Toshiba Satellite P205 S6347 Review

Tag:ToshibaSatelliteP205S6347 | Toshiba Satellite P205 S6347 | Toshiba Satellite P205 S6347 Laptop | Toshiba Satellite P205 S6347 Notebook

Toshiba Satellite P205-S6347 17-inch Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5450, 2 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, HD SuperMulti DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

Toshiba Satellite P205 S6347 Features and Technical Details
Toshiba Satellite P205 S6347 Features

    * Powerful notebook for multimedia and business with widescreen 17-inch LCD and integrated Webcam
    * 1.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 processor, 200 GB hard drive, 2 GB RAM (4 GB max), HD DVD-ROM player, dual-layer DVD burner
    * Intel 4965 AGN wireless LAN connects to 802.11n routers (as well as 802.11a/b/g/n); 10/100/1000 Ethernet; Intel GMA 950 video card
    * Connectivity: 4 USB, 1 FireWire, 1 VGA, 1 S-Video, 1 ExpressCard 34/54. 5-in-1 memory card reader
    * Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities)

Processor, Memory, and Motherboard

    * Hardware Platform: PC
    * Processor: 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo
    * System Bus Speed: 667
    * Number of Processors: 2
    * RAM: 2000 MB
    * RAM Type: DDR2 SDRAM

Hard Drive

    * Size: 200 GB
    * Manufacturer: Portable
    * Type: Serial ATA

Ports and Connectivity

    * Modem: Fax / modem

Cases and Expandability

    * Size (LWH): 15.7 inches, 1.42 inches, 11.3 inches
    * Weight: 8.8 pounds

Toshiba Satellite P205 S6347 Description
Replace your desktop PC with the Toshiba Satellite P205-S6347 laptop, featuring all the power and hard drive space you expect from a top-of-the-line desktop but in an easily mobile package. Stylishly accented with an onyx blue metallic LCD cover, this Toshiba Satellite features a large, bright 17-inch XGA-resolution LCD (1440 x 900)--perfect for viewing multiple application screens or watching widescreen movies on DVD. It also incorporates an HD DVD drive that's compatible with the new high-definition DVD disc format. Enjoy amazingly crisp and vibrantly colorful imagery from this new format. You'll also be able to burn a wide range of disc formats with the integrated DVD/CD burner, which also features Labelflash functionality. A 1.3 megapixel digital web camera built into the LCD's bezel lets you quickly snap photos and participate in live video chats.

This notebook is powered by the 1.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 processor from the newest "Santa Rosa" chipset. Providing an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance, as well as excellent battery management, it also offers a 667 MHz front-side bus and 2 MB L2 cache. Other features include a 200 GB hard drive, 2 GB of RAM (4 GB maximum), quad-band Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), 5-in-1 memory card reader, 10-key keypad, biometric fingerprint scanner, and Intel GMA 950 video card with up to 256 MB of shared video memory. Additionally, this Toshiba notebook is RoHS-compatible, effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances.

This PC also 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: Part of 2007's Santa Rosa chipset release, the Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 processor has a 1.66 GHz processor speed, super-fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and 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 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 200 GB Serial ATA hard drive is about double the average size for notebook PCs, however its 4200 RPM speed is a bit slower than current standard hard drives. It provides more than enough capacity for storing documents, digital media files, and video editing 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 2 GB of installed RAM (2 x 1 GB DDR2, PC5300) is an excellent start, but you'll want to add more RAM to handle today's demanding multimedia and productivity suites. It provides two DIMM slots and has a large 4 GB maximum RAM capacity. It also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed.

    * DVD/CD Drive: This Satellite notebook offers the next generation of DVD entertainment with the HD DVD ROM optical drive, which provides the superior image and sound quality of high-definition images and multichannel surround sound as well as backward compatibility with standard DVD movie discs and content burned onto DVD-R/RW, DVD-RAM. It also incorporates a multi-format DVD/CD burner, which is compatible with dual-layer (DL) discs that can hold up to 8.5 GB of data. It features the following speeds: 4x DVD+R DL, 4x DVD-R DL, 8x for both single-layer DVD+R/-R, 4x DVD+RW, 4x DVD-RW, 5x DVD-RAM, and 24x/16x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.

      With the Labelflash functionality, you can burn high-resolution, high-contrast pictures on the label side of DVD discs using the same laser used for data recording. Enjoy transparency and high-quality not found in traditional printable media. All you need is a Labelflash DVD disc to start labeling without a printer.

    * Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a 104-key keyboard--with 10-keypad on the side--and electro-static two-button touchpad. It also offers 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 17-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels (native 720p for high-definition viewing). 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
Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with this notebook's integrated quad-mode Wi-Fi chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward 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). It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54/34 card slot (though no PCMCIA card slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. Here's the full list of connection 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 ExpressCard 54/34 slot
    * Video out: VGA and S-Video
    * 1 headphone jack (1 with S/PDIF digital audio compatibility) and 1 microphone jack
    * Microphone/line-in
    * 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 via Wi-Fi.

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
Microsoft Works 8.5, InterVideo WinDVD 8, Google Desktop and Picasa, Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5, McAfee Internet Security Suite (30-day trial), and Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition (60-day trial).

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 15.7 x 11.3 x 1.83 inches (WxDxH, and it weighs 7.2 pounds.

Power
It comes with a 4000 mAh lithium-ion battery pack for extra-long battery life.

What's in the Box
This package contains the P205-S6347 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 Toshiba Satellite P205 S6347

By Betty Johnson

When the computer arrived and I was ready to get to work, I was quite disappointed with Windows Vista. After calls to Amazon Customer Service, Microsoft and Toshiba, Toshiba finally solved the problem by letting me know that Vista already has a miriade of updates. After installing all the updates, and adding an external mouse, I am adjusting to Vista. DO NOT BUY THIS COMPUTER IF YOU PLAN TO DOWNGRADE TO XP IF YOU DON'T LIKE VISTA! I was told by Toshiba that this unit is not capable of running XP. I did manage to get XP installed but it wouldn't run. I thought of returning the unit to amazon but decided not to when I was told there could be up to a 25% restocking fee. Plus I really didn't want to return the computer. I love the large keyboard and the numeric pad. Vista runs slow it seems at first. What it really is, is a gentler response time so when it takes a second or two for a response it seems to be running slower. It's easy to adjust to if you give it a chance. I like the feel of the keyboard and its apparently solid construction. One of the best parts about this computer is Toshiba's customer service. When you call there, you actually get someone who speaks English even though I detected a European accent of some sort, maybe German or Dutch. Either way, you feel like you are being understood when you speak to Toshiba's customer service. The second time I talked to them, they tried to get me to reformat the hard drive but I wasn't willing to do that. I had already wiped the drive clean to install XP and when it didn't work, I used the recovery discs to start back at square one.

After the initial frustration with Vista (if you're not used to it), I think you will totally enjoy this computer. Especially if you are looking for a desktop replacement. Be prepared to be obligated to use certain software though. I've been using Office 97 (old I know but I like it), and it won't run on this computer, so I tried using MS Works for my charts and graphs - it works,but not as nice as Xcel. If you make allowances for the software, this is a great piece of computer hardware for the price. I also got it because I was waffling between the 6287 and this one - 6337. I couldn't confirm that the 6287 would upgrade to 4 GB of ram so I went with this unit which will take 4GB. Probably necessary for running Vista. A faster processor would probably help the slow issue too. Still it's not hard to get used to. My computer arrived two weeks ago today and I've settled nicely into using it even though the first few days were rather frustrating. The widescreen is wonderful, the keyboard is fabulous, and the solid feel of the unit makes me think it will like last me quite a while!

By Kylie84

I've had this laptop for a month now and it is an EXCELLENT desktop replacement. One of the main reasons why I got it is because I deal with lots of numbers and I just have to have a numeric keyboard. Sure, I can use my USB one, but it is just such a hassle.
17" is great for video viewing and it gives you extra room to work in- very comfortable for the eyes. The speakers are just as great as well.
It is also one of the quietest computers I've ever had- I can't even hear it . I had a Sony laptop from Costco before this and the high pitch sound was driving me so nuts that I had to return it. I was afraid that I will have a similar problem with Toshiba, but luckily I was wrong.
It is surprisingly light. I was very worried that I will have to drag lots of weight around if I need to bring it with me on the road.
The negative side:
The battery life is not very long - 2h MAX! You are working with a 17" after all.
Another main selling point for me was the fingerprint reader, but it turned out to be pretty useless. If you're using Firefox, forget about using it- it only works with IE. Most of the time it takes more than a minute to get it work anyways, so I'm sorry, but you'll have to let go of your dreams of forgetting your passwords and go biometric (for now at least).
Vista can be a bit slow, but it's not that bad. I think every computer on the market right now will have a similar problem anyways (at least until there is better hardware to support all the quirks of Vista ).
Since you're dealing with a 17", you might need to switch to a bigger backpack/carry bag if you want to drag this thing around.

Click here to Read More Reviews...

Source:Toshiba Satellite P205 S6347 Review
Relate:Toshiba Satellite Laptop | Toshiba Satellite Notebook
Previous:
Next:Toshiba Satellite A205 S5852 Review

Leave a Comment

Full name:*

EMail:*

WebSite:*

Comments:*

Human Test: 2 * 2 = * is required field.