MobileTechReview Forum, News and Reviews: Toshiba Introduces the Portege R700 13.3" Ultralight Laptop

Toshiba has announced the Portege R700, a 13.3-inch ultraportable laptop with an integrated DVD drive and weighs only 3.2 lbs. The Portege R700 features the latest Intel Core family of processors, 13.3" HD display and a built-in DVD drive with prices starting under $1,000.

With a starting weight of just three pounds and about one inch thin, the Port?g? R700 is able to support the latest Intel Core family of full-powered processors as a result of new Airflow Cooling Technology. This innovative new cooling system co-developed by Toshiba and Intel uses directed streams of fresh air to cool the heat-generating components so business users can get the performance, mobility and longer battery life they need to stay productive on the go.

The Port?g? R700 also features a light, yet durable magnesium alloy casing reinforced with a new honeycomb rib design incorporated within the palm rests and base of the laptop. Similar to technology used in aerospace construction, this structural enhancement to the laptop provides increased rigidity and durability.

With an all-new sophisticated design that will turn heads in the boardroom, the Port?g? R700 features a 13.3-inch diagonal HD widescreen LED-backlit display, a premium raised tile keyboard and a wide TouchPad with customizable Multi-touch Control that makes typing and navigation easy and comfortable.

Equipped with Windows 7 Professional, the laptop includes a wealth of features and ports required by business users, including spacious hard drives, fast DDR3 RAM, the ability to dock to a port replicator, an ExpressCard slot, an eSATA/USB combo port with Sleep-and-Charge, as well as a built-in DVD SuperMulti drive and Webcam. The Port?g? R700 also features a high-capacity six-cell battery with a battery life rating of up to 8.5 hours. An optional nine-cell battery that can remain on when docked will increase the battery life rating up to 12.5 hours.

A new High-Speed Port Replicator for the Port?g? R700 (sold separately for $199.00 MSRP) provides fast access to a desktop environment and eliminates the hassle of connecting multiple cables. The port replicator features a host of ports, including two ultrafast USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet as well as Line-In/Line-Out audio ports, HDMI, RGB and Serial connections.

The laptop will be available in three configurations: the Port?g? R700-S1310 features the Intel Core i3 processor and a 500GB10 hard drive for $999.00 MSRP. The Port?g? R700-S1320 features the Intel Core i5-520M processor and a high-speed 320GB10 7200RPM hard drive for $1,299.00 MSRP8. The Port?g? R700-S1330 features the powerful Intel Core i7-620M processor and a 128GB solid state drive for $1,599.00 MSRP. All three configurations come with 4GB DDR3 memory and a Standard Three-Year International Limited Warranty.

Consumer Model Also Available

Toshiba will also offer a consumer edition of the laptop, the Port?g? R705. Sold exclusively at Best Buy for $889.99 MSRP, the laptop will feature a Magnesium Blue cover and will be powered by the Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of DDR3 memory and a 500GB hard drive. In addition, the Port?g? R705 will feature Intel Wireless Display for wirelessly connecting the laptop to a big screen HDTV. The Port?g? R705 will not include ExpressCard or docking capabilities.

Availability
Port?g? R700 business laptops will be available today through select Toshiba Preferred Partner Program resellers, e-tailers and directly at toshibadirect.com

The Port?g? R705 will be available at Best Buy stores nationwide on June 27, 2010.

-----------------------------------------------------

Read our latest notebook reviews:

Toshiba Satellite M505
Lenovo ThinkPad X100e
Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 13"
Toshiba Qosmio X505
Gateway LT2118u
Lenovo ThinkPad T410
HP TouchSmart TM2/TM2t
HP Envy 15

More News. . .

-----
MTR News