Dostoevsky

Well as the title may have hinted, I've just purchased a new notebook. It's a Toshiba A75-S226 to be precise.

It has a P4-3.06 GHz processor,
512 Megs of RAM, a 15.4 inch WXGA monitor,
an ATI mobility radeon 9000 graphics card,
60 Gig 4200 rpm hard drive,
CD RW/DVD burner,
5 in 1 Media Slot,
firewire connection and all that other regular stuff including wireless 802.11

I really like it so far. It doesn't run very long on it's battery (3hrs I read) but I plan on having it plugged in most of the time. I'm going over to Croatia in a few days to play basketball and I really need a portable desktop computer. That's why I went with this one. Got it at best buy for 1500-150 in rebates=1350. A little more than I wanted to spend but I'm pretty happy with the deal all in all. They gave me a good financing deal too which is cool. No interest for the first 12 months. I'll get it paid off pretty quickly as soon as the contract money starts to come in.

Any one else have any experience with Toshiba or think I could have done better for around 1200-1500?

-Dostoevsky

mrap1

Seems like a pretty decent system. The only thing I would have done different is get a Pentium M instead of the P4. And the HD is a nice size but it's kinda slow. But since this is meant to be a desktop replacement, and it will be plugged in most of the time it should be fine.

Mephisto2

Toshiba, along with IBM, are the leading manufacturer of laptops, so you made a good decision. Did you opt for an extended warranty? I always recommend a 3 year warranty with laptops...

Mr Mephisto

Dostoevsky

Yes, actually I did. I bought the notebook at BestBuy and got their 3 year warranty with the purchase. It's a nice piece of mind to have, especially since I'll be traveling around alot. One of the guys working at the store mentioned that batteries tend to wear out every 12 months or so and that this plan covers batteries as well as everything else. So I can rationalize the extra $250 the 3 year warranty cost by saying "I'll make it up on batteries alone." And that's nice to be able to do

I read what you posted about wireless internet, I'm hoping to find a place in Zagreb (the capital of Croatia) were I'll be able to use my wireless. If I walk into a cafe that has wireless internet to i have to configure or just open up and start surfing? Thanks in advance.

-Dostoevsky

BigGov

It all varies on the wireless router.

If it's free access, you'll recognize it and with Windows XP a little bubble will pop up saying "Hey! I found a network!"

Otherwise I believe some offer a password or some other form of verification.

It won't be extremely complicated though.

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netnut

I have had two Toshiba Satelites and both have been excellent. The only prob I have had is with the HD and bad sectors on the first. Nothing at all to do with Toshiba as a manufacturer. They replaced it, no questions asked. I use it as my primary workstation on a daily basis for over 10 hours a day. I could not ask for a more reliable piece of hardware (well i could but it would not get me anywhere). You made a good choice and it sounds like a good price as well.

Cynthetiq

i have always loved my Toshibas... well made and fair priced.

batteries are a drag, but with the extended plan you're covered

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Dostoevsky

Thanks for all the replies. I've actually been working the last few days to figure out how to back up DVD's to HD using DVD Shrink then write to DVD +R's. I didn't have any trouble with DVD Shrink but the first version of Nero I tried (6.0.0.0) produced 3 coasters. I finally went to the Nero site and downloaded there newest trial software which worked on the first try. I was so relieved, wow. I never would have guessed that backing up DVD's could be so involved.

Locobot

do a search man

Dostoevsky

Don't really need a search now, although I did look around a lot of tech forums while I was having my problems. Fortunatley I got my issues resolved and have backed up about 10 of my DVD's.

The coolest thing about it is that I am going to Croatia Tuesday and the back-ups that I'm burning will play in their DVD players as well as mine. They are not region senstive.

I wish there was a way to back up my XBOX games without modding my box. I really don't want to go through that. I don't want to bring all my original games to Croatia though either. Oh well.

dnd

even if it is meant to be a desktop replacement and battery life ain't to hot, i would recommend not using it always plugged in, use it let the battery die and charge again in that sequence otherwise you;ll kill your battery so quick its crazy nice laptop!

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cartmen34

Like netnut and others, I've also had several toshi' laptops. They've always worked flawlessly for us.... until ONE of us (ahem, the wife) dumps water into hers....and then wine into the replacement.... she gets an external keyboard and mouse, and the laptop gets up on a shelf from now on. lol

My only complaint would be being unable to boot to the BIOS.

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matthew330

Been carying my Toshiba Satelitte 3005 for 4 years now i think. Daily back and forth to work. never one problem. Battery lasted for about three years. 140 bucks for a new one seems kinda insane, so i just keep it plugged in. I still love the computer. At the time it was a 2 grand well spent.

Church

Yes, nice choice on the laptop. Nothing you can control though, but just a warning to you. The battery DOES NOT last 3 hours, lol. 1.5 max. I found that out the hard way

But it looks like a nice system. Toshiba makes great computers.

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