Toshiba Satellite A205-S4577 Laptop Technical Details

• Bright 15.4-inch LCD stylishly accented with an onyx blue metallic LCD cover
• 1.73 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5300 processor, 160 GB hard drive, 1 GB RAM (2 GB max), dual-layer DVD/CD burner
• Tri-mode Wi-Fi LAN (802.11a/b/g), 10/100 Ethernet, Intel GMA 950 video card with up to 256 MB shared 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)

Toshiba Satellite A205-S4577 Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Stylishly accented with an onyx blue metallic LCD cover, the Toshiba Satellite A205-S4577 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/multi-format DVD drive also burns CDs.

This notebook is powered by the 1.73 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5300 processor, 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 for improved multitasking performance. It features a 120 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM (2 GB maximum), 54g Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g), Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with up to 256 MB of shared video memory, an ExpressCard slot, and a 5-in-1 memory card reader.

It 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 Intel Core 2 Duo T5300 processor has a 1.73 GHz processor speed, fast 533 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:

  • 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.
  • Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.
  • Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core to help save power.
  • 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 160 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) is just above average in size for business notebook PCs. It 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 1 GB of built-in memory (PC5300, DDR2 SDRAM, 2 x 512 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 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.

• 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
This Toshiba Satellite has an integrated tri-mode Intel wireless LAN, which is 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 (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-S4577 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.

The Satellite A205-S4577 is ready to meet your must have everyday computing and entertaining needs. The Intel Core 2 Duo Processor offers powerful processing capabilities along with 160GB capacity hard drives and 1GB memory to keep you and your projects going. A DVD SuperMulti drive and 6 button keypad allows for convenient control of your CDs. Four well-spaced USB ports and an ExpressCard slot, adds desktop-like connection to all your peripherals. Integrated 802.11a/g Wi-Fi connects you to almost anywhere you go. This notebook with a wide Touchpad to match its 15.4-inch diagonal widescreen presents a sense of style and confidence that stands out in the crowd. Windows Vista Home Premium helps you quickly find and organize large collections of documents, pictures, movies, videos, and music. By integrating search throughout the operating system, Windows Vista Home Premium helps you quickly find exactly what you are looking for. 15.4-inch Diagonal Widescreen TruBrite TFT LCD Display at 1280x800 Native Resolution (WXGA), Native support for 720p content Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with 8MB-256MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory 10/100 Base-TX Ethernet Integrated Wi-Fi compliant wireless - Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG 802.11a/b/g ExpressCard slot - ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54 5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter - Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, MultiMedia Card & xD Picture Card Fixed Optical Disk Drive - CD-ROM (24x), CD-R (24x), CD-RW (10x), DVD-ROM (8x), DVD-R Single Layer (8x), DVD-R Double Layer (4x), DVD-RW (4x), DVD+R Single Layer (8x), DVD+R Double Layer, (4x), DVD+RW (4x) & DVDRAM (5x) Ports - Video RGB (monitor) output port, S-Video output port, Audio Microphone input port, Headphone output port, Data i.LINK IEEE-1394 & 4 Ports USB v2.0 Operating System - Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit version) Dimensions - Width 14.3 x Depth 10.5 x Height 1.3

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Toshiba Satellite A205-S4577 Reviews

Beautiful Notebook!, May 21, 2007

By A. Tzou -
I love my new notebook! It's a great price for the product you are getting. Just make sure to purchase two (2) 1 GB memory modules in order to make it run more efficiently. The way the notebook comes, it has two (2) 512 MB memory modules and there are only 2 slots. It is suggested that since it runs on Windows Vista Premium, that it would work best with 2 GB RAM.

getting worse than previous Satellite products, July 1, 2007

By W. J. Alonso (São Paulo, Brazil) -
Toshiba is, in general, a good machine, and that is the reason why I bought two notebooks again from Toshiba Satellite A205-S4577 Laptop brand. Nevertheless, I am disappointed with some poor technical decisions that were made on these new Satellite series.
Do the designers of these new Satellite series realize that maybe people who buy them will be sometimes using the notebooks at conference auditoriums where silence is required?, or at night in airplanes and other places where it would be nice not to wake up everybody around when you start up your computer? Had they considered that, they would realized that if you do not turn the sound level down (at the volume icon, or in the outrageously hidden Windows system) before switching the computer off, you will certainly have the embarrassment of having the starting sound of Windows coming happily from your machine and without you being able to do nothing about it. Such obsolescence was carefully crafted into the new Satellite series, since in my old A10 and A30 notebooks the mechanical volume switch did work beautifully by being directly connected to the speaker amplifiers (something which, by the way, makes the control of sound in general one thousand times easier and less prone to errors - the "new feature" does not work well many times, leading the volume level to `jump' from, say, level "zero" to six - another technical courtesy to embarrass you in quiet public facilities).
Another problem with the machine performance was the choice of forcing users (no choice is given) to purchase the machine with Windows Vista, an operating system that will not run many of your old programs, that will consume a huge share of your ram memory just for the sake of some cosmetic cuteness, and that is technically very complicate to remove for "downgrading" your notebook to Windows XP. Also, many of the drivers of the Toshiba notebook are only available for Windows Vista, making it a nightmare to have some of the hardware operating in other Windows versions.
And lastly, the cooling fan of Toshiba Satellite A205-S4577 Toshiba frequently works at maximum potency (with the corresponding noise) without any apparent reason (i.e., when almost no processing is taking place, as checked in the system management), making it a less silence machine (and probably unnecessarily shortening the life-spam of the fan).
At the end, I did regret having bought them. It is a car that looks good and has a good engine, but has an annoying sound system, a lot of unnecessary gadgets (Vista) that reduce performance and speed and you will find difficult to remove, a noise cabin, and a not-so-funny habit of waking up your neighbors with a loud horn in the middle of the night.

A Solid System!!, July 1, 2007

By T. Nagle (Arden, NY United States) -
Before I rant the OS, I want to say this system is solid. It has a Intel Centrio dual-core processor (1.73x2), 1 GB of RAM (667Mhz of speed, 2 512's, more on that later), 8x SuperMulti Drive (burns everything you would think of, but if it is a DVD, wait awhile), a webcam (if video capture if your gig, then disable this first), HD speakers (always a nice touch), and a 15.4" Widescreen display which for me I'll have to get used to seeing that I was brought up with computers that had blocky CRT's. And another cool feature is the Wi-Fi, which when it is turned on, will connect to any internet anywhere. That is cool.

The starting installation is simple. You put it up to charge, and then you do everything it tells you to do. Of course, you should charge the battery up to 100%. Takes about two hours to complete.

The Vista version installed on this computer is the Home Premium one. I know there are differences between the whole family (Basic, Premium, Business, Ultimate), but the one thing they have in common is that they eat RAM like Oreos. It has high-def graphics and the graphics are used in more places than before. You also have the Google window that opens up on boot, and IMO, it is annoying. Vista makes everything a little more different, but hey, innovations are innovations, and even though a lot of XP components are not able to be installed on the systems, I would wait until System Pack 1 for stuff to really improve and be a great system.

In conclusion, this system is solid. Though Vista is a downer for the meantime, the price is great for the equipment offered (and the software, but be aware, DO NOT USE MOVIEFACTORY 5!! It really freezes almost everytime you use it). McAfee 30-day antivirus is standard, but when the subscription expires, get Norton for the antivirus. Also, very important, get 2 GB's of RAM (PC5300 or 5400 laptop memory) as soon as possible, you will thank yourself a lot. All in all, not a bad investment. Just do not attempt to try to switch to XP unless you get support. Have fun!

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