Portege 3500

Why I bought it

I am a teacher and I bought the Portege 3500 to take work back and forth between home and classroom. I was looking for a portable computer which was light, rugged, and yes, cool. I decided on a tablet PC because I like to include drawings in worksheets I create for students and didn't want the added weight of a scanner or digitizer tablet to lug around. I did a bunch of research for a tablet PC, and finalized my decision on the Portege 3500 mainly due to reviews in journals such as Consumer Reports, which rated it very highly.

First Impressions

When I first received my Portege 3500 I was exasperated by the fact that it didn't have an external CD or DVD drive packaged with it. What exasperated me even more was the pen. Using the pointy side (the side with the stylus) the pen starts to write about 1/3 inch (1 cm) from the surface of the tablet. This is frustrating because if I want to double-tap, I have to lift the pen at least that far from the screen's surface to do so; also, I have to lift the stylus that far between letters when printing, or at least between words when writing in cursive.
I called Toshiba's tech support, and they were helpful in turning the sensitivity down but it still remains too high for functionality.

I almost sent it back. I composed a very angry e-mail to the discount dealer I bought it from, but decided to cool my jets before I sent it.

Impressions After Trying it out a Bit

Then something happened. I started using it and the darn thing grew on me.
First, I discovered that if you flipped the stylus over and used the rounded (eraser) end to write with, it works really well. I have practiced my handwriting skills to the point that I can teach print and cursive to grade-schoolers - however when I write quickly, I write scrawl - yet the handwriting recognition (due to the Windows Tablet PC operating system) translated it flawlessly. I am able to doodle, seamlessly integrate drawings, and do all the things I bought a tablet for in the first place.
Secondly, it is really a cute little piece of equipment.
My previous 3 laptops have all been Sony VAIOs of one description or another, and I liked them all immensely. This little critter weighs a lot less than them (albeit without a CD or DVD drive). The keyboard is very comfortable and typing on it is a breeze. I like the way my thumb doesn't brush the built-in touchpad and thus move the insertion point, as used to happen with the VAIOs. The screen isn't quite as bright, but for what I want to do it is more than adequate.
The sound is a bit tinny (having only one speaker) but I didn't buy it to watch movies on anyway.
The built-in SD reader is inspired. I have 3 digital cameras which all use SD cards and the built-in reader makes uploading my pictures a breeze. I also use the SD card to port files, such as grades and progress reports, to and from my school's computer securely. I have never had a problem losing an SD card (as has happened with USB port plug-in readers). I have little use for the Compact Flash reader, but may when I upgrade to another camera. I am glad to have the option.
The Wi-Fi works flawlessly with my home wireless network, and the built in ethernet port allows me to plug my Portege into my school's network so I can use the internet. It is also useful on the road, for internet-connected hotels, and when there isn't an ethernet connection, I can always rely on the built in fax/modem.
I don't have much use for the PCMCIA port, but like the option of it being there, for example if I wanted to add a MIDI card or a PCMCIA-ieee 1394 (Firewire) card.
I am not disappointed by the lack of an ieee 1394 (Firewire) port because my video camera can use a USB port, albeit more slowly than using Firewire. The 2 USB ports on the Portege are fine for that.
I haven't used the IR port, but maybe will end up linking my Clie to the Portege, so I can HotSync it.

Cool Stuff

Now here's what really sold me on the Portege 3500, and why I kept it, and why I love it. When you swivel that screen around and clip it into place with a satisfying click, the screen quickly (2-3 secs) reorients itself to portrait mode. It's really sexy.
Although navigating with the pen is easy, I really like the added functionality of the built-in buttons as this enables me, for example, to easily advance slides I show to students.
Incidentally, my grade school students think it is The Bomb and are constantly pestering me to play with it, especially at recess. Their eyes light up when I pull it out and it really gets their attention. Also, when used in conjunction with an LCD projector I can use it as a digital whiteboard. This is great for me, for example spelling words or drawing concept maps; my students also love it for sharing ideas. They learned how to use it very quickly (although I jealously hoard it).
I am considering adding a USB camera so I can have the functionality of a digital overhead.
I also like the built in volume knob as it provides instant, intuitive access to the volume without having to fiddle with having to look at the screen.

Ruggedness

Generally speaking, the more technology you try to pack into something, the more opportunities there are for it to go wrong. The Portege is so well designed, however, that it has bounced back (to date) from every abuse I have thrown at it. I don’t recommend any of the following, but the following accidents have not significantly altered its functionality.
I have:
- Dropped it (closed, in hibernation, about 3 feet onto concrete)
- Spilled liquid onto the LCD (in tablet mode, water, quickly wiped up, did not affect buttons)
- Frozen it (left it in my car overnight in sub-zero weather)
- Let kids play with it (under a careful, watchful eye – see spilled liquid on it above)
- Repeatedly tried to force the LCD around the wrong way (not to the point of breaking it, obviously)

Its constant use has worn the white from some of the keys, but this isn't a significant drawback, and the keys are still legible enough to discern what letter it is.

Battery life

The built-in power monitor does a great job. I tweaked the power utility a little to dim the screen continuously as power remaining fell. I took the Portege to a Village board meeting and was surprised that it lasted 2+ hours (almost the entire meeting) before it drained the battery. The dimming backlight served as a very useful indicator of low power.

Noise level
I would like to point out that although the Portege is quite quiet, the fan does continue to turn on and off, which can be a distraction. In the Village board meeting, it was noticable but not obnoxious; in the classroom noise is not a factor, nor would it be on, say, an airplane.

Price / Value

I bought my Portege factory-refurbished (with a warranty) for about $1700. This was low priced for a tablet PC when I bought it - the prices have since come down considerably. Personally, I think it is worth the money.

Summary

I am very happy with my Portege. Although initially disappointed by its lack of CD/DVD and stylus super-sensitivity, I have gotten over it. I find it useful, hardy, cool, and a useful tool that I use practically every day. I am proud to show it off to people, and it continues to turn heads in airports, etc. Although I don’t use all the features, (E.G. Infrared) I am glad those features exist. I would unreservedly recommend it.

Recommended:
Yes