Updated:Thursday, January-08-2009

Toshiba Satellite M105 S3004 Review

Tag:ToshibaSatelliteM105S3004 | Toshiba Satellite M105 S3004 | Toshiba Satellite M105 S3004 Laptop | Toshiba Satellite M105 S3004 Notebook

Toshiba Satellite M105-S3004 14.1" Laptop (Intel Core Duo Processor T2300, 1024 MB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD SuperMulti Drive)

Toshiba Satellite M105 S3004 Laptop

Features and Technical Details
Features

    * Stylish business notebook with 14.1-inch LCD; 1.67 GHz Intel Core Duo T2300 with 2 MB L2 cache
    * 100 GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM (2 GB max), dual-layer/multi-format DVD burner
    * Four USB 2.0, one FireWire, one VGA, one S-Video, one PCMCIA
    * Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (128 MB of shared RAM); tri-mode 802.11a/b/g wireless connectivity
    * Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

Processor, Memory, and Motherboard

    * Hardware Platform: PC
    * Processor: 1.66 GHz
    * System Bus Speed: 667

Hard Drive

* Manufacturer: Portable

Ports and Connectivity

* Modem: Fax / modem

Description

Stay productive while you're on the go from office to airport to client meeting (and back again) with the Toshiba Satellite M105-S3004 laptop PC--packing today's leading-edge mobile technology into a nicely light and ergonomic design that's easily portable. It's powered by Intel's new, groundbreaking processor--the powerful Core Duo T2300--which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance and a more efficient power consumption. The dual execution core T2300 has a 1.67 GHz processor speed and 2 MB L2 cache.

This multimedia powerhouse is loaded with the Windows XP Media Center operating system, which enables you to save TV programming and save shows to the hard drive or burn to DVD via the dual-layer, multi-format DVD burner. It also includes built-in Harman Kardon stereo speakers that produce pristine virtual surround sound. It also features a 14.1-inch widescreen display with TruBrite technology for optimal image clarity, 100 GB hard drive, integrated 54g wireless connectivity, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with up to 128 MB of shared video RAM, Toshiba's exclusive Express Media player that bypasses the Windows system to play DVDs and CDs, fingerprint reader, remote control, and Windows XP Home edition operating system.

The Basics

* Hard Drive: A welcome size for road warriors, the 100 GB hard drive is definitely above average in size for notebook PCs--great for storing a digital medial library or graphics-intensive presentations--and faster than average at 5400 RPM. This Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
* Processor: The intel Core Duo T2300 processor is built with the Mobile Intel 945GM Express chipset, and it has a 1.67 GHz processor speed, super-fast 667 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, 3D and 2D modeling, video editing, digital music, digital photography and gaming.
    * Memory: The 1 GB of built-in memory (PC4200, DDR2 SDRAM) is an excellent start for power users, and it offers a very fast 533 MHz speed. It has two memory slots that can handle up to 2 GB of RAM, enabling you to add more power to handle graphics-intensive presentations and multiple open business productivity applications.
    * CD/DVD 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, 2x DVD-R DL, 4x for both DVD+R/RW, 8x DVD-R, 2x DVD-RW, 5x DVD-RAM, and 24x/10x 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).

A/V Features
With Toshiba's unique Express Media Player, you can won't have to wait for Windows to boot up before you can start a DVD movie or CD. Just a simple press of the button bypasses the system and starts your media playing.

Screen, Graphics and Sound
The M105-S3004 has a 14.1-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 128 MB of shared video memory. It also features an integrated audio card with headphone and microphone jacks.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The M105-S3004 has an integrated tri-mode Atheros 802.11a/b/g wireless-LAN that enables you to easily connect at wireless hotspots wherever you roam You get a fairly basic 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

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Gigabit Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. Additionally, it enables you to control your television with the included remote and record and pause programs (much like a DVR--or digital video recorder--such as Tivo or ReplayTV). It's compatible with cable, digital cable, satellite TV and antenna inputs, and it includes an FM tuner. It also comes preloaded with Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office OneNote 2003, McAfee AntiVirus, InterVideo WinDVD and WinDVD Creator, Sonic Solutions RecordNow.

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 13.5 x 9.55 x 1.5 (WxDxH) and weighs 8.5 pounds.

Power
It's powered by a 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery (4700 mAh), which has a battery life of up to 5.5 hours (depending on usage). It has a recharge time of 3 to 3.5 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the M105-S3004 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 jesse
The keyboard is very consistant and feels great but has some strangly placed keys. The Tilde and windows keys are good examples.

The "pointer buttons" are very easy to press compared to the current Compaq and HP laptops which make a very loud click.

The screen is prefectly clear but not as nice as Compaqs or HPs. It's harder to see from angles.

The Built in speakers are perfectly adequate for light music playing and the volume dial on the front edge is a neat touch.

There is a built in dvd player so you don't have to boot up to an OS to play a dvd but the volume over the built in speakers is too low, even maxed out. The controls below the screen arn't media buttons, they are for the dvd player!

Which bring me to one complaint. There are no programmable media buttons.

The leds on the front are quite bright in a dark room and don't go off when you suspend. Infact, the power led flashes slowly and can light up a wall. I recommend keeping an extra pair of underwear to throw over them. (-;

The laptop is nice and quiet except intermittently the cpu fan will come on for no reason.

Overall the laptop feels very solid and the only thing I have not really tested are the battery discharge times.

The only OS I tested this with is Ubuntu Linux and everything worked out of the box except for the flash card reader; There is supposedly a driver in the works for that. I have not tested 3D support.

I paid 1000 for it at Fry's since I bought the display version which was the only one left in stock. The sticker price was 1100.

If I we're allowed a real rating ststem, I would give this laptop 4.5 stars.

Source:Toshiba Satellite M105 S3004 Review

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