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    Tecra R840 vs Portege R830 v R835... all vs Lenovo X1

    Discussion in 'Toshiba' started by hoodle, Jun 15, 2011.

  1. hoodle

    hoodle Notebook Enthusiast

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    Can someone clarify the differences between these?

    Tecra - a bit more expensive, a tad heavier, 14 inch screen, more durable design, discrete graphics.

    Portege 830 - the "business" portege (vs 835). has expresscard, docking, 3 year warranty, windows 7 professional

    Portege 835- the "consumer" portege. does not have above specs but is cheaper. windows 7 home.

    Thoughts? Are the optical drives the same in all of these - ie, if someone manages to put a HDD caddy in the optical drive on one, it should work on the others?

    Now, can someone put in some interesting comparisons to Lenovo's X1?
     
    hoodle, Jun 15, 2011
    #1
  2. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    One of the issues with all these thin-and-light notebooks with normal CPUs is whether the cooling system can dispose of the heat quietly. My Toshiba R700 lets me know when it is under load and there has been much discussion about the cooling system in the R830. The bigger chassis of the R840 should provide space for a bigger fan but discrete graphics will also increase the potential heat for disposal (or throttling will occur under full load conditions). Reports on the X1 fan noise are mixed, perhaps because Lenovo use more than one source for components. if you are looking at the R840 then the Lenovo T420s is in the same weight and size range.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Jun 18, 2011
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  3. finduz

    finduz Notebook Enthusiast

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    There is one more difference between R830 and R835, the screen.
    R830 has a matte screen, the R835 is glossy.

    Very frustrating, as I want a matte screen. But I'm not paying almost double for
    Win7 Pro, expresscard and docking... (warranty is the same in Norway)

    As for the optical drive, there is a thread about HDD caddy in the R835 just below this one.
    Not sure if it fits in the R840, but I would believe the 13" is the same size.
     
    finduz, Jun 18, 2011
    #3
  4. alexUW

    alexUW Notebook Virtuoso

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    The Toshiba Tecra (r840) now offers the much desired 1600x900 screen upgrade for only $40!!! [still glossy screen though].

    Tecra is also supposed to be more durable than the Portege. I'm sure the Port/Tecra/Thinkpad have spill resistant keyboards.

    Good luck
     
    alexUW, Jun 18, 2011
    #4
  5. austinro30

    austinro30 Notebook Enthusiast

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    has anyone seen or tested the tecra r840? comments or user reviews - especially with new screen option.

    ...trying to decide between sa, tecra r840 or t420/420s
     
    austinro30, Jun 21, 2011
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  6. alexUW

    alexUW Notebook Virtuoso

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    Tecra reviews would/should be similar to Portege reviews; with the exceptions of superior hardware and durability.

    Tecras aren't widely know, so don't expect too many reviews.
     
    alexUW, Jun 21, 2011
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  7. requiem86

    requiem86 Notebook Evangelist

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    hows the screen quality on the Tecra R840 w/ 1600x900?
     
    requiem86, Jun 21, 2011
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  8. alexUW

    alexUW Notebook Virtuoso

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    I would expect similar to the Portege, except larger resolution [Most Toshibas use the same build screen]

    There are Porteges at Best Buy if you need to examine in person.
     
    alexUW, Jun 21, 2011
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  9. 1994F7PT

    1994F7PT Notebook Evangelist

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    the european spec tecra R840's only have same res screen as the portege r700/830 at 1366x768 but tis 14" rather than 13.3" and the laptop itself is half a kilo heavier than the portege series
     
    1994F7PT, Jun 22, 2011
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  10. kalibar

    kalibar Notebook Consultant

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    That's frustrating that the R840's 1600x900 screen is glossy. Not a decision I would have expected in a business notebook.

    The lack of backlit keyboard is also frustrating -- especially given that the 14-inch Latitude E6420 has one, and that Toshiba hasn't been afraid to offer backlit keyboards in the past.

    It blows my mind that backlit keyboards are still a sticking point. Just offer them on everything! They're super cheap, take up basically zero extra space, and the 5% of people on the planet who don't end up enjoying them can just toggle them off.
     
    kalibar, Jun 25, 2011
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  11. 1994F7PT

    1994F7PT Notebook Evangelist

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    i do agree, its a total mind boggle that backlit keyboards arent standard on all premium laptops and even lower spec models really
     
    1994F7PT, Jun 25, 2011
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  12. austinro30

    austinro30 Notebook Enthusiast

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    is there anyone that has seen the tecra r840 in person yet? i am hesitant to buy without seeing it.

    its between this and the sony sa..
     
    austinro30, Jun 29, 2011
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  13. alexUW

    alexUW Notebook Virtuoso

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    It looks like a Portege but bigger at 14". Go look at a Toshiba portege at Best Buy. Also has sturdier design than portege.

    A good upgrade on the tecra is the 1600x900 screen for $40.

    Good luck
     
    alexUW, Jun 29, 2011
    #13
  14. austinro30

    austinro30 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I went to BB yesterday (south Florida). they told me they don't carry it anymore.
     
    austinro30, Jun 29, 2011
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  15. alexUW

    alexUW Notebook Virtuoso

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    Oh... didn't know that.

    The Tecras and porteges are nothing like the Satellites, so can't look at those for comparison. Only thing I can think of is to call other big box electronic retailers in your area to see if they carry the portege (I say portege as that is the model they are more likely to carry).

    I can say the SONY-S is a good laptop, my mom has the Best Buy SONY-S and she loves it.

    Good luck
     
    alexUW, Jun 29, 2011
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  16. eq2

    eq2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Are you sure the 1600x900 screen on the Tecra 840 is glossy?
    According to this review the 1366 x 768 screen is matte.
     
    eq2, Jul 5, 2011
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  17. alexUW

    alexUW Notebook Virtuoso

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    alexUW, Jul 5, 2011
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  18. hwanikani

    hwanikani Notebook Enthusiast

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    Tecra R840 has a matte screen (both 1366, and 1600 resolutions).

    I am still waiting for Tecra R840's user reviews...

    I have to decide whether I buy new sony Z series or tecra R840 (obviously, tecra is much cheaper, but I wonder if new Z is worth the premium. Also, I don't need an ODD or discrete graphic card).
     
    hwanikani, Jul 5, 2011
    #18