Product Description

Toshiba Satellite A205-S5841 15.4 in Laptop. Optimized for everyday use, the affordable Satellite A205, with 15.4 in diagonal widescreen TruBrite display, is loaded with a PC wish list of features. Intels latest mobile technology offers efficient use of power and speed for multitasking and multimedia. Redesigned for looks and convenience, the Satellite A205 offers an attractive Onyx Blue Metallic case, six CD/DVD control buttons for instant media access, and better spacing of its four USB ports to accommodate larger peripherals. This model also offers a DVD SuperMulti plus/minus R double layer with Labelflash drive, for burning high quality labels directly onto Labelflash media. Stay connected with with the integrated 802.11b/g wireless card.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1449 in Personal Computers
• Brand: Toshiba
• Model: A205-S5841
• Dimensions: 10.60" h x 1.32" w x 14.30" l, 6.00 pounds
• CPU: Intel Core Duo 1.73 GHz
• Memory: 2000MB DDR2 SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 160GB
• Processors: 2
• Display size: 15.4

Features

• Bright 15.4-inch LCD stylishly accented with an onyx blue metallic LCD cover
• 1.73 GHz Intel Pentium T2370 dual-core processor, 160 GB hard drive, 2 GB RAM (max), dual-layer DVD drive (with Labelflash disc printing)
• 54g Wi-Fi (802.11b/g); 10/100 Ethernet; Intel GMA X3100 graphics (up to 256 MB of available memory)
• Connectivity: 4 USB, 1 FireWire, 1 VGA, 1 S-Video, 1 headphone, 1 microphone, 1 ExpressCard 34/54
• Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities)

Amazon.com Product Description
Stylishly accented with an onyx blue metallic LCD cover, the Toshiba Satellite A205-S5841 notebook PC is a great blend of multitasking productivity, multimedia prowess, and efficiently powered portability. It features a large, bright 15.4-inch XGA-resolution LCD (1280 x 800)--perfect for viewing multiple application screens or watching widescreen movies on DVD. 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. The dual-layer DVD±RW drive (with LabelFlash disc printing) also burns CDs.

This notebook is powered by the 1.73 GHz Intel Pentium T2370 dual-core processor, which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance. It also includes a 160 GB hard drive, 2 GB of RAM (maximizing capacity), 54g Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g), and Intel GMA X3100 video card with up to 256 MB of shared video RAM. 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 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 1.73 GHz Intel Pentium T2370 dual-core processor delivers additional computing resources and help expand the PC’s capabilities by providing higher throughput and simultaneous computing. You'll be able to perform multiple tasks such as digital rendering and gaming all while running virus scan or other background tasks seamlessly. Each core shares 1 MB of L2 cache, and they have a 533 MHz front-side bus. (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.)

• Hard Drive: The 160 GB hard drive (5400 RPM) offers enough to room to hold a digital audio library of over 26,000 songs and still have room left over for movies, games, and a large collection of software. This Serial ATA (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 1024 MB, PC2-5300) maximizes the capacity for this PC. It also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed.

• 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 86-key keyboard 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 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 X3100, which uses shared video memory (up to 256 MB allocated from the system memory) and provides Windows Vista Aero interface support and enhanced 3D graphics performance--delivering over 2x scores on 3DMark 06. Intel Clear Video Technology provides outstanding video playback with sharper image quality, increased clarity, and customizable color controls. It also enables enhanced visual quality of interlaced content on progressive displays.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This notebook has an integrated Atheros 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. 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
• Microphone/line-in and stereo headphones/speakers/line-out
• RJ-45 port for 10/100 Ethernet connection
• 56K modem port (V.90)

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit version) 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 9.0, Google Desktop and Picasa, Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5, Norton 360 All-in-One Security (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 inches (WxDxH, and it weighs 6 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 A205-S5841 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.

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Customer Reviews

Excellent machine for $ - some procs and cons
Bought it from Costco $599+tx+shipment.
2 gm of ram, 4 usb ports, SD card reader, S video, builtin wireless card - all here. I was scared by reviews here that machine does not have all those components.
keyboard is VERY COMFORTABLE by placement and by 'press feeling' for fingers, very good keyboard - perfect size of the buttons too. No comparison to terrible DELL machines Inspiron 1525 or HPs.

The screen is SUPERB - bright, clear pixels, excellent sharpness of font. Again, I compare to machines that I have tried for last month - DELL, Sony, HP in range of 1000-1100$.
I like color - silver and black - that 'feels' better than just black on black. I see smbd is smiling - color is not important...
It also has the port for cameras' usb and PCI 2.0 card reader.
battery life - first use from full charge - almost 3.5 hours and it is 50%.

Cons
I have tried many machines and most with Vista have kind of 'red shadow' for each letter on some web sites, dell.com for example. this screen does not have such defect. I'm not sure whether it had been caused by Vista and video card, or VIDEO CARD and LCD for other machines.

It is a little bit 'bulky' in comparison with new machines that have the same characteristics and price range but it does not matter for me.
There is no 'mouse bullet' on keyboard, as IBM or Dell Latitude have. I got used to it but from ergonomics it is not healthy and it might be good that this machine does not have it.
It heated faster than other machines that I have tried.
the screen is 15.4 but by height is lower than my Latitude Dell C830 (5 years old machine). However, on a positive note, it is very convenient to work with this screen as by design it is 'lowered' a bit - the screen goes lower than keyboard which creates better view from top to bottom for eyes.
Vista - so far it did not 'bluescreened' on me which it did for DELL and HP, and I have to mention - many times.

I am not sure about Toshiba support. I have heard it does not exist...
But if something goes wrong with this machine in a year or so COstco supposed to take care of repairs for first year. For me it is sufficient.
I don't want to put 500$ or so for support that DELL or IBM are providing - better to buy another machine for such price...
Really like the machine.
SCREEN and KEYBOARD are the best that I have tried so far.
Great powerful machine for only $649(total cost).

Toshiba A205-S5841
I actually bought this laptop in April of this year (2008) but my original review never made it on Amazon.com.....sooo,I guess I'll try again.

Anyway,if you're looking for a gaming laptop,Keep looking.This computer wasn't designed for that purpose.If you're looking for a inexpensive general purpose laptop then this is it.In the five weeks I've had it,I have had NO problems with it whatsoever.

I have always considered Toshiba as one the better laptop brands,and this one shows why.Yeah,they have higher models (with 17" screens,dual hard drives and gaming video cards),but I didn't need any of that.

Long story short:I like this laptop computer alot.

Great Machine! Toshiba Quality. Intel Chip
I am hypercritical about the quality of everything I buy so this basic laptop exceeded my expectations. I never play video games, so this is a perfect home use machine. I was encouraged by a computer tech friend to avoid the AMD chip, and was pleased to see that this model uses Intel.

~ On sale for $429
~ Super bright screen
~ Fast boot up time
~ Very good DVD playing quality
~ Intel dual chip