Toshiba Portege Z835 Review: The Best Ultrabook Discussion

Charles P. Jefferies · 11-15-2011, 10:57 AM

This $899 Best Buy exclusive features a 13.3-inch display, 128GB solid state drive, backlit keyboard and six hours of battery life. Read our take to find out what makes this Ultrabook really impressive.

Read the full content of this Article: Toshiba Portege Z835 Review: The Best Ultrabook

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PinoyBoy · 11-15-2011, 03:37 PM

Very good review. Sadly, I expected too much; maybe it's because it's the watered down bestbuy version.

If that is $899.99... I wonder how much would this configuration be?
- atleast a core i5
- 256gb SSD
- fingerprint reader

alexUW · 11-15-2011, 04:24 PM

Great review Charles!!! I know you put a lot of time and effort into it.
Still disappointed by the slow SSD and NON-matte screen; maybe the screen is a Best Buy thing?

**EDIT**
Not sure if it's relevant, but BestBuy has the z835 listed as $799; review says $899.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+...z835&cp=1&lp=1

downloads · 11-15-2011, 05:01 PM

For $799 I can live with an SSD that breaks no records but glossy LCD is really pushing it. Other than that it seems a great value.

MidnightSun · 11-15-2011, 05:03 PM

Good review. Still, though, the UX31 looks like a far more attractive ultrabook (granted, it's quite a bit more expensive). And if one were willing to give up thinness, the X220 would fall below this price point and provide a much more attractive overall package.

On a side note, if this laptop only got 3 stars, how'd it also get Editors' Choice?

Pseudorandom · 11-15-2011, 05:17 PM

The Best Buy version seems to have a huge discount compared to the better versions. Or is ToshibaDirect just being expensive and we should expect cheaper prices elsewhere.

I don't think that the UX31 presents and overall better package. Actually, I personally would take the X220 over all the 13" ultrabooks instantly except this one. The main thing that it has going for it compared to the others is the 2.4lb weight and the ports imho. Its nearly a full pound lighter than the X220, still has ethernet and VGA ports and useful stuff (no ExpressCard or docking connector though).

Jerry Jackson · 11-15-2011, 05:40 PM

I'm with Pseudorandom on this one.

Although I'm not a huge fan of Ultrabooks, I like the Z830/Z835 ... mainly because of the ports. I like thin and light laptops as much as the next person, but if you get rid of the ports you get rid of some of the reasons to use a Windows PC instead of an iPad.

On the other hand, if it gets much thicker/heavier then you might as well buy a X220.

Charles P. Jefferies · 11-15-2011, 06:22 PM

I liked the ASUS UX31 but would also choose the Z835. It's cheaper, has the full-sized ports (biggie ... UX31 has a "mini-VGA" and "mini-HDMI", and only a converter cable for the former is provided), has a keyboard that works better, is backlit, and has a nicer layout, and the Z835 is lighter.

Edit: and although I like the Z835, these Ultrabooks are simply not robust enough to depend on as a primary machine in this author's opinion. Get an X220 if you want that.

makryger · 11-15-2011, 06:33 PM

Thanks for the review Charles. For the record, the SSD and RAM are both upgradeable, without affecting warranty. Yes, you have to undo a whole lot more screws on the back, but it is possible. Also, the wireless card should theoretically also be upgradable, if someone needs Bluetooth, although I'm not sure how easy it will be to access. If you take Best Buy's online price, then the $799 makes for a very impressive price-to-functionality ratio, and I think it makes this a worthwhile purchase.

Dreamycreamy · 11-15-2011, 06:41 PM

I like the colour