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Toshiba M70-FE5 Review

post #1 of 73
2/2/06 at 1:29am
Thread Starter 
I have been busy with school (electrical engineering) but I decided I would finally put up a small review on the m70-fe5 (future shop exclusive) laptop that I purchased in mid December.

Specifications
Intel Centrino M740 1.73 Ghz
1024 MB DDR2 @ 533Mhz
100 GB HDD
ATI Radeon x700 256 MB Card
CD/DVD RW Combo Drive
15.4 inch Tru-Brite Display

Pretty non-detailed specs...

Physical Description
I have to be honest, the m70 is a great looking laptop and I have received nothing but compliments from friends and people at school. Combining performance and an aesthetically pleasing look, I am very happy with the look of the laptop. As you can see from the pictures below, the laptop came with a copper coating on the lid. I wouldn't pick copper as personal preference but it's not that big of a deal to me because I never really look at it. The keyboard is good enough and the keys have a fairly solid feel to them so no complaints there. The speakers as you can see in the pictures are located to the lower right and left. To some that may be a big deal but I do have 2.1 Logitech z2300 speaker system with a 120W subwoofer so the built in speakers have become fairly useless . The tru-brite screen is really clear and no complaints there. During the day however in rooms with open windows the glare is absolutely brutal. I am not sure what kind of finish the screen has but the glare can be pretty bad depending on what angle you sit at. Besides the glare the screen has been very nice for general computer use, programming and video gaming. The only complaint I have about the actual physical build of this laptop has to be that the audio output for speakers is right infront, between my wrists and right infront of the touchpad. It's not like im making contact with it, it's just that I find it a pain in the ass to route a wire from behind my desk, around the laptop and into the front. Overall, it's a great looking laptop, fairly quiet and it is definately an eye catcher.

Performance
This section will be fairly short . I ran 3dmark05 and received a score of 2820. I am not sure how that compares to other laptops but I am really not to worried about it. For the x700 card, I installed a NGO Optimized Ultra Driver from www.guru3d.com. If anyone has a better driver for this card please pm me. For general use, the computer runs really smoothly. Adding the extra 512mb of ram helped out for situations when I have several programs running. For gaming, so far I have only played HL2, Counter-Strike Source, Day of Defeat Source and a couple of other games. This laptop CAN handle all those games at full settings. Running Counter-Strike:Source and Day of Defeat: Source at full settings with High Dynamic Range is no issue with this laptop. Games run great! Performance wise, I have to say that I am fairly pleased with my purchase so far.

Other Goodies (Including Pictures)
I am running a dualboot with Windows XP and Ubuntu(linux-dist) because I do alot of programming and linux handles these applications alot more smoothly then Windows does. The m70 came with "Toshiba Power Saver" which helps a little bit in conserving battery life. If I sit around in class talking on msn while playing online poker/surfing the net I get about 2 hours of battery life. Not great, but I wasn't looking for a laptop where I could get a larger amount of battery time.

Watch Out!
I bought the first laptop, brought it home and it had a dead pixel. So I returned it and exchanged it for another one. I then took that one home and realized it had a dead pixel as well. So i FINALLY got one without a dead pixel. If your thinking about buying this laptop, check out the screen first!

Overall Thoughts
It is a really nice laptop to have. I was considering buying the Asus z71v which is relatively in the same performance range. I couldn't resist the physical appearance of this computer. I am fairly happy with the laptop for far and I definately recommend it to anyone considering buying it. If I could change anything about this laptop it would definately be the audio output port. Besides that, it has caused me no problems. Now you can see the pictars!









Thanks for reading.. Some pictures are kinda not sharp.
LL
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post #2 of 73
2/2/06 at 1:35am
nice...thanks for taking the time to post a review.
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post #3 of 73
2/2/06 at 1:28pm
Thanks. It's about time somebody posts a review. Nice use of the battery in the pics to get an idea of the size of it. Good job!! Do you have any benchmarks that you could put up?
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post #4 of 73
2/2/06 at 2:33pm
Thread Starter 
@g00nter, what do you want to see..

3dmark05 -> 2820.

I haven't tried anything else. Give me a application and I shall give you a benchmark
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post #5 of 73
2/2/06 at 4:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kypez
@g00nter, what do you want to see..

3dmark05 -> 2820.

I haven't tried anything else. Give me a application and I shall give you a benchmark
Nothing in particular, but someting like that. I'm not really looking for one of these myself. I just thought it would make a good addition to the review so that other readers can have something to compare laptops with.
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post #6 of 73
2/2/06 at 4:50pm
Thread Starter 
Tell me what you want.. I haven't ever used another benchmark and I have no idea what is out there. Give me names of anything..
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post #7 of 73
2/2/06 at 5:01pm
I didn't really have any in mind and don't want it for myself. It was just thought. I'd think that having the 3dmark05 is already a great help to somebody considering this laptop.

But if you want to, maybe you could run 3dmark03 (seems to be one of the standards that is frequently reported) and 06 since it's the latest. If you do 06, you can also get you name on the NBF benchmark team HERE. THe guys in that list would also know better what bechmarks to run.

I've seen people use superpi to 2million digits to test the cpu (IIRC the best score I saw was about 1:30, my old P3 got over 7 minutes!!!).
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post #8 of 73
2/2/06 at 6:04pm
Nice review, ill read it all when i get home. Im picking up a M70 in about 2hrs from now, cant wait! How did you find the build on this? Hows the keyboard? Is it overly spongey like the previous models?

Oh, and I have the same speakers as you, so my pics will look the same haha.

I agree, the looks of this thing is a beauty. Much nicer than the ASUS Z71a (I considered it too)....but its just boring looking.

Im buying from FUture shop, i wonder if they will let me open the box in store to check for dead pixels first b4 i take home. THe last thing i need is to be going back and fourth to the store exchanging.

And whats up with the glares eh? I wonder why you cant get a matte finish LCD laptop anymore from toshiba. im not a fan of the gloss.
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post #9 of 73
2/2/06 at 7:37pm
i bet that audio-jack thing is really frustrating, in the beginning they used to put all the ports in the back, or at least try to, then they've put them on the sides, as close to the user as possible (see the M2), now this....i really wonder, what's next? i guess they'll make a plastic circle in the middle of the screen where they'll put the USB and audio-jacks. It's like they say: Look our notebook got an audio-jack...what u cant' see it?...we'll put it where u usually keep your mouse so u'll totally have to notice it, since it will bother you with every stroke of your mouse...what?? u still don't feel bothered by it?? well f***, if we put it straight into your face so that the audio cable will hang around everywhere on your laptop until it reaches the speaker u got to be blind and have your hands chopped off to miss it

lol, i just felt like saying that...)

nice review kypez, could u try 3DMark2001 for me pls? i'm kinda curious how much you'll get there
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post #10 of 73
2/2/06 at 11:15pm
i just picked one up tonight, its charging now. What a beautiful laptop.

I pounded on the keyboard on the store demo, seemed pretty solid. Still some flex, but a lot more solid than my M30.
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post #11 of 73
2/4/06 at 11:43am
After using this for a day, wow the keyboard will take some getting used to, with the keyboard basically being off centred with this design. normally you would just type from the centre but not this one. im so used to the backspace key being in the top right corner, but right now the home key is.
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post #12 of 73
2/4/06 at 12:34pm
Yep, just pick one of these up as well, the M70 anyway.

The whole thing is great, the only thing I miss atm is the right ctrl key... didn't know it was going to be such a big difference
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post #13 of 73
2/4/06 at 1:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Disabled
Yep, just pick one of these up as well, the M70 anyway.

The whole thing is great, the only thing I miss atm is the right ctrl key... didn't know it was going to be such a big difference
How do you find the build quality on it? Wish the keys were so stiff, but im sure over time it will soften up.

And surprisingly the chasis itself seems very soilid and well made, well see over time how that holds up
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post #14 of 73
2/4/06 at 6:44pm
Thread Starter 
More Benchmarks
3dMark01 SE - 16321
3dMark03 - 6432
Super-Pi to 2 Million Digits - 1m42s
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post #15 of 73
2/4/06 at 7:42pm
Ive already had to change mine and have to again later tonight.

1st time, just changed it 2hrs ago. I found 3 dead pixels.

Now the 2nd one, the build on it, is absolutely pathetic. The entire palm rest is loose and when you touch the touchpad, it will rattle and sink in. This one was obviously not put together to well. Like wtf?

ARGH....so back to FS again tonight. I dont care if i have to spend 2hrs with it in store to test it, i dont wanna make anymore damn trips.
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post #16 of 73
2/4/06 at 10:03pm
Thread Starter 
@MasterQ

I told you about the deadpixels in my review. Definitely a pain in the ass for sure. As for the build of the laptop, mine is build like a rock is pretty much as solid as it gets. You have a different model, and mine isn't pro either. Good luck with your next model.

LESSON LEARNRED: Check out your m70 before you buy it. Tell the manager what you have heard about deadpixels, fire up the laptop and check it out. I haven't had a dead pixel yet with this one and its a realyl great laptop. If I do get a deadpixel within the next 2.5 years I am pretty sure my 400$ warranty will cover that.
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post #17 of 73
2/4/06 at 10:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kypez
@MasterQ

I told you about the deadpixels in my review. Definitely a pain in the ass for sure. As for the build of the laptop, mine is build like a rock is pretty much as solid as it gets. You have a different model, and mine isn't pro either. Good luck with your next model.

LESSON LEARNRED: Check out your m70 before you buy it. Tell the manager what you have heard about deadpixels, fire up the laptop and check it out. I haven't had a dead pixel yet with this one and its a realyl great laptop. If I do get a deadpixel within the next 2.5 years I am pretty sure my 400$ warranty will cover that.
Actually, both times I opened it up in store and turned it on. The first time, it seemed fine, but those lights are so damn bright in store that I couldnt notice it until I got home and played with it the next day.

So I changed it this afternoon, again in store, fired it up...seemed fine. Didnt bother checking for the build on it, since my first one was like a rock and I figured this one would be as well. I take it home, set it up, play with the touchpad only to notice the entire thing loose. And the entire right half of the keyboard isnt flat with the left side. How its built like this is beyond me. Nothing like this, should ever be put on the shelf for sale ever.

So Im heading back to FS in about an hours time to change it again. And yes I will open it up and fire it up again. I hope this one wont have a dead pixel or loose parts. If it does, then I wont hesistate to go with an HP tonight! I cant believe I just said that.

What I dont get is how every unit that comes from the toshiba factory is so inconsistent. One has dead pixels, another has a loose chasis, the next could have a scratched lid for all we know.
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post #18 of 73
2/5/06 at 12:03am
Thread Starter 
@Master

Yeah inconsistency is a big factor in these laptops. The employees at FS I dealt with were totally complete morons and had no idea what was going on. One of the employees tried to push the idea that dead pixels were excepted in the laptop world. I couldn't believe he tried to sell me that crap. Anyways, good luck with the new laptop!
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post #19 of 73
2/5/06 at 3:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kypez
@Master

Yeah inconsistency is a big factor in these laptops. The employees at FS I dealt with were totally complete morons and had no idea what was going on. One of the employees tried to push the idea that dead pixels were excepted in the laptop world. I couldn't believe he tried to sell me that crap. Anyways, good luck with the new laptop!

Can I ask you something Kyp? Tap on your touchpad, like just use it and tap to launch stuff, do you hear anything rattling sounds from the plastic? And tap with your finger all along the palm rest and front edge where the black strip is. Any noise? I have gotten this on the last two, the last one was god awful! You know what it is, causing it? The stupid way they made the touchpad buttons! If you press down on both touchpad keys so that you can feel it sink in a bit, but not as far as it being pressed...then tap anywhere, the sound will be gone!

How about your right half of the keyboard, do you notice where the enter, right shift, arrow kegs and so on to the right have noticeable flex in them, and when you press the keys (even lightly), that you can hear the keyboard hitting the chasis? Meaning theres a slight gap under and its not completely sealed off. Also, my A and Q keys do this! POOR build quality!

Well, I will give my new one that, that the space bar is on tightly. The last two I had, when pressed from either side, the space bar just didnt feel right. It would actually sqeak and feel very stiff. It would throw off my consistency when typing. Finally, this third one its gone and i have a well put together space bar. If it was a key i rarely use, it wouldnt bother me, but the space bar? Cmon now.

Im sick of going through toshiba after toshiba, and finding a rotten surprise with every one. Like wtf toshiba? Seriously, do they rush thee things out of the factory or something? I swear to god, the HP's felt 100x more well built, but again its an HP and i cant see myself settling for such a mediocre company.

Im sick of making all these trips to FS. (I try going to different ones, so they dont think im mental). But I hate to say it, but I might just refund it al together and get an ASUS from memory express tommorow morning. I'll see. Again, I was suckered into buying a toshiba because for the looks and price. i think its time I pay a bit more and get something better built, like an ASUS, and I have to sacrifice the looks, but IMO, build quality>Design.

P.S. - F.S does have the biggest morons there. They are one of the worst, if not the worst serviced retail chains. They never seem to be happy with doing exchanges on high priced items (as they will have one less item to make commision off of), gimme a break. I went in, and the dude was trying to get me to pay the tech $40 to get him to test it. No thanks. Im sure he would do such a great job what a cash grab. And even worse, they rush you out. Trying to ring through the new laptop before me even opening it to check it out? uhh, thats common sense. And when I wanna check it out, give me a few mins...not 10seconds..."any good?" Uhh how the heck am I finished when i havent even turned it on yet?
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post #20 of 73
2/5/06 at 3:18am
And kyp, when you say inconsitency in these laptops, do you mean toshiba specficially or just in general with any company?

God damn, I swear the demo in store felt so solid. I pounded on the keys and it felt like an IBM. Do they have like stabilizing metal platforms underneath the demos to make them feel better than it really is, or what?

And do you find the keys a bit stiff?
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