Anybody got the 5205-S119?

After months of decision making, I finally decided to plunk down the 1349 for the 5205-S119. I have had this since Christmas Eve and have run it through hours of usage.

Pros:
1. CASV Screen - This is BETTER than the MVA used in the 15" screens on the Fujitsu. I was withing inches of ordering the Fujitsu N3010 a few months back but after running the directX test and witnessing severe bleeding/ghosting I held off on that purchase. A few people on Cnet have validated this as well. That said, this screen is unbelievably clear and bright. I've gone from using a Sony 21" CPD-G500 flat screen crt, to a Dell 1800 LCD so I think I am pretty aware of what it means to be picky with monitors. Text in Windows is RAZOR sharp and the screen is soo bright you might even dim it a bit during regular use. In 3d games there is no ghosting. I've played UT2k3, Final Fantasy XI and Warcraft 3 on it with not a hint of ghosting. This, along with the X-Brite's are by far the best screen on a laptop out on the market. I can't make a comparison with the N5XXX series from Fujitsu LCD's as I haven't seen them at my local Fry's yet.

2. Sound - Sure this is a laptop but for what it's worth the sound is very good. I'm using a Klipsch set on my desktop when I really want to play my music/dvd's but for playing games, etc., it's great. As a comparison, my coworker has a D800 and the Toshiba's sound stomps it.

3. Toshiba doesn't mention it (at least I didn't see it), but the laptop comes with a small remote. It's not the same one taht came witht he 5205-S705 but is about the size of a remote for a car head unit. What's cool is that it fits snug in the space saver unit and is used for the DVD controls...I think as I haven't used it yet hehe...

4. Price - For $1349 you'd be hard pressed to find a unit with these features.

5. Keyboard - Solid as a rock.

Cons -
1. The size. Yeah I know, I know...this is a desktop replacement unit blah blah. Well, it's nearly 2" in the back. It's freaken huge. I could stand the weight but the thickness kills me.

2. It's for lack of a better word: ugly. I'm more a fan of the simple, elegant look found in powerbooks and the Gateway 505X.

3. Battery life - I can run the laptop through a DVD at maximum settings with about 20% of the battery left. I definitely would have liked a Centrino chip in this.

4. Way too much plastic in the build. With the aluminum or what not found in laptops like the X1000, you think Toshiba could have used a better chassis for this. Then again, this laptop IS derived from the 5205-S705.

Now on to the caveats. I didn't know whether to list the graphics processor as a pro or a con. I want to say that for 1349, you're getting a Geforce FX5600...where else can you find that!? However, with the Office Depot deal on the Gateway 505X bringing theprice of THAT laptop down to 1399, the decision becomes VERY tough. Keep in mind that the Toshiba comes with 256 megs of ram so slapping in a second stick brings that up to...are you ready for this? 1399

I actually plan on heading to Office Depot tomorrow to play around more with the 505X. The 1600x1200 resolution, although remarkable on the Toshiba, actually hinders it in game play. For some of the more recent games, you are NOT going to be able to run at that resolution. I'm sure you realize this but the graphics looks like ASS on an lcd when you're not running it at native resolution. I've already had a chance to play with the Gateway at the country store before but that was before i purchased the Toshiba. If I can tolerate losing the CASV screen, I think I will return this laptop and get the Gateway as it offers 99% of what I want (the 1% being a CASV screen).


Kevin

satellite 5205-s119

Does the screen look like it's made of glass? This model is not available to Canada and I can't see it. I just want to make sure this is the screen

Thanks

Costa - Yes this is the screen that resembles a "glass" surface. It's somewhat reflective wiht a "direct" light on it but this has never been a problem.

Raise - Yeah, I wasn't overly impressed with the Gateway's screen. Therein lies my dilema (sp?). If the Gateway had an amazing screen it would be the perfect laptop. I'm going to head out to Office Depot tonight to take a second look at it.
As far as Wc3, I can play Wc3 at native resolution with all affects on max with absolute ease. In Final Fantasy XI is where my problems arise. It plays it well...for the most part. However, in screens where the game is rendering large landscapes, it chugs whereas my desktop 9600 doesn't have as much of a problem.

Btw, I just overclocked this to ~8500 on 3dmark2001 so I'll see how it performs in Final Fantasy XI tonight. Likewise, I'll see how far I can push the video card with default cooling and if it performs to my liking, I may keep it.

Let us know how you like it. I personally would like to know what you think about it once you have time to mess around with it.

Okay, I spent time with the Gateway laptop yesterday. I can't get over the screen. The colors look VERY washed out. My buddy's D800 has a much better screen than the Gateway if anhyone want to compare apples to apples (his is the WXGA as well). The Toshiba's CASV screen, needless to say, obliterates it. I love the feel of the Gateway as it "feels" like a laptop in the sense that it handles with ease. That said, I can't get over the CASV...once you've had it I don't think you can go back to a lesser LCD. Mine is a keeper.


Kevin

Well I only have a single battery brotha and it lasts about 2:15 minutes running a DVD so with a pair it should match the Gateway's. That said, that would push the weight up above 9 pounds. I'm not sure how much battery life is in the add on battery but if it doubles that amount then you should most certainly be able to watch the extended versions of LOTR (although an extended version of Return of the King may be REALLY cutting it close as that movie on it's own was 3.5 hours).

The resolution aside, I wasn't too fond of the Gateway's lcd. It's unfortunate since that is the one thing that would have made the Gateway perfect.

As far as portability is concerned, this may sound strange but this is the area (aside from not having a Radeon 9600) where the Toshiba is a bit lacking. Two pounds heavier and just an overall "bulkier" feel gives a positive in the Gateway's direction. I've had my laptop in my bag with me and have been tempted to pull it out to do some work. However, I haven't yet as it just feels like a hassle pulling my Toshiba in/out. By the same token, the Gateway gave me the opposite impression. It felt like something I could just carry around the house casually, plop in front of the couch, or pull out at an airport terminal, etc. Then again, that screen...

Well I called my bank prior to the purchase notifying them that a laptop purchse would be made by Toshiba and I needed it cleared right away. They were more than happy to help out. I then placed order on December of 23rd and had the salesperson throw in free overnite since "I need this laptop FOR Christmas eve but If I'm charged for overnite I'll go to a Gateway store and pick up a Gateway laptop". I made sure he got his manager involved in sending it out within the hour. To summarize: I placed a call to the bank at 11:15 on 12/23, ordered on 11:30 AM on 12/23 , called my bank 10 minutes later to verify the charge when through and had it shipped to my door at 9:45 AM December 24th. Sometimes it pays to be an asshole .

I've made other big purchases before and have learned that a simple call to your bank will get clear the way in no time.

BTW, I'm playing FFXI online on my desktop while surfing the web and AIM'ing on the s119. Aaah, this is the life!

Can anyone post some pics of it please? I need a new laptop for college and I'm considering this one quite heavily.

Hmm,

I take pictures. I'm kinda lazy right now but I'll do it tomorrow. Does anyone have a way to host pics as I sure as heck don't know how .

The way I do it is use a geocities account, upload the images, and then change their name to having a ".txt" ending. for example picture1.jpg --> picture1.jpg.txt The only problem is the bandwidth + make sure you rename the images within geocities' own file manager.