Despite some pluses, including good battery life, this desktop replacement is disappointing.
With its 2.3-GHz Pentium 4 processor, big 15-inch screen, roomy keyboard, and oversize touchpad, the Toshiba Satellite A35 would seem to have the bona fides of a powerful desktop replacement. But a close look at the details explains why the $1349 A35 is part of Toshiba's value line.
The A35 earned a PC WorldBench 4 score of only 107--well below the average for all similarly equipped notebooks we've tested recently. And, unusual for a big notebook, its hard drive is sealed, which means you can't upgrade or replace the storage without taking the notebook into a service center. The stereo sound was a bit muffled--disappointing for a unit from Toshiba's multimedia-savvy line of laptops. Our model also lacked a FireWire port, an important feature if you plan to download video.
This Toshiba portable is not without merit, however. It's an attractive unit with a stunning deep-blue lid and smoky blue-silver mouse buttons. It lasted a long time on one battery charge, a little over 4 hours in our tests. And it offers some nice conveniences, including lots of shortcut buttons and a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combination drive that sits on the front, where it's easy to reach. A Wi-Fi switch is on the side (the notebook comes with 802.11g built in), and two reprogrammable quick-launch buttons above the keyboard give you quick access to your favorite applications and Web sites. A third button toggles between a DVD movie on the screen and a TV connected to the notebook's S-Video port. Audio controls on the front permit convenient listening to music CDs, once you get the hang of the confusing mode button (which you push and hold to switch between CDs and MP3s).
No print manual accompanies the Satellite A35, but Toshiba provides a thorough and easy-to-use electronic reference on the hard drive. Topping off the package is the Microsoft Works collection of home office software applications.
Upshot: The $1349 Toshiba Satellite A35 would be a good starter notebook for a home or small office, or for students seeking a reliable dorm room PC that they can also carry to class on occasion.
|
|
| Processor |
| Processor Type |
Intel Pentium 4 Processor |
| Data Bus Speed |
400 MHz |
Cache Memory |
| Installed Size |
512 kB |
RAM |
| Installed Size |
512 MB |
| Technology |
DDR-SDRAM (DDRRAM) |
Storage |
| Hard Drive |
60 GB |
| Drive Controllers |
IDE (ATA/EIDE/ATAPI) |
Optical Storage |
| Type |
DVD/CD-RW Combo,
Hard Drive |
Display |
| Type |
Active Matrix LCD (TFT) |
| Max. Resolution |
1024 x 768 (XGA),
1280 x 1024 (SXGA),
1280 x 800,
1440 x 900,
1600 x 1200 (UXGA),
1680 x 1050,
1920 x 1200,
1920 x 1440,
800 x 600 (SVGA) |
Networking |
| Data Link Protocol |
Ethernet (10/100 Mbps) |
Expansion |
| Expansion |
Type II PC Card |
Miscellaneous |
| Chipset Type |
Intel 852GM |
| Input Devices |
Keyboard,
Touchpad |
| Included Devices |
AC Adapter |
Operating System |
| Operating System |
Microsoft Windows XP |
Battery |
| Average Run Time |
4 hour(s) |
Dimensions (W x D x H) |
| Unit |
11 in x 13 in x 1.7 in |
Weight |
| Unit |
7.72 lbs |
Warranty |
| Warranty |
One year limited warranty |
|
|
= Comment
= Outstanding
= Good
= Poor
= Bad
