Toshiba Satellite A205-S4617

The Toshiba Satellite A205-S4617 features 1.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 processor, 250 GB hard drive, 2 GB RAM (max), dual-layer DVD/CD burner with Labelflash printing, Intel 4965 AGN wireless LAN connects to draft 802.11n routers (as well as 802.11a/b/g); Intel GMA 950 video card, Connectivity: 4 USB, 1 FireWire, 1 VGA, 1 S-Video, 1 headphone, 1 microphone, 1 ExpressCard 34/54, Bright 15.4-inch LCD stylishly accented with an onyx blue metallic LCD cover, and it’s pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities).

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Toshiba Satellite A205-S4617 Reviews

InfoSync reviews the Toshiba Satellite A205-S4617 (rating: 7.4/10) and writes;

” If you’re looking for an affordable laptop with an HD-DVD drive, the Satellite A205 is a good deal, assuming the HD-DVD format doesn’t die a slow death in 2008. While ideally we’d like to see 1080p and an HDMI out port, this is still a solid entry in 15.4-inch mainstream notebook category with the bonus of having a high-definition optical drive. Pros: HD-DVD drive, great price, attractive paint job. Cons: 720p instead of 1080p, VGA instead of HDMI, paint scratches/smudges easily.”
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CNET reviews the Toshiba Satellite A205-S4617 and writes;

“Using the Satellite A205 for Web surfing, basic productivity, and media playback, it performed well, with no obvious slowdown or stuttering, which included during multitasking scenarios. The Satellite A205-S4617 ran for 2 hours, 8 minutes on our DVD battery drain test, using the included six-cell battery. That’s acceptable for a laptop of this size, but not as impressive as the Dell E1505, which lasted almost 30 minutes longer. Our DVD battery drain test is especially grueling, so you can expect longer life from casual Web surfing and office use… The bottom line: Toshiba adds faster Draft N Wi-Fi to this attractive if otherwise fairly conventional laptop. Just be sure you’ve got an 802.11n router to go along with it.”

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NotebookReview reviews the Toshiba Satellite A205-S4617 and writes;

“I really enjoy the mix of the trendy design, with the durable underlying structure of the Satellite A205. All of the key components are protected very well, including the display which can easily be the most expensive part to repair if damaged. Performance on this specific configuration was more than acceptable for my needs, but would not be able to even consider any serious gaming. A great use I found for this laptop was a portable media station, playing much of my HD content with ease, as well as having plenty of storage for the large files. Pros: Nice bright screen with good color reproduction, Very large 250gb storage, Quiet CPU fan, Nice sleek design. Cons: Computer gets quite warm, might not be comfortable on bare legs, 2nd HD bay with no connectors, Some bulky included software”

(rating: n/a)

FEATURES

The Basics

* Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 processor has a 1.66 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 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 extra-large 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) 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 2 GB of built-in memory (PC5300, DDR2 SDRAM, 2 x 1024 MB) offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed. It can be expanded to a generous 4 GB, which will enable you to handle video editing, graphics-intensive presentations, and multiple open business productivity applications more efficiently–as well as smoothly play immersive 3-D games.

* DVD/CD Drive: The dual-layer Labelflash 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.

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 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 notebook has a 15.4-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 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 the integrated Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965 AGN LAN 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).

This notebook also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54/34 card slot (replacing the PCMCIA 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 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 ExpressCard 54/34
* 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 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
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, McAfee Internet Security Suite (with 30-day trial), and Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (60-day trial).

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 14.3 x 10.5 x 1.55 (WxDxH) and weighs 6 pounds.

Power
It’s powered by a 4000 mAh 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 A205-S4617 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.