The multimedia laptop for travel
Written: Dec 18 '01
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Pros: Smart Media Slot, IEEE 1394 (Firewire) port, thin, light, removable DVD/CD-RW drive.
Cons: No PS/2 or Serial ports, weak software bundle, Windows ME (upgraded to Windows XP Home)
The Bottom Line: If you¡¦re considering a multimedia laptop without the weight or even considering a more versatile replacement from your ultra compact laptop, the Satellite 30005-S403 will fit the bill.
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| lavoisier's Full Review: Toshiba Satellite 3005-S403 (PS300U-099CJHD) PC No... |
When I saw how many laptops Toshiba compared to Dell sold, I knew that the Toshiba would really offer reliable laptop computers. Because I knew quite a few friends that had Dell laptops before and they had several issues with theirs, from faulty hardware to even repetitive corrupt operating systems or BIOS. Well for a laptop, I was looking for things such as easy to carry without the weight and yet very versatile. Basically what I was looking for was a laptop between the ultra compacts and the all-in-one units.
This is because with many of those ultra compact laptops, people have to carry an external floppy drive, because they usually require that for saving my text files for letters, resumes and important documents. With the extra cable that is usually required by the proprietary IDE cable, it actually takes up more workspace than those all-in-one laptops. Although I like the versatility of the all-in-one laptops, but many people find them rather heavy at least 7lbs and they tend to be too thick to even carry the laptop from place to place, particularly from the park bench to the library.
So many people investigated their options from Dell and Toshiba, but what I found Dell rather shocking is the price compared with the Toshiba. With the Dell, all had to pay extra for shipping (except during the periods for Free Shipping Promotions) and I compared the Satellite 3005-S403 with the Dell Inspiron 4000, since it・s a 2-spindle design, not because of price. In comparison with the Toshiba and Dell, many found that Dell Inspiron 4000 costs me about $200-300 more than the similarly equipped Toshiba Satellite 3005-S403. As a result, I purchased the Toshiba instead of the Dell; despite support quality is about the same, due to Dell・s cutbacks.
Initial Reaction
When I bought the laptop, it came in a box at the retail store and I opened it up to test in store, so that in case the laptop maybe one of those faulty units, I can get another unit immediately. But the one that I happened to have worked perfectly, in addition, there wasn・t any physical damage to the case, which may cost my investment. Once I got the laptop running, I first loaded Windows ME to the system and it ran perfectly. After three and a half months of use, there hasn・t been a hardware breakdown or even a collapse of the operating system. However, when I purchased the laptop, I took the opportunity to accept the upgrade certificate to the Windows XP, since I・ve purchased this just before Windows XP was launched and this laptop had all the requirements to operate the Windows XP.
With the 1GHz processor combined with 256MB of SDRAM, I can feel reassured that my laptop will not slow me down, when the workload becomes heavy. Even DVD movies haven・t skipped or lagged, because DVD movies require more processor power and memory to upload the image to the screen. Even in working with everyday word processing, excel and Internet, it still doesn・t slow me down. Especially with CD creation, I still didn・t experience any major slowdown of the laptop computer. I think this is all because of the Speedstep technology that the Intel Pentium 3 offers here. It ensures that it only requires the full potential of the CPU whenever required, therefore saving the battery.
For storage, it is equipped with a 30GB hard drive and a 4x CD-RW. With the CD Rewriter drive, it allows me to periodically back up my hard drive economically. Despite the rather slow CD Rewriter that it offers, it・s still great hardware for a laptop these days, because of the economical storage that CDs offer today. That・s in addition to the DVD ROM capability in just one CD ROM drive, meaning that this laptop offers a CD-RW/DVD Combo drive. In addition, it・s removable to accommodate a 2nd hard drive for loads of storage, 2nd battery for longer battery runtime, even slide in a 3.5； floppy disk drive in there for small backups. However, Toshiba didn・t include a travel light module for the modular bay, to travel with a lighter laptop.
The 14.1； XGA TFT screen offers an excellent view for my DVD movies; they were crisp and clear, unlike any laptop within this league. With the 16MB video memory from NVIDIA GeForce 2 Go, I can hook the video port to an external monitor to view DVD movies on a big screen or even use a projector to display professional presentations and at a max resolution of 2048x1536 @ 60Hz of non-interlaced video out of the video port, it even allows support for a large spreadsheet or even CAD/CAM projects.
The keyboard is roomy and it provides very smooth typing without pressing the keyboard too hard. The pointing stick (eraser head mouse) is rather annoying though; because of if the stick is released too late, it may lead to lost productivity. However I would recommend investing in a laptop mouse, like the Logitech MouseMan Traveler, which provides an optical mouse for precision pointing without bringing a mouse pad, ideal for air travel, that plugs into the USB port. In addition, the input area also provides a hot key function for shortcuts such as My Computer and e-mail. With the CD player controls, I can even play my CDs, without turning the laptop on or control the playback of my DVD movie.
For expansions and ports, it offers support for 2 Type II or 1 Type III PC card(s) and 2 memory slots for the expansion portion. For the ports, it offers a wireless port, one IEEE 1284 (Parallel port), a video port, 3 USB ports, S-video port for connecting the laptop to the TV or larger display, 56K V.90 modem for dial up Internet and 10/100 Ethernet port for broadband Internet. In addition, it offers an IEEE 1394 (Firewire) port for your digital camcorder and a very unusual slot for your Smart Media memory for your digital cameras, PDAs and MP3 players. For the audio, it offers a microphone port, headphone port and an audio line in for your external speakers.
With battery life, it offered excellent operating time. With about 15 minutes shy of 3 full hours as advertised, it would offer a great operating time for your productivity. Nothing is worse than zero battery during the middle of productivity period in your laptop. With the optional 2nd battery, it basically doubles the battery life of the notebook to about five and a half hours.
With the Windows ME, since there have been controversial issues with regards to operating system instability. However, I had the upgrade certificate to the Windows XP Home edition to add stability to my workspace. The software bundle is rather on the weak side though, with Lotus Smart Suite Millennium, Quicken Basic 2001, McAfee Active Shield to protect from Viruses, MS Internet Explorer and AOL, I find it rather useless since I・m not very familiar with the Lotus Smart Suite Millennium and that I don・t really use AOL for the Internet with this laptop.
Final Words
With the weight of the laptop less than 6lbs. and about 1.4； thickness, this is a very versatile laptop to travel with. With the infinite expandability of the modular bay, it allows me to keep the laptop for a long time without purchasing one maybe 4 years down the road. I would really recommend this laptop to those who want the power of a desktop computer in a laptop, yet a little concerned about the weight and size. I would also recommend this laptop for those who travel with thin and light laptops, yet hate the hassle with the external drives and cables. From this day forth, I will always purchase a Toshiba laptop and for future laptop buyers, you will be pleased with Toshiba laptops.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1950
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium III
Screen Size: 14
RAM: 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 21-30
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Epinions.com ID:
lavoisier
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Member: Hugh Jazz
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Reviews written: 180
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