Updated:Friday, January-09-2009

Toshiba Satellite U205 S5067 Review

Tag:ToshibaSatelliteU205S5067 | Toshiba Satellite U205 S5067 | Toshiba Satellite U205 S5067 Laptop | Toshiba Satellite U205 S5067 Notebook

Toshiba Satellite U205-S5067 12.1" Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7200, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, SuperMulti DVD Drive, Vista Premium)
Toshiba Satellite U205 S5067 Laptop

Features and Technical Details

Features

    * Ultra-portable 4-pound notebook PC with 12.1-inch LCD; 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 processor
    * 160 GB hard drive, 2 GB installed RAM (4 GB max), multi-format/dual-layer DVD drive (8x DVD+/-R)
    * Connectivity: 3 USB, 1 FireWire, 1 VGA, 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: 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo
    * System Bus Speed: 667
    * Number of Processors: 2
    * RAM: 2000 MB
    * RAM Type: DDR2 SDRAM

Hard Drive

    * Size: 160 GB
    * Manufacturer: Portable
    * Type: Serial ATA

Ports and Connectivity

* Modem: Fax / modem

Cases and Expandability

* Size (LWH): 8.86 inches, 1.37 inches, 11.8 inches

Description
Weighing just over 4 pounds, the ultra-portable Toshiba Satellite U205-S5067 notebook PC packs in an extraordinary amount of power and productivity into its elegant, compact package. The 12.1-inch widescreen display offers TruBrite technology for optimal image clarity and a 1280 x 800 resolution for extra desktop working space and a widescreen aspect ratio for watching letterboxed DVDs. Designed for road warriors, it's packed with Toshiba's exclusive LifeSmart Technology, a set of features that elevate system performance, durability and security with shock-absorbing technologies to protect the hard drive, a spill-resistant keyboard, fingerprint security, and a magnesium alloy case.

It's powered by the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which offers a 20 percent performance boost over its predecessor while using 28 percent less power--so you get the benefit of a powerful dual-core PC plus all the benefits of mobility. The dual-execution core T7200 Core 2 Duo processor provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance, and it features a 2.0 GHz speed, lightning quick 667 MHz system bus, and massive 4 MB L2 cache. Other features include a 160 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), tri-mode 802.11a/b/g wireless connectivity, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with up to 196 MB of shared video RAM, and 5-in-1 memory card reader.

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 2 Duo T7200 processor has a 2.0 GHz processor speed, super-fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and an enormous 4 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 2 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 Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. 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. Some of the advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include:
          o Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth to provide data to the processor when and where it is needed.
          o Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.
          o Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core to help save power.
          o Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during periods of inactivity to lower CPU voltage.

    * Hard Drive: The 160 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) is about double the average in size for notebook PCs. It provides more than enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software and allows for a good-sized digital media library. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
    * Memory: The 2 GB of built-in memory (PC4200, DDR2 SDRAM) is a very 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: 2.4x DVD+R DL, 2x DVD-R DL, 8x for both single-layer DVD+R/-R, 4x DVD+RW, 4x DVD-RW, 3x 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 84-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 has a 12.1-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 196 MB of shared video memory. It offers a VGA hook-up for connecting to a monitor and headphone/microphone jacks.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This laptop 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 fairly basic offering of connectivity options:

    * 3 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 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 (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card)

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 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, Microsoft Office OneNote 2007, InterVideo WinDVD 8 SD and Creator 2 Platinum, Google Desktop and Toolbar, McAfee Internet Security Suite (with 30-day trial), and Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (60-day trial).

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 11.8 x 8.9 x 1.4 inches and weighs 4.1 pounds.

Power
It's powered by a 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery (4700 mAh), which has a battery life of up to 4.5 hours (depending on usage). It has a recharge time of approximately 3 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the U205-S5067 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 jb
I am a scholar-researcher who is often on the road, relying on WiFi for email, and vitally dependent on a good laptop for multimedia presentations. I have owned seven laptops over the past 20 years, and so when I searched to upgrade my 3-year old Dell (eight pounds!) I wanted power and mobility above all. This is the smallest, most powerful computer available for the money--some $300-$500 less than comparably equipped systems by other makers. The 4.1 pounds is amazing -- the size of a hardcover book (smaller than 9 x 12, and less than and inch and a half thick). This smallness does NOT sacrifice power, and the Toshiba comes out ahead of comparable systems in processing speed and other benchmarks, but there are sacrifices: a smaller keyboard than the preferred industry standard IBM-LENOVO laptops, and a smaller screen than the luxuriously huge gaming and multimedia machines by Sony and most other makers. Those systems average 6-8 pounds or more, and they are heavily dependent on plug-in power; this one will run more than 3 hours on a battery, and while it can do anything, it did take some initial adjustment to manage with smaller function keys, and the smaller screen. After a few weeks though, you don't even notice the difference: my work is graphics intensive, and this screen is bright and brilliant, and it adjusts to multiple angles to make even the most tight seating arrangement a reasonable work space. And with such a light laptop, you don't get the main problem I had with my Dell (twice the weight): lap numbness, caused by excessive weight, and the intense heat. This laptop was constructed to pass the heat through dual fans on either side of the laptop, so there is little noticeable heat even after hours of work. So I would rate this machine the first true laptop ever. Amazing.

One other feature not mentioned by other reviewers: all ports (USB, PC-MIA, etc.) are on the sides of the laptop (just two--headphones and microphone) are on the front, near a conveniently placed volume control, and (this is cool) a switch to turn Wifi connections on/off. None are on the back. So you can plug in while working on the system. This is a small ergonomic issue, but one I have come to love.

By Mark Longo
I just purchased this laptop to replace my dying 5 year-old, 6 pound laptop. After lugging that thing around for so long, I knew that I wanted the replacement to be smaller. But, when I looked at some of the tiny VAIOs and Lenovo ThinkPads, it quickly became obvious that when a laptop shrinks from 4 pounds down to 3 pounds or less, it becomes exponentially more expensive and also terribly underpowered. Most of the VAIOs and Thinkpads were barely more powerful than my old laptop. So I finally opted for the Toshiba, and I am very glad that I did. This thing is a beast that can handle anything I throw at it and more. Also, not only is it 4 pounds, but it is much narrower and thinner than my old laptop, allowing me to easily carry it in a shoulder bag. I just carried the Satellite in my bag throughout an entire conference and I hardly even noticed it. That's perhaps the best praise I can give it. In a nutshell, small but powerful. If you are looking at the VAIOs and ThinkPads, save your money and get the more powerful Satellite instead.

Source:Toshiba Satellite U205 S5067 Review

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