Toshiba Portege Z930 / Z935 Owners Thread

I just purchased a Toshiba Portege Z935-P300 Bestbuy model.
So happy with it, I decided to start an owners thread.

Pros:
the lightest 13.3" laptop
its only $899 (at least for my bestbuy model).
backlit keyboard
real mousepad
hibernate USB charge mode
sata III WEI 7.9 SSD
little bloatware

Cons:
display could be brighter / wider viewing angle
spacebar issues? (not for me yet)
non flashy design

I considered the new Samsung Series 9 13.3" ivy bridge which is thinner and flashier. I chose the Z935 for cost, weight, battery.

Current reviews:
Review Update Toshiba Satellite Z930-119 Ultrabook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews
Toshiba Portege Z930 review - Laptop - Trusted Reviews
http://www.zdnet.com/toshiba-portégé-z930-10q-ultrabook-review-7000003675/
Toshiba Satellite Z930 review | Laptops and netbooks Reviews | TechRadar
Toshiba Satellite Z930 review | Expert Reviews

 

Good stuff!
I was very impressed with the z835 [sister owns one], and it sounds like the z935 is even better!


Keep us posted with any updates

 

My mom just bought the same Best Buy model. I usually order stuff from amazon, but that laptop was such an incredible deal.

I did a clean install of Win 8 RTM for her, and the thing just flies! (It was amazingly fast even with 7 on it, but I hate buying a computer and seeing 80 programs on the programs list).

I'm very impressed with this laptop. I might have to buy one for myself. The only worry I have is that the thing is so incredibly thin and light that I hope the screen doesn't break from something hitting it.

 

I had one a few weeks ago, returned it. The space bar was unusable. But I liked EVERYTHING else about it. FAST as hell. So I came here specifically to ask if every Z935 has a flakey space bar, or if its hit and miss? The Best Buy demo i just tried at the store seemed to have a good space bar. But the one i owned wouldnt register every other time.

it's between this and the asus 13" zenbook i just tried at best buy. but no way i can get over the touchpad buttons on the asus. they are so rickety and clunky.. i'd take a iffy space bar over that..

and don't say get an apple air.. thats what i returned tonight.. i want windows.

(To reproduce the space bar issue... its when im typeing with 8 fingers across the keys. and either thumb tip just reaches down to tap the spacebar. thats when it doesnt work maybe 1 out of 3 times. If yours works, you got a good one.)

 

^^^^
Could have been a dodgy keyboard. The z835 I used [briefly] had a pretty good keyboard, didn't have any issues when I used it to type on.

 

No problems here with the space key.
The bestbuy 30 day guarantee is reassuring in case it did.
The asus zenbook is much heavier and was not in my consideration.
If Bestbuy carried the Samsung, it would have been a tougher decision, but they only had the MBA and the zenbook.

 

ha... havent been here in a while. i bought another Z935 a day or two after my last post. no space bar issues yet on this one. already bumped it to 10GB ram and it was fast enough to begin with. loving it. as long as my space bar doesnt wear out...

my return window is 60 days too..

 

Bestbuy model on sale this week for 849
Price match was painless for me.

 

GOOD FIND. I'll go do that myself too..

*back with $55 in my pocket.*

 

Thank you for starting the thread. Just took delivery of the Z930 with a i7 and really love the weight. Unfortunately the space bar is driving me nuts. After some testing, it seems like it happens when I hit at the ends of the bar but works OK at the middle. Do others have the same problem, otherwise I will have to return mine for a change. The other thing is that my Z930 does not seem to have the backlit keyboard feature. Could it be faulty or it is a feature that I have to purchase? Appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

 

you are right. its only if you press it on the edges when the issue can arise. But I'll also say, my first Z935 had this issue, my second Z935 does not have it at all. I got lucky.

 

Mine does not have a keyboard or back light problem at all. Back light is standard even on the entry level p300 version I have.
I think you have a defective unit.

 

Another review which pretty much echos my feelings. Its a pretty good value ultra book even at msrp.
Toshiba Portege Z935-P300 Review - Watch CNET's Video & Read Our Review

Also, buy.com has it on sale for 799 no tax, free shipping

 

I wonder how much I can sell my Z830 P330 so I can have more cash towards a Z930

 

Buy.com just lowered their price again to $749. Makes me sad that I bought mine from Best Buy. The price I pay for brick and mortar shopping.

 

Hi all,
how long the battery life last?

Reviewers say something greater than 7 hours, and you as an owner what's your experience?

 

My girlfriend really liked her z935 (the spacebar was a little flaky, but not too bad). Then the screen cracked. We couldn't figure out what happened--she put the laptop down, came back, picked it back up, opened the laptop,and the screen was broken.

Then we looked around and found _lots_ of reports of this happening to other people. Then we checked the design of the laptop and noticed that the crack matched the corner where the palm rest dipped down to the keyboard basin. And dealing with Toshiba's warranty service so far has been an nightmare.

So for anyone who has one of these laptops: I strongly recommend that you get some kind of padding to put between the screen and keyboard/palm rest when you close the laptop to prevent the sharp corner from damaging the screen.

For anyone who doesn't own one of these laptops but is considering getting a Z930/935: don't.

 

I just picked up a Satellie Z930 from Future Shop here in Canada, specifically model PT23LC-009001, which seems like it might be a Future Shop-only model since I can't find this particular one even on Toshiba's website. Has the i7-3667U CPU, 6 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, on Windows 7 and got it on sale/clearance for $699, which I was super pumped about. Checking on their website they have removed this particular model and replaced it with what is probably a very slightly different Z930 model (but still having all the same specs that I can see) for $1549.

I had been researching pretty heavily for a bit and this particular laptop didn't come on my radar until just recently. Our primary use is just web browsing, Office, the odd video, no gaming to speak of, and having something easy to move around the house and take to school. I'm a bit out of the loop on newer computing technology, having been using my old ThinkPad T40 for the past half dozen or so years, so all of the choices and models were a bit overwhelming. I started out considering some of the more economy-type laptops like the Asus R Series, HP Pavilion G6, Samsung NP's, etc, then got turned onto the idea of ultrabooks like Asus S Series, HP Envy, Samsung Series 5, etc. being lighter and using small SSD's to improve startup times.

The allure of the fast loading times of the SSD drew me further towards products like Asus Zenbook and the Sony VAIO T Series (which I was close to purchasing if it wasn't for the fan issues most owners on here compain about). This particular model I stumbled on, read a lot of good reviews, and when I saw it for that price I couldn't pass it up. I hadn't really looked too much at Toshiba products partly because their price range always seemed to come in $100 or so above others like Asus and Samsung, and also partly I think from memories I have of a very early model Satellite my brother owned several years ago that was large, clunky, and felt kind of flimsy to me. However looking at the display model in the store it looked and felt pretty impressive to me.

I'm very happy with it in the limited usage I've had so far, but I can see what others are saying about the space bar and overall the ultrabook-style keys take a bit of getting used to. For me I find the spacebar needs to be hit more solidly than I'm used to, so I need to make a bit more of a concentrated effort to hit it square and firm with my thumbs. However for the price and features it comes with I can get used to that. I am a bit concerned about the screen cracking issue that the previous poster mentioned, but I'll try to be gentle when closing it.

Just a couple of quick questions for any owners out there that might know: Firstly, I believe there is 2 GB of RAM attached directly to the motherboard, and then since mine has 6 GB total that should mean the one slot has a 4 GB stick. Can I upgrade on this at all, or will the system online recognize/hold 6 GB total (i.e. replacing this 4 GB stick with something larger)?

Secondly, this is probably more of a general ultrabook question, but how does everyone think these will last/fare in the long run? It somewhat worries me that they have so many integral pieces that aren't replaceable/serviceable, and remembering the fact I have used my old ThinkPad T40 for so long I am hoping and expecting to get a solid few years of service out of this machine. Any opinions on what their lifespan should be expected to be?

 

No problems with my screen so far. I can't imagine cracking it unless I closed it really hard or sat on it.

I expect my z935 to last for several years, but if anything failed early, it would be my trackpad buttons...



Sent from my HTC Droid DNA using Tapatalk 2

 

Fyi, the zagg invisible shield for the z835 fits perfectly on our z935

Sent from my HTC Droid DNA using Tapatalk 2

 

Thanks for the tip! I may have to grab one of these for a family member's z835

 

You found that laptop at futureshop for 699???? What a deal was it an open box or display model??? I could'nt find it at my futureshop lol. Crazy deal good job.

 

Hi Everyone:

I am newbie here. Would like to ask , if someone or somebody could help me in my problem with my laptop.
I use this Toshiba Portege Z930, it cannot automatically detect external display whenever I attach a monitor or projector via it's VGA. Also it does not function whenever I attach a tvor monitor device via it's HDMI port. By the way, whenever I try to connect, I oftenly press FN+F5, but to no avail it doesn't function. Could anyone help me wiht my predicament, is there any toshiba wizard there who could help me solve this laptop issue of mine.

Thanks a lot

PaulEP

 

Isnt there a physical button near the power button to switch to an external display? Or did you already try that

 

Hi folks.

New to the forum. Just got home from Best Buy with an open-box z935-p300 for a total of $633 (including tax). I bought it knowing I could take it back if I wanted something else. So far it seems like a really great laptop but there are just a few things that concern me and I wanted to get your opinion on my concerns.

1) No touchscreen. I have W8 on my desktop and love it. So, touchscreen or not, my laptop will be upgraded. But it is also something that I really wanted. I've had my current laptop for 8 years (Compaq presario) and while this is a huge upgrade from that (!), it isn't probably what most would call "elite". Everything is moving more towards touch oriented applications and it seems that since I don't plan to purchase another laptop for at least 6 years or more, that maybe I should get a touch screen.

2) Durability. This thing is flimsy as a piece of cardboard. If I ever dropped it I have no doubts that it would probably break in half. Or if I ever used this outside and it was moderately windy, I'm pretty sure it would just blow away.

3) Keyboard. Seems seem very short. I've mistypes quite a few times just typing this. This is my first chiclet style keyboard, so maybe it's just a matter of getting used to that in general?

The other laptop that was a Samsung Series 5, touchscreen, i5 (3rd gen, I think), 4gb ram, bluetooth, blahblahblah.. Basically the only differences in hardware are the touchscreen and 500gb HD with 24gbSSD cache. But, it's way sturdier (and also almost two pounds heavier) and is, in my opinion-- very good looking. The cost on that was $850 (tax not included).

I know I'm posting this in a thread specifically about one of the options, but I would like some honest feedback here. Let me know what you guys think! Is the Samsung/touchscreen worth the extra money?

Edit: Also, the plasticy feeling on this laptop is far-subpar to the Samsung. Any problems with wrists wearing the plastic down to different colors?

 

Don't assume that weight means sturdiness. This is not plastic, but magnesium (or magnesium alloy, says on the sticker on the palm rest). Unfortunately, even though it is metal, I agree that it feels like plastic/cheaper. The only worry I have is around the screen, but so far no issues. I don't think comparing the Samsung is really the correct comparison if it is 2lbs heavier, that's almost double the weight of the z935. Unless you need space, the SSD on the z935 will be much faster than the samsung's cache drive (the ssd in the z935 is one of the fastest out there). Touchscreen is more of a personal preference, so I won't go there. I think it it a great notebook and very light, but obviously it is an ultrabook and has drawbacks because of that.

 

Unfortunately, the one I got had a bad speaker. So, I returned it to Best Buy and picked up an open box Samsung Series 5 UltraTouch. I love it. The touchscreen has proven to be quite useful and the aluminum body feels nice to the touch (and plenty sturdy). It doesn't have an SSD out of the box, but it is very easy to upgrade. For around $130 more, I think it has just enough extra features to be worth it.

 

Hi to all -
I own a Z935-P300.
Today I wanted to pair the PC withmy cell. It does not work.
I tried the Fn-F8 key toggling to turn on the bluetooth - the bluetooth symbol remains shaded = not active .... and I tried that several times.

How do I find out, whether my Z935-P300 has the Bluetooth feature, at all ??
How do I turn on the Bluetooth function - aside from the Fn-F8 toggling ??
( I have read the manual ...no alternative results besides the Fn card and Fn key - which does not work ... )

Many thanks in advance for any help !! :hi2:

Ullemann = [email protected]

 

This Toshiba spec sheet states your laptop does in fact have Bluetooth 4.0
http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/product/pdf_files/detailed_specs/portege_Z935-P300.pdf

Not sure for your laptop, but for my Toshiba Qosmio with Windows 7, I have a Bluetooth program under the start menu. [Start -->Toshiba ---> Bluetooth].
Might be worth checking out.


Let us know if that helps.

 

Hi alexUW -thanks a lot.
I have the following tasks under the Start--> Toshiba-->Bluetooth menu:
Bluetooth Settings
Bluetooth Assistant
Bluetooth Information Exchnager
Add New Connection

I clicked all of them( one after the other ): I see an hourglass (symbol for "wait !" ) for a few seconds, then the hourglass disappears and nothing happens.

I the Device Manager I see the Bluetooth logo and after clicking it I get the message that the device is working normally.

I have no idea what may be wrong ..... !
Thanks to everybody for helping me !
Ullemann

 

Here is still an important aspect: if I have read correctly the instructions, the Bluetooth symbol should be visible in the Taskbar and/or Notification area - but there is nothing shown related to Bluetooth.

 

I am having a similar problem. I was finally able to make a connection to my bluetooth Jambox but when I turn on the jambox and play music from my laptop the sound comes from the laptop speakers which makes me think the bluetooth is not turned on. I don't see anyway to find out if it's on. I also went to start menu but nothing there to indicat. Icon is in system tray, wireless is on and jambox is shown as device. Any ideas?
Thanks

 

what is the difference between 930 and 935?

 

I've recently recorded a video showing how to open up the Z930. Once open you can replace the SSD, memory, clean out the fan etc.

Toshiba Portege Z930 Ultrabook Teardown - YouTube

Let me know what you think of it.

 

@bigdipper

Thank you a lot for the nice video.

 

Hello,

I ugpraded successfully my Z930 from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10, but then my printers did not function (error message when printing, even with virtual PDF printer). So I did a clean install with Windows 10 ISO created with MS mediacreationtoolx64.exe.
After install, all hardware devices are recognized, and no more printer problem. But the Fn-W (backlit key) did not work, so I take the latest Toshiba utilities for Win8.1, in this order (same order as for Win8.1 upgrade) :

01 tdska-20131001180638_v1.02.01.0007_ToshibaDesktopAssistant.zip
02 tsd-20131016171635_v1.1.0002.01_ToshibaSystemDriver.zip
03 tfnkeyu-20131002134400_v1.1.0002.01_ToshibaFunctionKeyUtility.zip
04 eco-20131002122438_v2.2.0.6404_EcoUtility.zip
05 pchm-20131002133247_v1.9.09.6400_PCHealthMonitor.zip
06 tssu-20130930172638_v1.00.0002.32002_ToshibaSystemSettings Utility.zip

Except Eco utility (no application windows displayed),
the other utilities work (PCHealthmonitor is all greyed out at first, but then you have to check Accept radio button). I wonder whether I am missing something (Intel Management Engine Interface, Chipset support)? Did they already covered by Windows 10? Do I need Intel Rapid Storage Technology?

Thank you.