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Tosh stick notebook in flying basket
I've had hands on with Toshiba's new ultra-portable notebook, the Portégé R500, which it claims is the world's lightest at just 779g.
Despite the miniscule weight it includes a 12.1in LED-backlit display and full qwerty keyboard.
At this weight it's actually as light as Samsung's Q1 and Medion's Rim 1000 ultra-mobile PCs, both of which we've reviewed. We found them lacking in the usability department and I'd personally plump for a light notebook like the R500 instead.
Toshiba is quiet on the UMPC front, saying they've got nothing specifically planned because they don't think Schools – and education is the only place for UMPCs according to Tosh – really need them.
To coincide with the launch Toshiba is backing David Hempleman-Adams to cross the Atlantic in the first wicker-basket hot air balloon ever to go state-side to the UK. The man freely admits he could be crashing into the Atlantic a long way before reaching his target.
To give you an idea of just how dangerous his trip will be Richard Branson's balloon was a 1m cubic foot monster. Adams' balloon is just a 135,000 cubic foot tiddler.
Adams will use Toshiba's new Portégé R500 to get weather updates and for communications (with a satellite phone too, of course).
There are two versions of the R500: A single spindle one (the world's lightest and the one Adam's will take) and a dual spindle version that includes a 7mm optical drive, apparently the world's smallest optical drive.
The notebook is impressive to hold and feels sturdy. It's so light that I reckon the battery actually weighs more than the rest of the device itself.
The basic chassis comes kitted out with an ultra low voltage Core 2 Duo processor, the U7600, with 1GB Ram, Draft-N wireless all on the Napa chipset – so no Santa Rosa.
The price starts at £1291 inc. Vat which includes Vista Home Premium and it should go on sale in the middle of July.
Posted by Emil Larsen on June 22, 2007 | Permalink
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