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5.8 Toshiba·Satellite M45-S331 Review
·Satellite L25-S119 review
| | | Specs:
Processor: Intel Pentium M (1.6GHz)730
RAM: 1 512 MB DDR PC2700 stick/1 slot empty.
Hard drive: Fujitsu 80GB 4200rpm
Optical: Super multi drive DVD±RW / DVD-RAM
Input device: Keyboard, Touchpad, CD controls.
Media Reader: 6in1 Card reader
Weight: 6.2 lbs
Dimensions: 14.2 in x 10.6 in x 1.7 in
Display: 15.4 TFT WXGA (TruBrite)
Max resolution: 1280 x 800
Video RAM installed: Intel Graphics Media Accelarator 900 128MB on chip
Communication: Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2200BG 802.11b/g
Audio: Analog Devices AC'97 Sound 16bit MIC in/Headphone out
Networking: Marvel 10/100 Ethernet
Modem: V.92 56 Kbps Fax / modem
Ports/Slots: RGB, Svideo, 3USB 2.0, RJ11, RJ45, iLink IEEE 1394, 1 PC card slot
Battery installed: 1 Lithium ion 6 cell
Mfr estimated battery life: 2.5 hours
OS provided: Microsoft Windows XP Home
Service & support type: 1 year
Review: I'm not a laptop wizard but I did carefully compare features and prices before I bought my M45-S331 and so far I'm happy with my choice (I've had it about 2 months.
One of my must haves was a DVD+/-RW drive because I experienced how frustrating it was with my old HP computer not being able to write to a dvd. Even if you don't want to make 'movies' on a DVD now, sooner or later you are going to want to be able to write to a DVD, even if it's for nothing more than archiving data. Most models in this price range can only read DVDs.
Another must was the Pentium M 730 processor for its power management capabilities. If you're buying a notebook, don't you want to do all you can to have a longer life battery?
A third must have was a widescreen. True, it's kind of a vanity feature but getting a new notebook with a squarish screen is like getting a new sports car with cloth seats... the day after you buy it you'll wish you'd opted for leather.
One thing that put me over the top in deciding to buy this laptop was seeing how vivid the screen is it is truly amazing. One feature I wanted but couldn't find was a touchpad with a good scrolling capability. You can scroll with this model's touchpad but its kinda tricky.
As for the built-in wireless capability, I got it connected through a linksys wireless G router. I love having the option of picking up the laptop and moving from room to room.
Memory size, 512 MB comes standard which is sufficient for my needs but a good thing is the manufacturer has left a empty slot for an additional memory chip if need be.
The case is sleek and goodlooking. It has little too much plastic feel for my tastes I would have preferred my old HPs clamshell design but overall I am happy with the design.
Weight was a very important factor in my buying decision. My old HP notebook weighed in at a whopping 11 lbs while this notebook weighs in at about 6 lbs with battery.
Reliability has been good so far while I have only owned the notebook for 2 months everything has been working great. Through my research I discovered several issues people had with this notebook. I have since updated the BIOS to 1.6 which in turn has resolved most of the known issues. Mainly the notebook freezing upon connecting and or disconnecting the AC power.
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by dslhater  edited by 2kmaro
last modified: 2005-08-14 00:57:50 | | | Toshiba Satellite L25-S119 features:
Processor Intel Celeron M Processor 370 (Dothan core)
1.5 GHz, 1 MB L2 cache, 400 MHz FSB
Chipset ATI RADEON XPRESS 200M
RAM 256 MB PC4200 DDR2 533 MHz SDRAM
Two slots, maximum total RAM 2 GB
Display 15" TruBrite, 1024 x 768
Hard Disk 60 GB 5400 RPM, user replaceable
Optical drive CD-RW/DVD-ROM (CD 24x, DVD 8x)
Communications 10/100 Base-TX Ethernet
Atheros 802.11b/g wireless LAN
Integrated V.92 software modem
Interfaces 3 USB 2.0 ports
Type II PC Card slot
RGB (monitor) port
S-video out
Headphone jack
Microphone jack
Input devices 84 key US keyboard
TouchPad pointing device
CD/DVD control buttons (skip, play, stop)
Sound Built-in stereo speakers
Battery 4 cell, 2000 mAh Li-Ion battery
Power supply 65 W AC adaptor, 120-240 V, 50-60 Hz
Security Slot for cable lock
Weight Starting at 5.88 pounds
Warranty 1 year
Software Windows XP Home Edition
Toshiba utilities
MS Office OneNote 2003
MS Office Standard 2003 for Students & Teachers 60 day trial
MS Works Version 8.0
McAfee VirusScan 30 day trial
InterVideo WinDVD 5
There are also several variations, numbered L25-S119x, developed for major consumer electronics and computer stores, as follows (unlisted features are the same as the base model, above; XGA screen is non-TruBrite):
1192 1193 1194 1195 1196
Processor 370 1.5 GHz 370 1.5 GHz 360 1.4 GHz 370 1.5 GHz 360 1.4 GHz
RAM 256 MB 512 MB 512 MB 256 MB 256 MB
Screen XGA TruBrite TruBrite TruBrite XGA
Hard disk 40 GB 60 GB 40 GB 60 GB 40 GB
802.11b/g Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Warranty 90 days 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year
Detailed specs for all Toshiba models.
Press release announcing the introduction of the L25 series.
Toshiba Satellite L25-S119 review, December 28, 2005:
The Toshiba Satellite L25-S119 is my first notebook PC. I bought it for occasional traveling and to have a second PC at home. It's a lower-end notebook, as evidenced by its $750 price. It's a pretty nice system, has a 1.5 GHz Celeron M processor, built-in b/g wireless, weighs about 6 pounds, and has a 15" TruBrite screen.
My system came with a single 256 MB memory module. There are two DDR2 SODIMM slots, so I bought a 512 MB module from Kingston to give me a total of 768 MB of RAM. The graphics system uses 64 MB of memory, so I have 704 MB available. The Toshiba spec sheet says the memory can run in dual channel mode; that's incorrect, the system does not support dual channel mode, so don't bother trying to match memory modules. Toshiba recommends using specific Kingston modules, and they're available at a reasonable price direct from Kingston (check-out the special offers).
The supplied battery is only a 4 cell battery, and lasts only about 1.5 hours. Apparently Toshiba provides additional power-management features on their more expensive notebooks, but on this model, there's no way to do things like automatically reduce the screen brightness when on battery power. (The brightness can be changed manually via hotkeys.) I ordered an 8 cell 4300 mAh battery from Toshiba for approximately $100 that should last at least 2.5 hours. The battery has been back-ordered for a few weeks.
I also got a Logitech wireless mini-mouse, since I'll mainly be using the system at home. The mouse receiver plugs into a USB port on the back of the notebook.
The PC can read and write CDs but can only read DVDs. I would have liked to be able to write DVDs, but, again, this is a lower-end notebook.
I was concerned about reflections from the TruBrite screen and was wondering if I should get a PC with a standard non-glare screen instead. It turns out reflections are not a problem. I'd say go and get the TruBrite screen unless you plan to use it in an office with standard florescent ceiling lights.
When you register your new computer with Toshiba, they e-mail a coupon good for a 15% discount on purchases of accessories and service plans. I was very annoyed that it took 3 weeks for them to e-mail the coupon. So be sure to wait for the coupon before ordering expensive accessories or service plans. Also, their web site allows you to enter your model number and get all the compatible accessories. Unfortunately, some of the listed accessories are not compatible. Be sure to double-check compatibility before ordering, even if the Toshiba web site says the accessories are compatible, so you can save the time, effort, and expense of returning any incompatible accessories.
Given the other people in my house, I opted for a three-year accidental damage and extended warranty plan for about $200, after the afore-mentioned 15% discount. These plans have to be purchased within 30 days of purchasing the notebook.
The bottom line is that I'm very happy with this notebook, given the price and how I'm going to use it. I feel it provides more value than the low-end Dell notebooks. I was also able to get a free-after-rebate D-Link wireless b/g router and free-after-rebate Epson color printer with some "bundling" deals.
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by Bobcat edited by 2kmaro
last modified: 2005-12-29 20:01:37 |
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