14 DAY TRIAL // One would have thought that, with Computex over, PC makers wouldn't exactly have many devices to show off, but the past two weeks have actually been filled with announcements of new desktops, notebooks, netbooks and other products. Toshiba, in particular, has been quite active, especially on the mobile PC front, and it seems as though it isn't ready to stop the outflow of electronics just yet. In fact, the PC maker has just released the Portege R700.
This once, Toshiba did not unwrap some other new form of unique machine. The AC100/dynabook AZ and the Libretto W100 dual-screen portable have that area covered readily enough. The Portege R700 is a, more or less, regular 13.3-inch ultra-thin that, while merging decent specs, strives to reach an affordable price point.
The slim notebook has a configuration centered around an Intel Core CPU. Options include Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 models. Whichever chip is selected can be backed up by up to 4GB of RAM. The integrated Intel HD graphics has the HD LED-backlit screen (1366 x 768 pixel resolution) all to itself. Other specifications include an HDD or SSD, an optional DVD drive and, predictably, up to 500GB of ASUS web storage. As for connectivity and I/O, the company threw in Gigabit Ethernet, 802/11 b/g/n WiFi, optional 3G, Bluetooth 2.1, an HDMI output, a multi-card reader and a DVD drive.
The Portege R700 is pre-loaded with the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system and, depending on preference, can be sold for as low as $899.
"Portege ultraportable laptops are not only a demonstration of Toshiba's superior engineering and craftsmanship, but our ability to innovate to meet the demands of businesses," said Carl Pinto, vice president of product development, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. "The Portégé R700 delivers the ultimate mobile experience at breakthrough prices that businesses have been waiting for, providing both performance and battery life within an extremely thin and light, yet durable form factor without compromising key features such as an integrated DVD drive."