New Portege Z830

[Apparition]

SoundsGood,

My favorite is the Z830 although I CANT WAIT to switch off this Canadian keyboard. This includes use of the trackpad as the Z830 is the easiest to use for my specific use although it is not as smooth on the fingers as the Lenovo. This trackpad feels metal.

I wont lie... I love the look of the Series 9 and think about getting another continually (as a permanent system)with a fixed antenna IF IT IS FIXED. This leaves 3 negatives for me in the S9 which are the fingerprints as it is a finger residue magnet and the open/close ports as well as the plug which broke right away.

The X220 has the benefit of mSATA and HDD (I have two ssds in) but is WAY TOO HEAVY and thick.

The Lenovo tangerine U265 does not have a SD card slot but has the nicest feel when moving your hand on the trackpad by far. It has an amazing look and the exterior feel is the absolute best of the bunch as it is aluminum yet its like they have a rubber coating on that that doesnt mark. My wife LOVES this system although the battery life would notwork for me. The Z830 has the best battery life of the bunch and I use it typically on balanced mode.

I also didnt find the S9 trackpad as smooth as a finger drag as the Lenovo....nothing has compared to this yet.

At the end of the day.....I am sitting here using the Z830 as my primary system. Even though the S9 has the best design, the Z830 just feels the lightest and thinnest which is what I wanted. The screen has a slight flex but does not feel cheap in any way; it just feels thin.

I will have the HP on return from CES that I can speak to then as well.

[pookguy88]

SoundsGood,

My favorite is the Z830 although I CANT WAIT to switch off this Canadian keyboard. This includes use of the trackpad as the Z830 is the easiest to use for my specific use although it is not as smooth on the fingers as the Lenovo. This trackpad feels metal.

I wont lie... I love the look of the Series 9 and think about getting another continually (as a permanent system)with a fixed antenna IF IT IS FIXED. This leaves 3 negatives for me in the S9 which are the fingerprints as it is a finger residue magnet and the open/close ports as well as the plug which broke right away.

The X220 has the benefit of mSATA and HDD (I have two ssds in) but is WAY TOO HEAVY and thick.

The Lenovo tangerine U265 does not have a SD card slot but has the nicest feel when moving your hand on the trackpad by far. It has an amazing look and the exterior feel is the absolute best of the bunch as it is aluminum yet its like they have a rubber coating on that that doesnt mark. My wife LOVES this system although the battery life would notwork for me. The Z830 has the best battery life of the bunch and I use it typically on balanced mode.

I also didnt find the S9 trackpad as smooth as a finger drag as the Lenovo....nothing has compared to this yet.

At the end of the day.....I am sitting here using the Z830 as my primary system. Even though the S9 has the best design, the Z830 just feels the lightest and thinnest which is what I wanted. The screen has a slight flex but does not feel cheap in any way; it just feels thin.

I will have the HP on return from CES that I can speak to then as well.

So you have the Canadian version with the bilingual keyboard? Is it possible to replace the keyboard with the US one?

[SoundsGood]

Apparition, thanks very much for the info -- much appreciated. And nice new name, too!

[kaikara]

So you have the Canadian version with the bilingual keyboard? Is it possible to replace the keyboard with the US one?

I have the same thing. The think that sucks about the french keys is that the backlight doesn't shine through them. Really doesn't make any sense why they did this as it defeats the purpose of a backlit keyboard. It shouldn't be a problem to replace the keybopard with a US one. I plan to do it when I can get my hands on one.

[brian5]

Apparition,

Have to agree with you on the look of the Samsung Series 9. I still really like it. It does have the negatives that you mention though.

I don't agree with this statement though "The X220 has the benefit of mSATA and HDD (I have two ssds in) but is WAY TOO HEAVY and thick." If I put my small battery in, it's 2.1 pounds (or 1.3 kg)!!

That X220 weight is lighter than the Acer Aspire S3, the HP Folio and the Samsung Series 9 (mine was 3.0 pounds). Much the same weight as the Lenovo Ideapad U300S.

EDIT: And no, I'm not saying that the X220 is an Ultrabook alternative. I'm just saying that it's lighter and WAY MORE EXPANDABLE than some Ultrabooks out there.

Pictures attached...

[Apparition]

I have the small battery in the X220. It just doesnt have the feel of an ultra...I am sorry. It simply feels like the typical Lenovo that I have come to know for so many years.

The weight alone takes it out of the running against the S9 and Z830 simply because it is too thick to properly fit inside my padfolio I had shown previously. Thats a full 1/2lb! I know I know...its getting personally but the design and feel of the X220 is the same to me whether it is the X220 or the larger 15" Lenovo I have been lugging around for 3 years now for work. We need a design refresh.

The U265 and U300 has that IMHO.

[BigNerd]

Used my Z835 on WiFi last night... seems like much better battery life... 3 hours (pretty constant use in Excel and some web browsing) and maybe 60% battery left so may another 3.5-4 hours. That's pretty good.

[Purba]

I have the same thing. The think that sucks about the french keys is that the backlight doesn't shine through them. Really doesn't make any sense why they did this as it defeats the purpose of a backlit keyboard. It shouldn't be a problem to replace the keybopard with a US one. I plan to do it when I can get my hands on one.

CMIIW, I think you will void warranty.

[Apparition]

Yes... I am certain as well that replacement of the keys will mean a full system disassembly which will probably void any warranty. Its worth it though.

[alexUW]

Yes... I am certain as well that replacement of the keys will mean a full system disassembly which will probably void any warranty. Its worth it though.

If anyone has a z830 with a standard 3 year warranty, I would seriously consider the consequences of voiding a 3 year warranty before attempting this.