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    anything better than portege R835-P70?

    Discussion in 'Toshiba' started by jancar, Sep 6, 2011.

  1. jancar

    jancar Newbie

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    I recently bought a Toshiba Portege R835-P70 from Best Buy and upgraded it with an Intel 320 series SSD. Now, a family member is interested in buying the same thing and I am wondering if there is anything better available. Must haves are the light weight (< 3.5lbs), the full speed processor and the optical drive.

    I like the laptop very much but the things that could be improved IMHO:

    the keyboard keys are a little too slippery and not back-lit
    the buttons beneath the track pad are a little stiff
    the quality of the LCD isn't great

    thanks
    john
     
    jancar, Sep 6, 2011
    #1
  2. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    There's not a lot of alternatives that include an optical drive in that weight range. However, if you can forego the optical drive (external USB ones are quite cheap for when you need them) then the Lenovo X220 with IPS screen may be worth thinking about. The Samsung 7 Series are also getting a lot attention but I haven't studied the range in enough detail to know if there is a R835 equivalent.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Sep 6, 2011
    #2
  3. Mr_Mysterious

    Mr_Mysterious Like...duuuuuude

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    Anything below $800?

    Mr. Mysterious
     
    Mr_Mysterious, Sep 6, 2011
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  4. ProfessorShred

    ProfessorShred Notebook Evangelist

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    ProfessorShred, Sep 6, 2011
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  5. jancar

    jancar Newbie

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    The Sony Vaio VPCSC1AFM/S from Best Buy looks intriguing. If you use the pre-installed hybrid hard drive (Sony) instead of buying a 160GB Intel SSD for the Toshiba, then the Sony is actually a little cheaper, has more features (back-lit keyboard, blu-ray player, larger hard drive, AMD graphics, bluetooth, etc...) and only 0.7 lbs heavier (3.9 lbs vs 3.2 lbs). Thanks, will consider it.

    john
     
    jancar, Sep 6, 2011
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  6. ProfessorShred

    ProfessorShred Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes,actually I had the VPCSC from BB and bought into what everyone was saying in the SONY owners forum about the SB having better build quality,so I sold the VPCSC on Ebay and ordered an SB direct from Sony,turns out that I liked the VPC better and came away with the impression that the BB blue label VPCSC was just as good if not better of the 2 build wise,by the way,the VPCSC is also available on Sony's canadian website...
     
    ProfessorShred, Sep 6, 2011
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  7. ProfessorShred

    ProfessorShred Notebook Evangelist

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    ProfessorShred, Sep 6, 2011
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  8. kiskapu

    kiskapu Notebook Evangelist

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    Portége Z830 - definately, no question. Weihgts 1.2 kg, that's ultraportable to the max.

    I've read several articles claiming it's price would be under 1000 USD - fingers crossed - if it'd be true, I might replace my Acer 3820TG.

    Of course, if waiting is not an issue....

    Edit: ...and if it's not, You might as well consider the Acer Aspire 3951 as well:

    Engadget - Aspire 3951
     
    kiskapu, Sep 7, 2011
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