Toshiba Portege R500 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: When the Portègè R500 hit in June 2007, it was an impossibly portable ultralight that stood out in a field of also-rans. But with only minimal upgrades since then, the R500 is now having its lunch resoundingly eaten. It's still among the lightest full ...

Pros: Amazingly, almost suspiciously, light. Integrated optical drive

Cons: One of the dimmest screens on the market - hard to read if you're not viewing straight on. Pitiful performance running Vista. Scary lack of sturdiness

Review summary: A notebook to meet your business demands?

Verdict: The Toshiba Portégé R500-11Z is a fantastic notebook for anyone who needs to use their machine for long periods when away from mains power. Had it delivered a slightly faster performance for the price, this would have scored a slightly higher score. ...

Review summary: Calling the Toshiba Portégé R500 (SSD) ($2,599 direct) an ultraportable is an understatement. It's almost inconceivable that a laptop can sport a 12-inch screen and a full-size keyboard and yet weigh only 1.7 pounds (yeah, you read that right). Of ...

Pros: 1.7-pound laptop. Full-size keyboard. Options for a built-in optical drive and extended batteries. GreenTech approved

Cons: Must handle with care. Screen flexes too much and needs brightening. 3G wireless needs to come to the United States. SSD drives are expensive. Performance is unspectacular

Verdict: Toshiba drove the Portégé R500 (SSD)'s weight down to 1.7 pounds, but you'll have to do without an optical drive, work with a smaller battery, and pay for an expensive SSD drive.

Review summary: The R500 is one of the lightest notebooks with its screen size that we've tested, but its overly flexible screen worries us.

Pros: Above average battery life ; Battery-saving backlight toggle

Cons: Mediocre keyboard ; Mousepad buttons awkward for big hands

Verdict: Toshiba does many things right with the Portégé R500--you just can't become too bent out of shape over the twisty monitor

Review summary: The R500 is one of the lightest notebooks with its screen size that we've tested, but its overly flexible screen worries us.

Pros: Above average battery life, Battery-saving backlight toggle

Cons: Mediocre keyboard, Mousepad buttons awkward for big hands

Verdict: Toshiba does many things right with the Portégé R500--you just can't become too bent out of shape over the twisty monitor