Z930 ultrabook hands-on - SlashGear

 

I saw the z930 at best buy and it seems to be the same design as the z830.

 

Hi All,

Just to let everyone know that my Z830 has just received a 8Gb ram upgrade, taking it to 12Gb. Officially it does support 12Gb....

Soon to get a SATA 3 256Gb SSD upgrade aswell, hopefully taking use of the "hidden2 SATA 3 port.... anyone confirms SATA 3 port working?

Regards,

Harry

 

Update/Request: Can someone else put the links in a reply post if they find them over at UBN. The mod removed them because i'm bot allowed to link to my own work.

IN terms of battery life improvements - barely noticable for mainstream apps mainly because the base clock is increased
Processing Power - None
Media/GPU power - Significant improvements that can help with speed, efficiency is some media apps and in all games.
I've upgraded my Z830 with a MyDigitalSSD - *link removed by mod*

In addition, the upgrade brings slightly better Wi-Di capability, brighter backlight.

I've also asked about three screen support and SATA III support.

*link removed by mod*

Regards
Chippy.

Some news for the EU market on the Z930.
*link removed by mod*
Clearly the Z935 will be ready for production line too. Expected (IMO) end of July in bulk.

Chippy.