Four models of the Ultrabook, starting at $929, are now available, or shoppers can build their own starting at $1,099.
The configurable model and the two higher-end Z830 models, priced at $1,199 and $1,429, are considerably more expensive than competing Ultrabooks like the $899 Acer Aspire S3. But the extra price gets you a bunch of upgrades, including: an Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processor, Windows 7 Professional, a three-year warranty, Bluetooth, a fingerprint reader, and, in the case of the $1,429 Portege Z830-S8302, 6GB of memory instead of 4GB. Still, Acer offers a pumped-up model of the Aspire S3 with Intel Core i7 processor and 256GB SSD for $1,299, making Toshiba’s higher-end Ultrabook seem less of a great value.
An exclusive Best Buy Z835 model is priced at $799. Comparing Toshiba’s $929 Z835-ST8305 and $929.99 Z935-P330 models (the latter adds a fingerprint reader) against the Best Buy version specs, I couldn’t find any significant difference, so you might as well pick up the laptop from Best Buy. All offer the same 1366- by-768 resolution on the 13.3-inch display, an Intel Core i3-2367M processor, 4GB or memory, and a 128GB solid state drive.
The Z835 has other things going for it besides light weight, as Cross noted, such as a full array of full-sized ports, a backlit keyboard, and a solid state drive. If you’d like to order yours now in time for unwrapping for the holidays, head to Toshiba’s Portege Z830 page; Toshiba says the laptops will ship in about three to four weeks.
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