Toshiba Portege R500 3G upgrade gets FCC approval

The Toshiba Portege R500, a 12.1-inch ultraportable that we've been telling you about has just gotten a new 3G add-on cleared for takeoff by our favorite government agency, the FCC. The Core 2 Duo-driven laptop, which just hit the market, has been given the a-ok on an HSDPA module, potentially making this a big deal for people who are in dire need of connectivity options (jet-setting suits, we're looking at you). In case you've forgotten, the ultralight, ultrathin laptop starts at a weight of 1.72 lbs, can utilize a 32GB or 64GB SSD drive, and also has 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth. The "world's thinnest" laptop is on sale right now starting at $1,999, but no word on when the 3G is coming, or how much it will cost.

[Via PC Joint, thanks Stasys]

[YouFaceTheTick @ Jul 20th 2007 12:43PM]

Killer laptop. I'm still trying to decide if I'll pay for it. Given the extreme lightness and shape, it's hard to pass on it.

[Singh @ Jul 20th 2007 12:57PM]

This looks too expensive,,, Why don't we go for Gigabyte, a korean brand. Here's the Spec: http://www.gadget9.com/2007/07/13/gigabyte-w251u-laptop-review/

[Rob @ Jul 20th 2007 1:12PM]

That's a very nice system. Although the price can come down a couple of Benjamins before it starts to take off. But, considering its weight, it should do fine. But, is that 1.72lbs before you put the battery on it? Last time I checked, batteries tend to weight as much as a 3.5 hdd.

[YouFaceTheTick @ Jul 20th 2007 1:34PM]

It's sub 2 lbs with a small battery, SSD and no optical drive. With the larger battery, real HD and optical drive (smallest ever), it's only about 2.6 lbs. It's an impressive machine. And if you haven't shopped ultraportables you wouldn't know that the price is in line with the sub 3 lbs group. I can't fathom buying another massive 5 lbs machine (too much to lug around for meetings, on planes, etc).

[Andrew @ Jul 20th 2007 1:37PM]

I have its older brother, R-100. It's also 12" super slim and only 1.8 pounds, and it really is just like a notebook in size and weight. I had it for 3.5 years. These laptops are amazing if you value portability, and 3 year warranty it comes with is very welcome (and necessary, I used it twice). Great keyboard too. The only thing like it are Panasonic Toughbooks. No other laptop comes close if you want something light and thin, and yet fully useable (i.e. not a 8" toy).

[jk @ Jul 20th 2007 2:02PM]

i've got a portege r200, which is basically the model before this, and it kicks major ass, i could never go back from ultra-portables, they are what a laptop should be.

im a dedicated toshiba laptop fan now, and although i have no need to upgrade to this one, the next one after this will be a definate.

[Shariq @ Jul 20th 2007 2:24PM]

Generic Q:
Where can I find the wallpaper visible on the picture of the laptop?

Thanks

[Rayyan @ Jul 21st 2007 1:09AM]

I'm shopping for a 12"ish ultra-portable machine.. Can someone explain to me why all the new offerings (inlucing Sony's TZ, Toshiba R500, HP, and maybe even Dell) all use the non Santa Rosa ultra-low voltage CPUs, as oppose to the newly introduced low voltage Santa Rosas?

Last I checked, the Thinkpad X61 is the only 12" that offers the LV CPUs which have the newer Intel graphics...

How do these Ultra LV CPUs perform compared to LV CPUs?

[Kevin Too @ Jul 23rd 2007 4:52PM]

It will be nice if TOSHIBA includes a 2.0 megapixels webcam and built in stereo mic....in time for this Christmas?