Travel Technology - Toshiba Portégé R500 series - opinions?

I walked through the subnotebooks/ultraportables section at the electronics store yesterday and came across this (http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/cmod.to?coid=-33781). Thin and light, not too big, but what impressed me most is that I could actually type very comfortably on it. I do a lot of typing, so keyboard comfort is a priority for me.

Does anyone have any experience with this series of notebooks? Is there something better for that price (or less) that might be as comfortable, yet still small and lightweight? I probably would opt for the HD rather than the solid state drive.

You should also consider the Thinkpad X60 or X61.

I manage a few of these for my department. They are very light and performant, but the case feels fragile and one, in fact, has already developed a crack.

Two of the five I have had problems with the DVD drive not working.

So, while I like the specs, I'm having trouble developing a real love for these machines.

My personal Vaio I really love.

I manage a few of these for my department. They are very light and performant, but the case feels fragile and one, in fact, has already developed a crack.

Two of the five I have had problems with the DVD drive not working.

So, while I like the specs, I'm having trouble developing a real love for these machines.

My personal Vaio I really love.

Don't you find built quality on the Vaio an issue too? I love VAIOs on paper, but as I've said to friends: I've never bought two VAIOs in a row. Every single one (~4) has given me problems. Even with onsite warrenty, it's all a bit trying.

Don't you find built quality on the Vaio an issue too? I love VAIOs on paper, but as I've said to friends: I've never bought two VAIOs in a row. Every single one (~4) has given me problems. Even with onsite warrenty, it's all a bit trying.

I have an SZ460N with a metal case and I'm happy with the build quality. On the other hand, a colleague just emailed me for advice on what to to with a dead Toshiba R200 we gave him.

So, I don't know. With manufacturers always striving to put out the lowest cost products I think "trouble free" operation is low on their priority lists.

I would be a bit concerned with the bendy lid. It looks and feels rather flimsy.

I spotted a Toshiba R500 sale online locally and would appreciate opinions on the relative value of the original model (open-box, not demo, 'new; units):

Converted to USD it's on offer for $1191.
Expensive compared to a netbook of course, but with the ultimate lightness and the speed of the SSD.

What's your opinion?

Thanks.

It's an awesome machine. You're paying for a full-featured machine laptop into a netbook sized device.

I've got the X61 but would have taken the R500 if I was given a choice.

I ended up getting one at >35% (AUD$600) less than the price listed above.

Just when the reseller was finally out of stock, this one popped up at a warehouse clearance over the weekend. Luckily, I was the first one to check the notebook area, found it and had it in less than a minute. :)

Netbook users - you will be surprised at the difference!