Toshiba M40-JM3 with NVIDIA FX Go 6600 - Page 9

no bluetooth in canada from what i know.

i thought they are same port as wireless . is it true? because in laptop they have a bluetooth software, i don't think it didn't have

i am pretty sure that they dont have bluetooth on the models available in canada, i know that the australian model has integrated bluetooth. I believe the expansion slot for the bluetooth module is blocked off in the canadian model so it cant be added. Bluetooth and standard wireless networking is not the same thing, and i do not think that they would use the same ports.

i will do some checking the next time i have an m40 around to see what i can see about this issue.

I know the Australian version of the M40 has the expresscard slot opened up, but i believe no one has actually tried, or opened up to see if there was actually an adapter in there! Might be just a Canadian version with the dummy cover removed, and could be empty insde until someone confirms something.

Still contemplating

Hi,
I had a quesiton or two regarding toshiba m40 jm3 that i was hoping oculd be resolved here.
WEl first of all i've been in a dilemna ever since i bought this notebook. THis featurerich notebook, vs the fs550 that skims on ALOT, but has the distinct sony look. I like gaming, but doubt i';ll be doing anything more than Starcraft since I dont have time for games anymore. The reason i got this laptop was because of the video card, excep i'll probably never use the amazing graphics. except running nvidia demos and winamp plugins and sitting here i n amazement as to how great it looks

I do have a few concerns about the laptop though. particularly the material seems like it could probably get dirty very quickly. The top of the lid (back of screen) has already developed a few patches of slightly differet shades. hopefully cna be cleaned. Plus got a wierd noise when i'd plug in the ac adapter. got it exchanged and now its fine. Computer does crash at wierd times though which the last unit didn't, but hopefully this is only a software issue.

Alright now to my issues that i'm hoping you guys can address. First, how do i squeeze eveyr alst minute from the battery??? 2 hrs is NOTHING for a business laptop. Even screen at lowest settings only gives me an extra 15 mins or so. i find im constatly charging my laptop, plugging and unplugging. Now this raises another question, once the battery gets charged, does the computer automatically shutdown charging and the ac adapter starts bypassing the battery? So far i've been unplugging the adapter and using battery power even when im close to a charging terminal, cos the manual said that overcharging heats up the battery and shortens life. But then again constant chargin up and draining would also not be too good for the battery. What should i do? leave it plugged in when i'm close to an outlet and using the computer for extensive amounts of time? I know other electronics have the capacity to start bypassing the battery once its full owndering if laptops do the same. this is my first new laptop so i dont know the proper protocol.

Now the second and another very important issue. When i play back dvd's, they're not widescreen. Black bars on the side and botto. But the black colored bands on top and sides have different shades. I guess this could be due to the dvd not being in widescreen format. Alright so when i'm playing dvd's, even tried the newest ones like lord of the rings, the picture playback itself is perfect, no pixelation, very smooth. But the picture itself is grainy!! and very noticeably grainy. I thought dvd playback would be amazing considering this is a widescreen high res screen. I went to the store and tried the FS550, but that also had the same sort of grainyness. I'm guessing considering the high end card in this toshiba laptop, dvd's should look much better, and its probably a software issue. How do i fix it?? Its very annoying because i was really hoping for a pristine looking picture on this screen, but tis quite dissapointing.

Hopefully someone here can answer the battery charging issue, and the dvd playback issue. also i could use some reasurance as to why this laptop is better, cos i hae a couple of days while i can get it exchanged, and im really contemplating the sony. My companies paying for it so money is no object. Its more of what im getting for the same money. FS550 and m40 i think are alsmost suppsoed to be in the same class, weight size wise. Performance i know is much better on m40. but the looks of the fs550.....to die for.

you can purchase a blue tooth card for $120 on toshiba canada's website. i think it's something similar to a sd card. by the way, anyone experience the bod after inserting a memory stick? i had to pull it out and force power down my laptop. not a cool experience

nevr seen the BSOD after having a memory stick inserted, this is a new problem as far as i know.... as for the bluetooth capability, if you really need it, not looking at toshibas thing there are usb bluetooth adaptors that will perfectly fill your needs.

the M40?

Well from the reviews that I've read here, the M40 looks as sweet as I want it! The lower end is all that I could afford, at least Costco offer them at 1829 so i probbly can get a match up at futureshop.
I just wonder if there is any big problem with the model, my friend has the A70 and it's killing her lol... I hate troubles, so it'd be good to know before I actually make the purchase.

Also a while back, someone mentioned the ASUS Z71A? Does anyone has one or knows anyone that has one? it looks pretty decent, the spec at least, and it is cheaper than Toshiba...a lot cheaper... Is ASUS nearly as reliable as Toshiba? I just need it for school, and personal stuff like musics and internet, and I don't play a lot of games.

Rite now, i'm pretty much all for Toshiba, but if Asus is as good, no point spending an extra few 100$$...
Also, should I get the 3 year warranty with the M40? From toshiba? or futureshop? I don't abuse my machines, but to be honest, am not that good of a care-giver either......so is there a need? considering my financial situation? Also, If I should get the warranty, can I get it with Toshiba even if I buy from Futureshop? I don't particularly like their extended warranties for some reason....

Thx a bunch in advance!!!!!!

Hey,

I picked up my Toshiba M40 on Friday of last week from Future Shop, and had it formatted before the end of the day (Windows XP Professional / Fedora Core 3). The only issue I had appeared on Sunday, when on boot up, a single dead pixel appeared

I took it back (14 day exchange, etc) without any hassles...if I get into any hassles, my father taught me how to 'explain' things to ensure an exchange is performed

Anyway, no other problems of note on the system. I love it! Not a single dead pixel on the new screen, no hardware issues of any other note.

I purchased from Future Shop because the price difference was 200.00 (last Future Shop deal) compared with Toshiba's online website. As for the warranty, you can purchase it from Future Shop, or from Toshiba. Myself, as I have another dealer in the area that can handle Toshiba warranty work, it is a no brainer for me (Toshiba extended warranty). If I don't care to, I never have to see a Future Shop tech again

Toshiba's warranty is cheaper (roughly 50 bucks) in equivalent 3 year, but Toshiba does not warranty batteries under its extended warranty, I believe Future Shop does. Future Shop has a 'lemon' guarantee, but so many repairs have to occur before this kicks in (I've never really looked into it). In either case, remember that if the laptop has to be replaced (as there may come a time when it will be cheaper to replace the whole laptop, rather than a particular piece), the remaining portion of your extended warranty (if occurring in the extended warranty period) is considered null and void; quite common on most warranties.

I just got the Asus Z71V last week with the almost the same specs as the toshiba M40 JP3 (the lower end one) but with the following upgrades:
CPU: 1.73 GHz (740)
60GB SATA HDD 54krpm as opposed to the 1.6 Ghz CPU and the 4200 rpm in the toshiba. I had originally bought the toshiba but returned it after a few days. Toshiba was a good machine but the 42k hard drive was too slow in loading games and big files and i couldn't afford the YP3 version. If that doesn't bother you, definitely get the toshiba.
I paid $1670 canadian for my asus z71v (~$200 less than toshiba). Which is a good deal. BUT i did not get any windows installed on the asus or any other extra freebie softwares (Which wasnt an issue for me). Plus the trubrite screen on toshiba is obviously better...I found that the best thing about the toshiba (i actually miss it). The asus is a WSXGA+...so things are very small on the screen (which may be a good thing or bad depending on your preference). Personally i think the Toshiba m40 overall looks better too.
I recommend reading the many Asus z71v threads if you are interested in this machine which is definately a good choice too.

I got the asus instead of the toshiba cuz i saved over $200 and got a faster cpu and HDD while sacrificing free windows etc and a great screen in toshiba. I also worried if asus was as reliable as toshiba...but my only issue was that one has to get the asus from small retailers. But From what i gather, it seems that asus is very reliable in built quality etc...but perhaps not as popular as toshiba (just read around). Aslo, keep in mind the z71v only comes with 1 year asus warranty and you can buy extended warranty from the retailer only (i think), where as for toshiba u can buy it from both toshiba or the retailer. If you decide to buy the asus, make sure u choose a reliable retailer (e.g. proportable or istnc in the states...I have heared good things about ISTNC on this forum and no i don't work from them and did not even buy from them) since they are the ones u'll be dealing with in case of a problem.
hope this helps.

interesting, a good comparison for those who were wondering, but for me i would rather stick with the toshiba. im a student and i dont have the time to fart around with windows installs and that crap.....

After One Month

I am still happy with my M40 YP3,... still sits on my desk, performs as my brothers desktop, and generally Very Happy with it.
The 8 Mpix Foto editing work forces me to defrag almost daily, and I still think that for the caliber of this machine, It would deserve a better casing. If I put my wrists on the case, it kind of squeeks under the weight of my arms..while typing.
The flex of the LCD does not bother me as much, since I checked Sonys', Apples', and HP's at Best Buy.. some of them are a bit stronger, and some a bit weaker.
The CD/DVD burner is muuuuch better than my Dell Inspiron!
Performance wise, the machine is awesome, no complaints, and I love the looks of it!

I would by this machine again for a Home use. As for Heavy Duty business travel I would probably get a Tecra or IBM.

Cheeers, Les

thx lots for ur opinions guys!!! I am really conflicted, because my budget is really an issue, and M40+warranty will be just about everything I could afford, but personally, I do like the Toshiba better...speed for me is not that big of a problem, since I don't do large processings, but um, i think i'll just wait a bit, read some more threads, and maybe in august when the school starts, I can probbly get it cheaper......anyways.......tough decision

hey Les, what is it about the M40 casings? is it too fragile?

thx again guys!

The casing will leave a mark if you just happen to throw your keys in your backpack with your laptop. It may look durable for a while until you leave your first mark (: I've been using mines for almost a month and noticed my space bar gettin more smoother and palm rests darkening a little.

hey that happens...my microsoft wirelss desktop keyboard is shoing the same signs of use. it is really not that bad, just means that you actually use the system you have got...and that is not at all a bad thing.

the m40 casing is not fragile per say... like any peice of electronic gear you shoul not really be throwing it around, and with proper care. things like not sitting on it or thworing things at it i wont be breaking. the issue with the keys is that its a sharp object, believe it or not keys are great for scratching stuff, like a friend of mine's ipod mini is scratched all to hell because he carries it around in his pocket with keys in there too. in fact i could tell it was getting like that even after the first time he carried it that way.

so simply put keeping it away from sharp objects like keys and taking some basic care of it will mean your system should stay looking sharp for some time to come.

hmm.......so i probbly should buy a notebook case too .....oh well, some investment just have to be made.........

yes a proper notebook case is essential if you want to be moving it....i know some people try to get away with just they backpacks and that sort of thing but a proper case is a must in my opinion, the padding helps keep the case looking good, and the extra protection means that it will last for a long time without looking like hell.

i can say that the absolute best protection is from the cases made by laptop armour, these are hard sided and mean that nothing is going to crush your lappy, and they also mean that you wont get it scratched up as long as you dont go putting sharp things on it. i personally like these cases, or the backpack made by targus which my girlfriend has and is absolutely great for her laptop.

Does anyone know where to buy Tucano Notebook Folder XL - BFXL in Canada?
www.tucano.it

I think the size is perfect for M40 but I couldn't find it anywhere in Canada. The price is US$20 but together with shipping to Canada will be US$40

I'm looking for a slip case that's not too bulky to be put into another bag...Any help will be appreciated..

i dont know where it is available, but it does look like a great case. good luck finding it i am sure it will match an m40 nicely.

Hey Guys

the M40 is perfect, only the build is a bit flimsy..
I do not carry it much, so it is a non issue for me... I have a $80.00 Targus case to carry it around. I am generally very carefull with my gear, so the flex is not a big deal, but still surprising, for a Toshiba...

Cheers, Les