Toshiba Satellite A205-S4639 15.4" Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5300, 2 GB RAM, 280 GB Hard Drive, SuperMulti DVD Drive, Vista Ultimate)

I had a Dell 4 about 4 years & it finally died after a not-so-good life so I was definitely ready 2 have a real excuse 2 get a new computer. I wanted 2 make sure I didn't make the mistake I did the first time (buying a crappy computer) so I made sure & did lots of research. I went 2 a few technology sites & checked editors reviews, checked customer reviews, & found out exactly what I wanted in a computer. This had every single thing except 4 one. I did want Bluetooth, but I actually was able 2 get it 4 $10 on sale so it was cheaper anyway. It had a bigger hard drive than I was going 2 get, it has two hard drives so it's not 4200rpm like other laptop's with big hard drives. It has everything I've ever wanted in a computer, except 4 Vista. I like it 4 the most part but there are a couple little bugs that annoy me.

One is sometimes randomly(or I'm not sure what causes it) when I'm clicking on something on a website, the start menu pops up & then every link after that opens a new tab in firefox, even using the back button in the browser opens a new tab, then I have 2 restart firefox which is kind of irritating. I thought there was something else but I can't think of it.

I've had it 4 about a month & I love it, I didn't get it from Amazon though, I actually found it at another popular computer store 4 $1299 but it's not on their website anymore & I never saw it in stores. It works with my printer that is about 5 years old & all the old programs I've had so I haven't had problems with Vista like some people have had.

Well i just bought this laptop last week & i absolutly love it. I mean i really don't understnad why people don't like vista...I mean i don't call myself a computer nerd or anything....but it seems 2 do everything i need it 2 do as an almost college student...it runs everything i want it to. I have used XP & Mellenium....I hated mellenium...but thats a different story...but i love this laptop. The screen is beautful....the battery could last a tad bit longer but other than that i deffinatly would recommend this 2 anyone who is buying a new laptop. The wireless internet can reach where my freinds laptops could not, i'm not sure thats a laptop or the wireless router but if its the laptop then thats deffiantly a plus...Well i hope you all find this helpful & i would deffiantly recommend you buy this!

This is an excellent computer. It came with everything I needed 2 get it going.

I'm glad I bought this computer.

Remarkable piece of hardware & at a very good price. WOuld have been five stars had I been able 2 get it with XP Pro instead of Vista.

Unfortunately,I am too old 2 learn yet another O/S, so I've had 2 waste days figuring out how 2 "un-Vista" it & make it more akin 2 XP. I even bought it a copy of XP PRO (full retail version) & I intend 2 revert 2 XP PRO as soon as it arrives.

Excellent machine tho. Superior 2 the Dells & Winbooks that I've been buying.

I didn't find any bitlocker installation tool as described in the Amazon review. In fact I tried 2 set up bitlocker, which requires you 2 partition the hard disk & then reinstall the OEM software. The problem is that when you go through all this trouble, the OEM software promptly deletes all the partitions you have set up & simply returns you 2 a factoy install which has only one partition. So the bottom line is that I can't use bitlocker, one of the reasons I purchased this computer. I suppose that I could go out & buy a copy of Genuine Microsoft Vista 2 set up bitlocker but this is $$$ & how would I get the other OEM software reinstalled? This is the reason I didn't give five stars. Other than this problem, I am very happy with the product.

I used the bitlocker setup instructions from the Amazon purchased book;

Special Edition Using Microsoft Vista

Published by Que

Written by Robert Cowart & Brian Knittel

Page 1178

If Toshiba included bitlocker instructions with this computer they did a good job of hiding it.

Optimized 4 everyday use, the Satellite A205-S4639 is loaded with a 15.4-inch diagonal widescreen TruBrite display, 6 CD & DVD control buttons 4 instant media access, better spacing of its four USB ports 2 accommodate larger peripherals & Intel's latest mobile technology. Toshiba's DVD SuperMulti drive lets you burn high quality labels directly onto Labelflash media. 280GB 4200rpm Hard Drive (120GB +160GB) Optical Drive - DVD-SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) with Labelflash drive Intel Wireless LAN WiFi Link 4965 AGN (802.11a/g/n) Input Devices - 85 key US keyboard, TouchPad pointing device, Internet Launch button, CD/DVD Buttons V.92 Modem LAN - 10/100 Audio - Standard stereo speakers, Headphone jack (stereo), Microphone jack (mono) AC Adapter - 65W (19V 3.42A) Auto-sensing, 100-240V / 50-60Hz input 1-Type II PC Card Slot 1-ExpressCard Slot 5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter, Integrated Webcam & Microphone Media Port - 4-USB 2.0 Slots, i.Link IEEE-1394, S-Video TV-out Operating System - Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium Dimensions - Width 14.3 x Depth 10.5 x Height 1.32-1.55 inch Weight - 6.29 pounds

Stylishly accented with an onyx blue metallic LCD cover, the Toshiba Satellite A205-S4607 notebook PC is a great blend of multitasking productivity, multimedia prowess, & efficiently powered portability. It features Intel's 4965 AGN wireless LAN, which will connect 2 draft 802.11n routers & offers compatibility with 802.11a/b/g networks as well. The large, bright 15.4-inch XGA-resolution LCD (1280 x 800) is perfect 4 viewing multiple application screens or watching widescreen movies on DVD. It's also great 4 using as a media center, with Toshiba's unique Express Media Player enabling you 2 bypass the system & access CDs & DVDs with a touch of button. The dual-layer/multi-format DVD drive also burns CDs, & can print labels directly onto discs with the integrated Labelflash functionality.

This notebook is powered by the 1.73 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5300 processor (with 533 MHz front-side bus), 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. It provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture 4 improved multitasking performance. It features an extra-large 280 GB capacity (from dual 120 & 160 GB hard drives), 2 GB of installed RAM (max capacity), Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with up 2 256 MB of shared video memory, an ExpressCard slot, & a 5-in-1 memory card reader. And the integrated WebCam (with built-in microphone) enables easy video conferencing via VoIP & video IM chats.

It comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities 4 turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition 2 easily playing your DVD movies & managing your digital audio library, you'll be able 2 record & watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, & offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

• Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T5300 processor has a 1.73 GHz processor speed, fast 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB), & large 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; & a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU & RAM, & 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 4 multitasking & is ready 2 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:

  • Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth 2 provide data 2 the processor when & where it is needed.
  • Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed 4 instructions used widely in multimedia & graphics applications.
  • Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology & idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core 2 help save power.
  • Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data 2 system memory during periods of inactivity 2 lower CPU voltage.

• Hard Drive: This notebook offers a total of 280 GB storage from a dual Serial ATA hard drive array--a primary 120 GB drive & a secondary 160 GB drive. It provides more than enough capacity 4 storing documents & productivity software & allows 4 a good-sized digital media library. These SATA hard drives also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin 2 FireWire & 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 2 a generous 4 GB, which will enable you 2 handle video editing, graphics-intensive presentations, & 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 & DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, & dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up 2 8.5 GB of data--great 4 backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x DVD+R DL, 4x DVD-R DL, 8x 4 both single-layer DVD+R/-R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 5x DVD-RAM, & 24x/16x 4 CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x & 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 4 data recording. Enjoy transparency & high-quality not found in traditional printable media. All you need is a Labelflash DVD disc 2 start labeling without a printer.

• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 85-key keyboard & electro-static two-button touchpad. It also offers a launch button 4 the Express CD/DVD media player & 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 4 high-definition viewing). It also provides TruBrite technology, which makes images brighter & more vivid thanks 2 its anti-glare feature. Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce Go 7300 graphics card, which delivers stunning, HD video--up 2 1080i resolution--and ultra-realistic gaming effects with 128 MB of dedicated graphics memory. It offers full support 4 Microsoft DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 & true high dynamic-range (HDR) lighting. Nvidia's exclusive TurboCache technology allows direct rendering from the GPU 2 system memory by leveraging the bi-directional PCI Express bandwidth.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready 4 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 2 five times the performance & twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers & Wi-Fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great 4 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, & lighter expansion cards 4 even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, & security features. Here's the full list of connectivity options:

• 4 USB 2.0 ports 4 connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras 2 MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port 4 connecting digital video camcorders & 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) & an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Fast Ethernet connection 2 networks & DSL/cable modems).

Operating System
The Windows Vista Ultimate operating system has it all--an advanced, business-focused infrastructure, mobile productivity, & premium home digital entertainment features. It offers all of the features found in Windows Vista Home Premium, including Windows Media Center, Windows Movie Maker with high-definition support, & Windows DVD Maker. It also provides all of the features found in Windows Vista Business, including business networking, centralized management tools, & advanced system backup features. In addition, Windows Vista Ultimate includes Extras such as:

• Windows Hold'em, a poker game 4 players of all skill levels
• Language packs 4 Windows multi-language interface, where users can install & use multiple languages on a single PC. Great 4 multi-lingual households or if you are learning a new language.
• Secure Online Key Backup, where Ultimate users can store their BitLocker recovery password & Encrypting File System certificate on Windows Marketplace's Digital Locker website 4 access 2 the key anytime, anyplace, & from any computer that has an Internet connection
• BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool, an automated tool which removes the complexity of setting up your PC 2 use this exclusive data security feature.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools & technologies 2 help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting 2 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 2 manage & monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, & other activities.

Preloaded Software
Toshiba software includes Disc Creator, Recovery Disc Creator, & Speech System. Third-party software titles include Microsoft Works 8.5, InterVideo WinDVD 8 SD, Google Desktop & Toolbar, McAfee Internet Security Suite (with 30-day trial), & Microsoft Office 2007 Home & Student Edition (60-day trial).

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

Power
It's powered by a 4000 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of up 2 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-S4639 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, & operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.