Toshiba's latest ultraportable and Netbook range
SINGAPORE--For users who feel portability is more important than raw computing performance, Toshiba's new trio of laptops deserves a second look. Not only did the Japanese maker update the Portege R500 (widely considered as one of the smallest and lightest 12.1-inch notebooks in the market) with the new R600, but for the more budget-minded, the Portege A600 offers the same functionality without the hefty price tag. In addition, the first Netbook from Toshiba also made its maiden appearance at the launch today. Let's take a closer look at the various new models.
Toshiba Portege R600So what differentiates the Portege R600 from its predecessor? Though both are decked out with a generous 128GB solid-state drive, integrated optical drive and LED-backlit screen, not to mention data security features in the form of a fingerprint sensor and TPM security chip combo, the latest iteration adds a host of new features as well as a new chipset platform.Weighing a mere 979g, the Portege R600 is based on the latest Intel GS45 mainboard with a faster 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor compared to the 1.2GHz on the R500. The integrated graphics card has also been bumped up to the more powerful Intel GMA 4500 processor. There is now a Webcam built into the chassis and it comes with Toshiba's SmartFace software which allows facial recognition logins. We also like the addition of sleep-and-charge USB ports which provides juice to external USB devices even if the unit is turned off. Last, but not least, the USB/eSATA combo port caters to next-gen connectivity without sacrificing the number of USB ports available. Though we would have liked to see a HDMI connector, for sheer portability and functionality there are few competitors to the Portege R600. Toshiba Portege A600For users who want the functionality of the Portege R600 but balk at the price, then the Portege A600 deserves a second glance. Though its heavier at 1.46kg, the A600 is still one of the lightest 12.1-inch laptops in the market with a built-in optical drive. It has the exact same features as the Portege R600 save one--the 128GB SSD has been replaced with a larger but cheaper 250GB magnetic storage drive. Not a bad compromise considering the huge savings over the R600.Toshiba NB100 NetbookFrankly, Netbooks are a dime a dozen these days with little to differentiate them. Like its competitors, Toshiba's first Netbook is decked out with a 1.6GHz Atom processor with common features like Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, memory card reader, USB and VGA out. expected in this class. However, there are two things we noticed about this Netbook.Unlike run-of-the-mill USB ports, the NB100 comes with sleep-and-charge USB connectors. This allows the Netbook to keep your USB-connected devices like mobile phones or MP3 players charged without having to power up the machine. This cuts down on the number of power adapters you may have to bring along on a trip and is a welcome addition to the feature set. Here comes the bad news. One of the first things we look out for in a Netbook is the usability of the keyboard. Sadly, this is where the NB100 stumbles. With keys that look like they belong to a 7-inch Netbook instead of the 8.9-inch machine it is, this Toshiba makes typing difficult and uncomfortable for long periods. Considering the excellent keyboards on the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 and HP Mini 1000, there is no reason why this had to be the case. Tags: Toshiba Portege, Netbook, USB Port, chipset, Facial Recognition |
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