Updated:Monday, January-05-2009

Toshiba Satellite A135 S4427 Review

Tag:ToshibaSatelliteA135S4427 | Toshiba Satellite A135 S4427 | Toshiba Satellite A135 S4427 Laptop | Toshiba Satellite A135 S4427 Notebook

Toshiba Satellite A135-S4427 15.4" Widescreen Laptop (Intel Core Duo Processor T2250, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, SuperMulti DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

Toshiba Satellite A135 S4427 Laptop

Features and Technical Details
Features

    * 6-pound notebook with 15.4-inch screen and 1.73 GHz Core Duo T2250 processor
    * 120 GB hard drive, 1 GB installed RAM (4 GB max), multi-format/dual-layer DVD drive (8x DVD+/-R)
    * Connectivity: 4 USB, 1 FireWire, 1 VGA, 1 S-Video, 1 PCMCIA, 5-in-1 memory card reader
    * Tri-mode Wi-Fi LAN (802.11a/b/g), 10/100 Ethernet, Intel GMA 950 video card with up to 256 MB of shared memory
    * Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities)

Processor, Memory, and Motherboard

    * Hardware Platform: PC
    * Processor: 1.73 GHz Intel Core Duo
    * System Bus Speed: 533
    * Number of Processors: 2
    * RAM: 1000 MB
    * RAM Type: DDR2 SDRAM

Hard Drive

    * Size: 120 GB
    * Manufacturer: Portable
    * Type: Serial Attached SCSI

Ports and Connectivity

* Modem: Fax / modem

Cases and Expandability

* Size (LWH): 10.8 inches, 15.5 inches, 1.65 inches
* Weight: 6 pounds

Description

Easily mobile at just 6 pounds, the Toshiba Satellite A135-S4427 makes it easy to get your work done with a large, bright 15.4-inch widescreen LCD. The XGA-resolution screen (1280 x 800) permits side-by-side viewing of documents for increased productivity. It's also great for using as a media center, with Toshiba's unique Express Media Player enabling you to bypass the system and access CDs and DVDs with a touch of button. This affordable notebook PC is powered by Intel's 1.73 GHz Core Duo T2250 processor, which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance and efficient power consumption. It also offers a 120 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), dual-layer/multi-format DVD drive that also burns CDs, integrated tri-mode wireless connectivity (802.11a/b/g), and Intel GMA 950 video card with up to 256 MB of shared video RAM.

It comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

* Processor: The Intel Core Duo T2250 processor is built with the Mobile Intel 945PM Express chipset, and it has a 1.73 GHz processor speed, fast 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and large 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

      The Intel Core Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized for multitasking and is ready to support the next version of Microsoft Windows, code-named Vista. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. It's more efficient, thanks to Intel's Power Coordination and Deeper Sleep, which help to transfer power only to those areas of the processor that need it. It also features Intel's Digital Media Boost, which delivers enhanced performance on floating point-intensive applications such as CAD tools, 3-D and 2-D modeling, video editing, digital music, digital photography and gaming.
    * Hard Drive: The 120 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) is above average in size for notebook PCs. It provides more than enough capacity for storing documents, digital media files, and productivity software. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
    * Memory: The 1 GB of built-in memory (PC4200, DDR2 SDRAM) is a good start for power users, and it offers a decently fast 533 MHz speed. It has two memory slots, enabling you to add up to 4 GB of RAM for worry-free handling graphics-intensive presentations and multiple open business productivity applications. To receive the faster data transfer benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed.
    * DVD/CD Drive: The double-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data--great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x DVD+R DL, 4x DVD-R DL, 8x for both single-layer DVD+R/-R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 5x DVD-RAM, and 24x/16x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.
    * Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 85-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad. It also offers a launch button for the Express CD/DVD media player and control buttons (play, stop, next, previous) as well as a volume control dial.

Screen, Video & Audio
This Toshiba Satellite A105 has a 15.4-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. It also provides TruBrite technology, which makes images brighter and more vivid thanks to its anti-glare feature. Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, which uses Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) and provides up to 256 MB of shared video memory. It also features an integrated audio card with headphone and microphone jacks.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This Toshiba Satellite has an integrated tri-mode Intel 3945ABG wireless LAN, which is compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and wi-fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great for closed office environments). You get a good offering of connectivity options:

    * 4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
    * 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
    * 1 VGA monitor port
    * 1 S-Video out
    * 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type II, PCMCIA R2.01, PC Card16, CardBus)
    * 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack
    * 5-in-1 memory card reader that's compatible with Secure Digital (including SDIO), MMC, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card memory cards

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.92) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Fast Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect to your favorite WiFi hotspot.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Toshiba software includes Disc Creator, Recovery Disc Creator, and Speech System. Third-party software titles include Microsoft Works 8.5, InterVideo WinDVD 8 SD, Google Desktop and Toolbar, Ulead DVD Movie Factory, McAfee Internet Security Suite (with 30-day trial), and Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (60-day trial).

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 14.2 x 10.5 x 1.45 (WxDxH) and weighs 6 pounds.

Power
It's powered by a 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of up to 2.5 hours (depending on usage). It has a 4.5-hour full charging time.

What's in the Box
This package contains the A135-S4427 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.

Helpful Customer Reviews for

By Paul Barwick
After spending a couple of weeks researching the current laptop market for a good general purpose, desktop replacement machine, I discovered the A135-S4427 was being sold at a nationwide chain as an "in store only" special for $200 off the list price. That put it right at the price range I was looking at, and gave me a lot more than I was expecting at that price.

This A135 sports one Gig of ram which one pretty much needs as a minimum these days, and it has a decent size 120 Gig hard drive. It has a nice bright 15.4" widescreen display, and mine has no light leakage or dead pixels. I was afraid that there might be reflection issues with the glossy screen, but it actually has fewer reflections than the matte screen on the machine it replaced.

This model has a very nice DVD burner, and for a laptop the speakers aren't bad. I don't know what inspired the designer to put the speaker/earphone jack in the middle of the front edge, instead of on the side or the back, but that's about my only gripe.

The standard battery leaves a little to be desired, providing only about 2 to 2 1/2 hours running time. I think that for many folks this will be a desktop replacement machine, so that shouldn't be a big issue. A higher capacity battery is available from Toshiba for those who need it.

As others have pointed out, this is not a gamer's machine. But then, I didn't expect it to be. After the research I did I would expect a decent gaming machine to cost somewhere in the neighborhood of twice the list price of this laptop. This machine has a Core Duo processor, rather than the slightly faster Core 2, and like many machines on the market has the GMA950 video card. The serious gamer won't find these acceptable, but for general use they are just fine, and most users won't find the slight jump in performance worth the big jump in price.

What I personally liked most about this laptop was the fact that when I replaced the Windows Vista Home Premium with which it comes with Ubuntu 6.10 Linux, everything worked (with the exception of the built in memory card reader, which is very minor to me). Wireless, screen resolution, everything just worked. No tweaking required. Too cool. A Shout Out too, to Toshiba for including a real Vista backup disc, instead of one of those "hidden partitions" which are becoming so common these days. If and when I ever get around to selling this laptop I will probably load the Vista back onto it for the great uneducated masses who think that Microsoft is the only alter at which to worship.

In summery, this is a nice machine and a good value, especially if you can find it as I did, on sale. It's not the fastest machine out there, nor one with the most advanced video card, but it's not priced in that range either. For someone like me who spends a lot of time surfing the web, watching streaming video, listing to web based radio stations and just general computing, it makes a good, speedy all purpose machine.

By Bruce
I think this is one of the most complete laptops with 1GB ram and 120 GB hard drive, the sound quality is great but the DVD burn speed is just ok.
I would recommend this purchase to anyone.

Source:Toshiba Satellite A135 S4427 Review

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