Help - Purchasing Laptop

[JoeWilly]

Thinking about purchasing a laptop. What do tuggers think of this Toshiba from Costco? Is there a better computer out there for the money? What is Toshiba's tech support like--good, bad? Need computer to surf, download pictures and word documents. Maybe gaming. Thanks for your help.

YOUR COST
$549.99

Click on the Windows® 7 free upgrade button above for instructions on how to receive your copy of Windows® 7 when it becomes available.

Processor & Memory:

* Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T6400 (2.0GHz)
* 800MHz front side bus speed
* 2MB L2 Cache
* 3GB DDR2 memory

Drives:

* 250GB (5,400 RPM) SATA hard drive
* DVD-SuperMulti Drive (supports 11 formats)

Graphics & Video:

* 15.4" widescreen TruBrite TFT LCD display; 1280 x 800 (WXGA) native resolution
* Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD (shared)

Communications:

* Intel Wi-Fi Link 5100AGN WLAN
* 10/100 Ethernet
* Webcam and microphone

Audio:

* Built-in stereo speakers
* Sound volume control dial

Keyboard:

* 86 key US keyboard
* TouchPad pointing device
* Media Control Buttons

Expandability:

* Two main memory slots (occupied)
* ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54 slot
* 3-in-1 Memory Card Reader accepts: Secure Digital, Memory Stick/Memory Stick PRO, MultiMediaCard,

Ports:

*
RGB port (monitor)
* Three USB 2.0 ports
* RJ-45 port (LAN) and RJ-11 port (modem)
* Headphone output
* Microphone input

Operating System:

* Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 (32-bit)

Productivity Software: Office Home & Student 2007

* Microsoft® Word
* Microsoft® Excel
* Microsoft® PowerPoint
* Microsoft® OneNote

Power Supply:

* Li-Ion battery pack (4,000mAh)
* 75W (19V x 3.95A) AC adapter: 100-240V

Additional Information:

* Dimensions: 14.3" W x 10.6" D x 1.33"~1.51" H
* Weight (approximate): 5.49 lbs.

 

[Passepartout]

It should work just fine for your purposes. I'm no expert, but some of the latest games require a lot of video power. I suppose that can be added if you find you need it. Costco's return policy is one of the best.

DW has a Toshiba and says she likes it, and has never called support. When I did some set-up work on her DSL network using it, I thought hers has a lot of 'bloat-ware', mostly expired, on it. I think they all come with a bunch of that stuff, though.

I am running Windows 7 now, and though I am not the most experienced user, compared with my meager experience with Vista, I like it.

Jim Ricks

 

[dougp26364]

Toshiba's not a bad computer. I have one that's still running 4 or 5 years down the road. That's a better track record than the Sony Vio it replaced. They aren't the sturdiest in construction IMHO and I'd prefer an HP at this point but, if the price were right I'd likely replace the Toshiba I own with another Toshiba if I felt the need.

 

[ScoopKona]

Thinking about purchasing a laptop. What do tuggers think of this Toshiba from Costco? Is there a better computer out there for the money? What is Toshiba's tech support like--good, bad? Need computer to surf, download pictures and word documents. Maybe gaming. Thanks for your help.

That computer isn't going to run today's "action" games. The graphics accelerator doesn't have the "oomph" for most of what's coming out these days. (And in general, you're stuck with the graphics system that's built in to the laptop. Most laptops are not upgradable in this respect.)

If you want to run non-graphics intensive things like simulation games, (Civilization comes to mind), or card games, that laptop should be able to handle it.

I would buy one, simply because it's Costco. But have a game you want to play ready to install when you take the laptop home. If you install the game and it doesn't work very well, you can always return the computer and buy a better one.

Tune-Up Utilities 2009 will help you speed up your system a bit (by turning off unnecessary Windows desktop options). But you can't expect hardware miracles from software.

For surfing and downloading pictures, one laptop is pretty-much as good as another. My laptop is ancient -- barely runs XP. But it's small and it's light (almost as light as today's netbooks) and it does what I need it to do. So I see no reason to upgrade. But I have to switch to my "good" computer to play Fallout 3.

 

[JoeWilly]

Thanks everyone for your help.

Sounds like this laptop would be fine for me but not our son who does the gaming.

 

[geekette]

I have always had great experiences with Toshiba laptops. Mine is about 6 years old now and never a bit of trouble.

 

[Linda74]

I bought this laptop two weeks ago to replace my Dell which somehow one of my kids messed up (no one is admitting anything). Anyway, I am not a gamer, mostly use for internet and email....
It is sturdy and quick. I don't like the touch pad as it is so black you can't see it...but other than that for the $$$ and good little machine...

 

[bogey21]

I bought this laptop two weeks ago to replace my Dell which somehow one of my kids messed up (no one is admitting anything). Anyway, I am not a gamer, mostly use for internet and email....

My usage is similar to yours. Because all I need is internet access, the ability to watch a few horse races and word processing, I go cheap. About a year ago I bought an Acer 4720Z for $399 at Circuit City and added free AVG and free Open Office. Except for the Microsoft Vista that came along with it, as long as it holds together 3 or 4 years I will be 100% satisfied.

George

 

[JoeWilly]

Thanks again everyone!