Toshiba Portege R835-P88

In a world where Ultrabooks are hip and happening , ultraportables may seem like yesterday 's news . The Toshiba Portege R835 - P88 ( $ 849.99 list ) is the latest version of a model that had been around for years . It weighs a third of a pound more than the average ultrabook . It has fashioned optical drive instead of a newfangled backlit keyboard .

Type: Ultraportable, Business, Small Business

Processor Name: Intel Core i5-2450M

Processor Speed: 2.5 GHz

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium

RAM: 6 GB

Weight: 3.2 lb

Screen Size: 13.3 inches

Screen Type: Widescreen

Native Resolution: 1366 x 768

Graphics Card: Intel HD Graphics 3000

Storage Capacity (as Tested): 640 GB

Rotation Speed: 5400 rpm

Networking Options: 802.11n

Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

Wireless Display Capability (WiDi): Yes

WWAN (Mobile Broadband): None

Battery Type: 66 Whr (Watt hours)

Tech Support: 1 year.

Handbrake Multimedia Tests: 1:46 min:sec

CineBench 11.5 Multimedia Tests: 2.75

MobileMark 2007 – Standard Battery Productivity Load (hrs:min): 8:40

MobileMark 2007- Performance score: 293

PCMark Vantage: 2313

3-D BENCHMARK TESTS - 3DMark06 - 1,024 x 768 - Default: 5142

3-D BENCHMARK TESTS - 3DMark06 - Native – 0X/4X: 2827

Crysis - Medium quality - 1,024 x 768 - AA/AF=Off/Off: 21.8

Lost Planet 2 (DX9) - Middle quality - 1,024 x 768- AA/AF=Off/Off: 20.7

Lost Planet 2 (DX9) - High quality - Native - AA/AF= 0X/4X: 8.1

MULTIMEDIA TESTS - PhotoShop CS5: 3:55 min:sec

There are also costs less than most Ultrabooks and faster than any of them , and runs yes , an optical drive can still come in attractive handy sometimes. For portability, performance , and value ( especially at street prices markedly below its $ 850 list ) , the Portege R835 - P88 is what we said its R835 - P50X predecessor 11 months ago.