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Toshiba Tecra S1

post #1 of 60
7/12/03 at 1:48pm
Thread Starter 
Hey everyone,

I need to order a laptop soon and have just about decided which laptop to get: the toshiba tecra s1

heres my configuration:

1.7GHz Pentium M (centrino)
512mb ddr sdram
15" xga or uxga? (i currently use 1074x768 on desktop)
60GB @ 5,400 harddrive
Intel Pro wireless card
DVD multi drive
ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 GPU w/32MB DDR memory
Windows XP Pro

I'm not much of a gamer so i can deal with the 32mb card...it could still handle a few sports related games and dvds

I'd just like to know what u guys think about this computer as it will be used for college type work and slight multimedia uses such aslistening to mp3s, burning cds, and watching dvds

pcworld.com ranks it #1 but not sure if that means anything...
Anyone else have a review of this system?



thanks for any opinions,
Chris
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post #2 of 60
7/12/03 at 4:19pm
Thread Starter 

think i'll go for it

hey,

I plan to order it probably next week...when i do i'll be sure to let u all know and post pics when i get it.

But if anyone has anything to say pros or cons that would make me think again...i'm open to all opinions!

thanks
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post #3 of 60
7/12/03 at 4:36pm

Cost?

How much will you be paying for it? I'm considering the satellite S705 for college, because I want a computer to handle my work, play, and communications.

However, I'm dissapointed that not many desktop replacements are equipped with th Pentium M. battery life is also an important factor to mobility.

I'm also considering the new Alienware.
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post #4 of 60
7/12/03 at 4:52pm
Thread Starter 
hey About Time,

For this configuration:
1.7ghz pentium m
1 stick of 512mb ram
60gb @ 5,400 hardrive
15" xga display 1074x768
DVD multi drive
Intel Pro wireless card
ATI mobile rd9000 w/ 32mb
windows xp pro
external floppy drive
3yr onsite/next business day warrenty

Price $3,435

Yeah i know its quite expensive but for me price isnt really an issue so it works out ok.

I considered the S705 as well but the 1.6ghz pentium matches the 2.4ghz m-p4 in performance and the 1.7ghz p-m exceeds it while also providing about 5hrs of battery life on the tecra s1.
Plus the tecra is also lighter...kinda all the qualities i need for a college. Its downfall is it's graphics card of course but i'm sure u could still get away with it on some less graphic intensive games.

hope that helps...let me know if theres anything else
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post #5 of 60
7/12/03 at 6:05pm
Wow, was that price from 5 years ago? Seriously, that is a LOT for that hardware... but, whatever floats your boat, know what I mean?

-myrkat
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post #6 of 60
7/12/03 at 6:12pm
Thread Starter 
yeah it does look like a BIG price to pay for it but i somewhat justify it b/c the Penitum m is new after all...especially the 1.7GHz version, secondly toshiba's warrenty...and thirdly...well i guess theres no other way to say it than toshiba just likes to overprice their products but oh well...i havent heard much complaining from toshiba customers so maybe that just more justification...

i was considering a ibm t40 but small screen.
considered dell d800 but saw too many customer complaints.
as for HP/compaq...well...i just dont like...just like a sports team u love to hate (although my desktop is a HP )

whats a collegiate to do
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post #7 of 60
7/12/03 at 9:32pm
Thread Starter 
well thats it...someone made me take notice of the Gateway 450XL lappy that boosts mostly the same features as the toshiba tecra s1 except the gateway has 64mb of video memory instead of 32 and also has a sxga screen all for about the same price as the toshiba....what do i do now? anyone like gateways?

my decision has become that much harder now!

thanks for any opinions.....
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post #8 of 60
7/12/03 at 11:29pm
"i havent heard much complaining from toshiba customers"

you haven't been listening...
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post #9 of 60
7/12/03 at 11:30pm

Gateway

Quote:
Originally posted by alien
well thats it...someone made me take notice of the Gateway 450XL lappy that boosts mostly the same features as the toshiba tecra s1 except the gateway has 64mb of video memory instead of 32 and also has a sxga screen all for about the same price as the toshiba....what do i do now? anyone like gateways?

my decision has become that much harder now!

thanks for any opinions.....
Hello. I have used Gateway laptops and they are pretty nice. Built well and performed nicely. Personally, I don't have an interest in a centrino now but certainly, it is an excellent choice for college. After looking at the specs. of the Gateway 450 XL, I must say it looks pretty good and does have the 64 megs of video memory. The warranty looks good if you get the 3 year onsite plan. There have been some people here on the forum that had major issues with Toshiba's tech support and warranty. In my opinion, in your situation, I would go with the Gateway 450XL. Even with a maxed out config., it is roughly the same price as the toshiba and has more video memory; hell you can even get the 1.7 ghz pentium-m and still have a similar price with the Toshiba. Just my 2 cents but it does look good for your needs...

Steve
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post #10 of 60
7/12/03 at 11:40pm

one other comment

Hello. Have you checked out Powernotebooks.com? They have 2 centrino models and they are quite nice. SXGA screen, 64 megs video memory and an excellent rating on resellers.com. Plus their prices are considerably lower than both the gateway or the toshiba. Take a look and see for yourself. They even offer a discount if you pay with cash.... why pay more when you can get the same specs from a reputable company(Powernotebooks) for a lot less....


Steve
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post #11 of 60
7/15/03 at 12:30am
Thread Starter 
well after alot of debating...i've decided to go back with the toshiba...

i would just like some help in choosing a screen...either a xga or uxga? I am used to using 1024x768 and that what i'll use on the notebook. So should i get a xga screen with a native resolution of 1024x768 or a uxga screen with a native res of 1600x1200?

on which screen would a res of 1024x768 look the best?

thanks for any help,
chris
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post #12 of 60
7/15/03 at 1:09am

on which screen would a res of 1024x768 look the best?

1024*768
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post #13 of 60
7/15/03 at 7:14am
Never run a screen out of it's native res...that's how you get ghosting. Also, I had a toshiba, and had nothing but problems with the DVD drive. I couldn't get 1/2 of my DVD's to work thanks to their stupid rpc2 codes. Good luck.
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post #14 of 60
7/15/03 at 12:31pm
You're willing to pay 3400 and you aren't considering a top of the line Sager or AW?
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post #15 of 60
7/15/03 at 12:36pm
Thread Starter 
those are too bulky to carry around campus and the battery life isnt that good either
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post #16 of 60
7/15/03 at 12:52pm
Man, you can get those specs for A LOT less. For example, you can get a Dell 600m centrino 1.7 Mhz with 512 Ram, ATI 9000 32mb, SXGA resolution, Wireless card, 60 gb HD, Windows XP Pro, blah blah blah for around 2000 bucks before discount vauchers. Check it out at www.dell.com

Make yourself a favour and dont search a bit the market for better price conditions.



Cheers.
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post #17 of 60
7/15/03 at 12:53pm
EERRRR I meant make yourself a favour and DO search a bit the market for better price conditions. Heheh


Cheers.
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post #18 of 60
7/15/03 at 1:01pm
Thread Starter 
wtb...thanks for the tip I checked out that dell but only has a 14" screen. I currently use a 15" and kinda would like nothing less so that limits my options quite a bit unfortunately.

But price isn't too big of an issue for me...i'll take quality over it anyday

only if dell offered a 15" standard sized screen centrino...what is wrong with them
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post #19 of 60
7/15/03 at 1:49pm
COMPAQ PRESARIO X1000 - cannot say it often enough - it has everything you are lookign for and is half the price - including a 15.4 WUXGA if you want it.



Quote:
Originally posted by alien
wtb...thanks for the tip I checked out that dell but only has a 14" screen. I currently use a 15" and kinda would like nothing less so that limits my options quite a bit unfortunately.

But price isn't too big of an issue for me...i'll take quality over it anyday

only if dell offered a 15" standard sized screen centrino...what is wrong with them
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post #20 of 60
7/15/03 at 2:46pm
Thread Starter 
hey thanks for the recommendation

yeah that compaq looks feature rich...but i'm just not crazy for the widescreen...looks like its great for gaming and dvds but i tried out that widescreen emachines lappy and it didnt look like it would be good for productivity work...looked like it was missing some height to me
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