Toshiba Satellite A205-S5823 15.4-inch Laptop (Intel Pentium Dual Core T2330 Processor, 2 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) Onyx Blue Reviews

• Warning!

  
  By A1FVH8EGQ3Y1VG on 2008-02-07
  First, please pardon the small foreword to this review: I try not to post negative reviews. Generally, if I have something negative to say about something, I attempt to keep it to myself. This is not one of those times. I literally could not be more disappointed and angry with the optical (CD / DVD) drive on this computer, and moreover, the customer service / support (none of either) that I've received after multiple attempts on the phone with Toshiba.
  
  I purchased a Toshiba Satellite laptop through Amazon a few weeks ago after some fairly extensive research and review-reading. It's not the most expensive model on the market, but I've asked around, and people that I respect gave Toshiba laptops the "thumbs up". The A205 model that I bought, as well as many other Toshiba models, come with a TSST model TS-L632H DVD / CD RW drive, and when using iTunes to burn a disc, the computer returns with error messages (specifically, "error 2131"). The importing of CDs is also extraordinarily slow: about 20-25 minutes to rip one disc!.
  
  I am not a computer expert by any means, but I'm no novice, either. I cruised Toshiba's Website, TSST's website, and countless message boards to try to find a fix- and I found out that I am not the only one to have this issue. I also found out that the problem is likely specific to something called "firmware" that the computer uses to talk to the drive itself. Dell Computers were having a similar problem that they released a fix for in early January, but absolutely nothing, not even an admission of a problem, has come from Toshiba. Further, Toshiba's online support site offers an "ODD Firmware Updater" program for their optical drives that doesn't even support the TS-L632H model. So, Warning #1: If you're going to buy a Toshiba product, please beware of the TSST CD / DVD drives and / or firmware installed (but apparently not supported, as you'll see momentarily) by Toshiba. If you want to read more about this problem, please Google "iTunes error 2131". How Toshiba could release a product that is incompatible with what is far and away the most popular music program in the world (iTunes) is absolutely beyond me... and then to leave the problem unrectified, when it is apparently fairly common, is simply unconscionable. I understand sometimes patches and fixes are slow, but the first message board post that I have found on this problem with Toshibas was in November of last year- that's 4 months now!
  
  As if this wasn't enough: after multiple attempts on the phone with Toshiba customer support, I have been blown off once, and hung up on 3 times in a row after that (after being on hold for 45 minutes each) over the course of 3 days. It is very very disappointing that Toshiba has not recognized this problem, but it nails the coffin shut to have such horrible customer service. Warning #2: Toshiba doesn't admit to problems or make any attempt to fix them... and they are also in the routine habit of hanging up on customers who call for service and tech support.
  
  Consider yourself warned. I plan to return this computer and never purchase a Toshiba product again.
  
  

• Good notebook for the price

  
  By A1K55QFLL400P6 on 2008-01-10
  A bought this computer because was one of the best value for the money. The dual core processor is great, 1GB ram look like not enought using Windows Vista (just the OS use 780MB ) so if you plan to use heavy software, I think you need 2 gb for ram.
  
  As usual on Toshiba come with recovery cd (other brand not include this anymore, you have to burn it from the HD), quick install guide, and documents about warranty and toshiba accesories.
  
  The finished look very well, except for the BIG BIG brand name on the lid, maybe somebody like that, not me. The keyboard is white color, the screen is pretty bright so you don't have any problem reading with sunlight. The weight is the normal for a 15.4" notebook, like 6 pounds.
  
  This unit don't come with Card reader, you can see the space for it, but not coming with this model. I thought that thing about just two USB ports was a lie but is true, this notebook just have two USB port on the left side, doesn't have TV out.
  
  PROs
  Price
  Dual Core 1.6ghz Processors
  Bright Screen
  Good Wireless reception
  Good Finished
  
  CONs
  Windows Vista and Just 1GB of ram
  Not card reader
  Just 2 USB Ports
  
  

• Excellent basic laptop - very minor quibbles

  
  By A34VK5CODMU761 on 2008-01-30
  First, if you're looking for a laptop with all the bells and whistles, this version of Toshiba's Satellite isn't it. Still, it's a great unit. The screen is amazing. Crystal clear and sharp. Not overly glossy to the point where you can see who's standing behind you. Movies look amazing on it.
  
  You can get by with the 1 gig of ram it comes with, but be prepared for it to be a little sluggish. Still perfectly usable, but if you really want to take advantage of the nature of dual core (i.e. multi-tasking) then you'll want 2 gig. I put 2GB of Kingston, (2 x 1GB) 200-Pin DDR2 667 (PC2 5300), in the system and it has run flawless.
  
  Very nice touch-pad on this unit and the left-right buttons under the touch pad are just right - not too mushy to cause an accidental click and not to stiff that they are annoying. Keyboard is laid out nicely with the "delete" key in the top right corner. Just the way I like it. Movies played perfectly and I was able to burn CD's right out of the box. Vista has a very cool drag and drop CD burning utility built into the OS. Sound system very nice, though speakers not adequate for movies - too quiet. But the simulated Dolby Surround for headphones works very well.
  
  Other nice features that other laptops fail to include is a latching mechanism when you close the "lid" and a switch that let's you instantly turn off WiFi. This works very well by the way and stretches battery power when you don't need to be "connected."
  
  The quibbles. If you are going to use this laptop for typing your next novel, you might want to try out the keyboard in your local PC store to make sure you are comfortable typing on it for extended periods. It's a little on the stiff side compared to some others. Another minor grip is no TV out. It does have a VGA out, but if you want to throw the image onto a TV you'll need a converter - a simple VGA to S-Video cable for example won't cut it. Also, it only has 2 USB ports. If you plan to use it as your desktop unit as well, you might need a USB hub.
  
  These gripes are minor in my opinion because I don't really NEED them, but to me, it was worth the sacrifice to get this unit at so low a price point.
  
  I'm very happy with the system. Nice to have a Toshiba. Great brand. Everything worked, right out of the box. This one is replacing a Toshiba that I've had for years without issue.
  
  

• Great Laptop for the Price

  
  By A1L1LP0ZMHGR9M on 2008-04-02
  I recently purchased this laptop at Best Buy and I am incredibly satisfied with it thus far. The one thing I made sure to do right away was to purchase 2GB of RAM when I got the laptop as mine only came with 1GB total (it had 2 512MB modules in it). This allows me to do more multitasking and have overall better performance (since Vista alone needs nearly 1GB of RAM just to work). I was able to install the new 1GB modules myself without any problem, the owners manual that accompanies the laptop shows you exactly how to do it in an easy-to-understand manner. The screen is brilliant and the keyboard is easy on the hands. I will mainly be using this computer for word processing and internet research (I am currently a full-time graduate student). However, this laptop is also compatible with iTunes and other popular media programs so I can listen to music, move songs to and from my iPod with the laptop, and also watch DVDs and streaming videos online with no problems. It is also equipped with a wireless internet card so you can go wireless with it right out of the box without any hassle.
  
  I've noticed some people here have given this product bum reviews, and I think they must either have too high of standards for a basic model laptop or that they don't really know much about computers and their performance in the first place. One thing I found right off the bat was the multitude of unnecessary software that comes preinstalled with this laptop (as with pretty much all Windows-based computers today). The first thing you should do after turning your laptop on is to uninstall all the software you know you won't be using. This will free up space and increase performance as you eliminate programs you won't need. People interested in buying this laptop should also purchase additional RAM, as my model only came with 1GB. I bought 2GB RAM at Best Buy for $60, and the investment was well worth it. I have no issues with having multiple webpages up, iTunes playing music, and word processing all at the same time.
  
  The people who have bashed this computer seem to not understand that certain steps need to be taken to improve overall performance, especially on base models like the Satellite A205. Toshiba is a great company, and this laptop is no disappointment by any means. I would highly recommend this laptop to any student who is on a budget and needs a computer for school. I would not recommend this laptop to hardcore gamers (the video card isn't built for those as it's a basic model), video editors (if you're doing video editing you should be using a Mac laptop), or those who demand incredibly high performance for complicated programs that need a higher performing machine to run them.
  
  I hope this review helps some people, espeically students who need a quality laptop at a fair price. For people who want a higher performing laptop for gaming or other reasons, I would look to a higher model Toshiba with more featuers. But for basic everyday use (internet browsing, music, word processing, etc.) this laptop is perfect. The only reason this didn't get 5 stars was the lack of a higher performing video card if I do decide to do some gaming at some point in the future. However, since this is a basic model it's acceptable and I'm completely happy with it!
  
  

• Basic No Frills Laptop

  
  By ANCTEVATRGO0K on 2008-04-06
  This laptop is a decent choice for those looking for a budget computer. Hard core gamers, enthusiasts, or anyone else looking for high-performance should look elsewhere. But for surfing the internet, office programs, and other basic applications this is a great choice. The dual-core Intel processor is more than enough to run those basic applications smoothly and quickly. The 120GB hard drive is plenty to keep all your music, videos, etc.
  
  You will definitely want to upgrade the RAM to 2GB (the max) from the 1GB it came with. New memory should cost less than $50 at many online computer retailers and it provides a *very* noticeable improvement in performance. Upgrading is very simple, you open the hatch on the bottom of the laptop, remove the 2 memory modules there (2 x 512mb) and install the new modules (2 x 1GB). For those interested, the type of RAM you're looking for is DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) 200-pin SO-DIMM. Although many of those retailers let you enter the model# and it shows you compatible memory you can buy.
  
  The weight listed here at amazon is 9lbs, but the actual weight is much less. This laptop replaces a 4 year old Dell Inspiron that was really over 9lbs and this laptop is significantly less. I'd say probably closer to 6lbs.
  
  This doesn't come with any of the extras you see on more expensive laptops such as memory card readers, media buttons (like play/pause, forward, rewind, etc), extra USB ports (there are only 2), or things like bluetooth or N-wireless (it does come with B/G-wireless). The battery is also rather short, lasting only about 2 hours, a little more or less depending on the selected power profile.
  
  The DVD drive reads and burns CDs and DVDs effortlessy. I don't use iTunes, so I can't comment on other's troubles with it, I'm sure it will influence your choice if that is a program you use frequently.
  
  The screen is very very nice. Very clear and bright, and has a smooth anti-glare glass(?) covering. The build quality is overall very nice and feels solidly built.
  
  For those interested, the Vista Experience scores are as follows:
  Procesor=4.7
  Memory (RAM)=4.2 (note that changing to 2GB did not affect this score)
  Graphics=3.1 (poor due to Intel XMA graphics. this is why gamers should look elsewhere)
  Gaming Graphics=3.3
  Primary HardDisk=4.9
  
  
• Wasup with these reviews? This machine has 2GB of RAM not 1GB!
  By A3HREQMG17BUWQ on 2008-03-06
  I'm confused, most reviewers are slamming this laptop for only having 1GB of RAM when it's clearly stated that it comes with 2GB. Wasup with that? Also they're complaining about it only having 2 USB plugs and not having a multi-format memory card slot. WHAAA! Spend another 10 or 20 bucks for a hub and a peripheral card reader. DON'T WHINE CUZ YOU CAN'T READ THE DESCRIPTION BEFORE YOU BUY... DUH!
  
  
• not bad, not great
  By A2KWFQ6AY2WFEK on 2008-03-09
  A pretty decent powerhouse laptop for the price, but because of the low price point if has very little software. It's loaded with 'samples' and 'trials' that I deleted pretty much immediately. Loading itunes was difficult for some reason. I had to load it three times, and finally got it load after uninstalling quicktime. Now it appears to be fine. I have heard that toshiba laptops have this problem. I will say that I had heard both good and bad about vista before purchasing, and wasn't really concerned and I've gone through this several times before with everyone running around saying "windows 95 sucks, windows 98 sucks, windows xp sucks". If I had to do over, I would custom order a laptop without vista. Vista actually does appear to suck. It is not intuitive, and I cannot do the most simple task such as "save as" without jumping through hoops and much cursing. I just opened an excell spreadsheet I carry with me on a usb drive and it would not allow me to save it to the computer. I suppose as I learn it my opinion may change about Vista, but for jumping in and working with it immediately, it is a bit tough. Heck, they even hid the shut-down button in a most inconspicuous place.
  The one real negative besides the OS, which is not toshiba's fault, is the horrendously short battery life. Carry your power cables with you, you'll need them. You get maybe...just maybe two hours of life at what I would call low level usage. It's on and I'm surfing. Heaven forbid I actually use the dvd drive and really shorten that battery life.
  Screen display and size is fine, built in pointing is okay, but Acer's little scroll button is way better than the toshiba's nothing, you'll need a mouse for anything beyond basic goofing off.
  I'm not really too disappointed in it, but it didn't impress me as much as I thought it would, even with the pretty decent price.
  
  New add on 5-3-08: I've had this for a whle now and while I've gotten used to vista (used to and liking it are not the same..but it actually does appear to be incredibly stable) but the ONLY thing that I would really change is the pointing device. But to be honest, I carry the power cables and a mouse with it at all times, and the mouse comes out for anything I deem 'serious' computer usage.
  
  New add on 9-26-08: dvd player/burner is toast, and I hardly ever used it. I don't watch movies on this thing, so the inconvenience factor is low, but I occasionally burn stuff so I bought a dual layer external with lightscribe.
  
  
• it stinks
  By AWY6QMB6ZR5OF on 2008-03-08
  i bought this at best buy with 2 gig,s of ram for 599.00 .i was very impressed till it started locking up and the screen would go blank-black .the only thing to do to it was hit the off button to reset it.this machine locked up 16 times in one day best buy couldent fix it.three more came back while i waited on mine to see if they could fix it.
  all so the power button has no light............joanie carter
  
  
• A speedy laptop at an affordable price
  By AEOQDOVETNI57 on 2008-04-01
  This is the first laptop I have ever owned personally. I am a college student, and I bought this machine because my old dinosaur desktop finally blew up, and I needed a reliable computer to research with, and write essays and the like. I decided to spring for a laptop.
  
  I bought this machine from Best Buy last Fall, and I have had very few problems with it. The DVD player runs smoothly, it has excellent wireless reception, and the white keyboard with black letters, I have found, is much easier to see than the standard black keyboard most laptops have. The silver interior is very stylish, however I have noticed that the laptop suffers from what I call "self-mutilation," that is, over regular opening-and-shutting, it has put minor chips in the paint, showing the black shell underneath. It is only minor cosmetic damage, but I am a perfectionist and tend to overreact over trivial "damage." ;)
  
  As for games, although Toshiba does not claim bragging rights, I find the graphics engine to be tolerable. My machine successfully runs Knights of the Old Republic, Quake 3, and Half Life 2, the latter on low resolution, without major lag. (Although, beware: The OS is Vista. Therefore, by default, almost everything you install on the machine that is older than a year and a half will need a patch! This can be frustrating when official sources have no resolution.)
  
  I have not yet, and hopefully never will, performed the "Drop test," however I can tell you this much. I allowed my mother to borrow the laptop for a day, and she used it with a TOWEL wrapped around the base, thinking she was protecting it. She HORRIBLY over heated the machine, and it shut down. (Oh, the humanity!!!) However, once I started it back up (with due time to cool off!) it did not suffer any irreversible damage! Even before I de-fragged the hard drive, it seemed to be operating just fine. (After a warning message advised me not to cover up the cooling vent again!)
  
  Over all, for the price, I cannot find any major problems with it. It runs great, it feels sleek, it is fairly lightweight, (5-6 pounds) and had great wireless range. The battery life is sub-par, (about 3-4 hours, if you have the brightness of the screen lowered to the minimum) but this does not ordinarily bother me, as almost every where I take it, I have a plug nearby.
  
  
• Where's the Model number?
  By A1FL3T8ESUWOY2 on 2008-03-06
  I've only had mine for a week and aside from allowing VISTA to drive me up a wall it seems to be a rather sound laptop. Though people claim it does not have a lot of extras on it I find it offers more than I will use in a life time.
  
  I'm a litle disappointed in battery life but what is bugging me is WHERE IS THE MODEL NUMBER??? I can find it no where on the PC. How do I even know this is the model that I purchased. I find this very intersting.
  
  But again its a good machine.
  
  
• great lightweight laptop
  By A1ZM6SW91QKB5W on 2008-03-07
  Great lightweight laptop for the price!
  This is a sturdy low priced laptop that's good enough for everyday use.
  Beware however this is only upgradable to 2gb due to intel chipset limitations. The keyboard is firm and tactile, the screen is excellent compared to higher priced laptops, and processor is more than adequate for everyday use!
  
  
• Good, Laptop for and Awsome Price.
  By A1KJ4TFL5W9AY8 on 2008-03-19
  This is my first laptop and I got to say, I like. I use to have a Desktop, but that crash on me, So, since I really don't have the room for it, I decied to go for this Toshiba Satillite a205 Notebook instead, and I got to say, I'm loving it. And for he price I got it (499.00), it was a steal.
  
  The only drawback has to be the Itunes problem. I downloaded the program to burn cds, but I can't do it. I could import them using Itunes, but not burn the tracks onto a blank cd. I took it back to Best Buy so they could check it out, and they told me that it was a Vista thing, and that if I wanted to burn to just use Windows Media. I really don't mind, the reason I got Itunes was for my Ipod.
  
  Aside form that, I like it. It's got a good amount of memory (120gbs) and if you don't mind Vista driving you crazy (I'm still used to XP), and if you're looking for a bargain, then this is the notebook for you.
  
  
• nice laptop for the price
  By A11IVQ4R8XOGB3 on 2008-03-21
  I bought this laptop from circuit city about a month ago. I'm pretty much impressed. It runs smooth and fast. doesn't seem to run very hot but if your going to be using it for more than 5 hours at a time I might get a cooling pad for it. The only con I've noticed is that it doesn't rip dvd that fast. But you can always buy a external dvd ripper for that
  
  
• Toshiba sattelite Series (Don't Buy)
  By A3D99SP5GAR2RA on 2008-04-01
  I purchased this series of computer about 7 months ago. Currently I'm on my third mother board. The computer has been in and out of the shop roughly 9 weeks. Adding insult to injury I attempted to purchase extended warranty (since there are known problems) and Toshiba refuses to sell it because extended warranty is only available in the first 6 months of service. I have spent at least 20 hrs being bounced around Toshiba with no results. My case number is 1-854159549 in the event a person from Toshiba is reading this and wants to do something.... Don't BUY JUNK
  
  
• Great laptop.
  By A2NUA557PF5Q6 on 2008-04-07
  This laptop is absolutely phenomenal. I've had it for about a month now, not a single problem. I mainly use it for gaming and the internet and it runs flawlessly even with 6 or more demanding programs running (limewire, Warcraft 3, Itunes, etc) at the same time.
  
  Pros:
  3GB of Ram
  200 gig Hard Drive.
  4 USB ports
  Beautiful screen
  Windows Vista Home Premium
  Multi-card reader
  
  Cons:
  Speakers could be a little louder.
  
  
• Good laptop for the price
  By A1VJGDEGJ7PF6 on 2008-04-19
  I bought this toshiba satellite a205-s5804 at bestbuy for $450 a couple of months ago. After making several research, this laptop seems to be the best for tis price. I upgraded the ram to 2 GB , I bought kingston 1gb kvr667d2s5/1g from Newegg for $18.99/each, I installed it with no problem. This is my second laptop after my IBM R40, i guess it makes sense to buy a new laptop than to repair the old one. So far, I have no problem. I disabled all the startup program except the sidebar, and my computer opens fast. The only problem I had was, I was not aware that you have to turn on the wireless internet connection by switching on a button that is on the front edge of the notebook, it lights up once you have it on. I have to use a cordless mouse because the tab on the mouse pad is not soft to touch and you will hear a loud tapping sound everytime you press on it. I have a black laptop, with a white keyboard. I never realize that it is easier to read the letters on the keyboard when it is white. Keyboard is soft to touch and wide enough for people with big fingers.The sound is good, after my experience with the IBM's lousy sound. I like the wheel on the front edge of the notebook to adjust the sound.
  
  
• Very Pleased & Satisfied
  By AFGO3XVD2J6SJ on 2008-04-30
  I reviewed a lot of laptops and I choose this model because of the specs and the price.
  I knew what I was getting and I was not disappointed. I like everything about this model especially the 2GB of Memory, the large screen, the large keys, and all the Preloaded Software. After turning it on I was set to go within twenty minutes.
  The only two things I would criticize about this model is there are only two USB ports and they are on the left-hand size; extremely awkward when using a mouse. However, I knew that drawback before I purchased this laptop. When reviewing all the other brands and models I felt those two minor faults were minimal compared to all the other qualities.
  I also appreciated that this model came with a Master CD with all the preloaded Software--that's great! I have seen too many systems requesting that you do a Full-Backup after setup, and that can be tedious.
  So I would give this model an A-. The speed is great too and I believe that's because of the memory. From all the reviews everyone complained that Vista was extremely slow with only 1GB of memory.
  Finally, I knew that Toshiba is a good brand so I was grateful to be able to get this model. I hope to enjoy it for years to come.
  
  
• Toshiba T2330 Laptop
  By AV4T8W0O4MOO on 2008-03-23
  This notebook is cheap and powerful with a T2330 processor. It has a 160 GB hard drive and 2 GB RAM which is remarkable for the price I paid. Toshiba machines have always been heavy and bulky and this one is no exception. Previously I had a 17 inch 12 pound mammoth but its technology was incomparable at the time. Also, only XP Home Edition was included. Vista is better as I detest games. I really like this inexpensive notebook.
  
  
• Toshiba laptop
  By A2UUVT52E4LL0T on 2008-04-06
  I received this timely and have enjoyed using it for several weeks now. It works well for about 2 hours without a charge. Screen display is superb, speed is excellent. It will serve me well this year.
  
  
• Best value for the money
  By AT9HNZ5TS10NV on 2008-04-07
  Great product, I love the 3gig ram included that is really necessary for VISTA...perfect for home-office or stationary place...not recomended for portability because is a little big and heavy, like I said is perfect for replacement of an old desktop computer...
  D.
  
  
  
• Nice choice
  By A3NGTYCOK5VDEV on 2008-04-07
  has a nice sleek design with very soft rounded edges, sloped palm rests, and even a glossy screen that you don't usually find on business notebooks.
  
  
• Good PC, terrible OS
  By A2XXWAKZHNW0PA on 2008-04-14
  The laptop by itself is awesome, great look nice hardware profile. At the beginning the mouse pat was almost un-useful the web cam driver crash every time that the PC resumes from stand by and windows OS was really slow. I don't know if all this problems came from factory installation but I refresh the hard drive with the restore DVD and the performance is outstanding. No hardware/software problems so far.
  
  
• Save yourself a headache
  By A1VYWTZVANOQFT on 2008-04-15
  I purchased a Toshiba Satellite and have regretted it ever since. Owning a Toshiba product has been the worst experience of my life.
  
  In short, within less then 6 months the computer won't turn on. After hours on hold (and being hung up on) I got through to Toshiba customer service representative, then I had to drive over 45 minutes to take it to an "authorized service provider". In the year I have owned my computer it was being repair for more than 5 months of that time. I caution anyone buying a Toshiba product not to. Toshiba provides the worse customer service I have ever encountered. Save yourself the aggravation and headaches and never buy one of their products. I never will again.
  
  
  
• Terrible Design
  By AORQCG4ZXJGH1 on 2008-06-27
  Toshiba's A205-S5804 is one of the worst put together laptops I've seen, and as a PC repair technician I've seen quite a few. There are only 2 USB ports on the left side of the machine - which means you need a long USB mouse cord to loop around the back of the machine (for right handed people).
  
  The USB ports are extremely close together and parallel to each other, so any devices you have MUST have an extension cord. Large flash drives, MP3 players, and USB modems will block the 2nd USB port. You must purchase USB extension cords and/or a USB hub. This is extremely frustrating to anyone using Vista's readyboost feature, which allows a flash drive to be used as extra virtual memory.
  
  An Express Card slot allows you to slide a card into the machine, the only problem is that there IS NO Express Card hardware. It is amazingly frustrating to spend 20 minutes trying to line up pins for a device that does not exist.
  
  Preinstalled software includes a gigantic program for controlling Bluetooth (a wireless device like WiFi mostly for printers and phones). This might lead someone to believe that Bluetooth is built into the machine... it isn't. Massive amounts of RAM are devoted to running software controllers for hardware that does not exist.
  
  Also preinstalled are (1) Games you can play only once before having to pay Toshiba to play again (2) Resource hogging anti-virus software that expires in 30 days before demanding hundreds of dollars to keep using it (3) MS Office suite with 30 day expiration
  
  All in all, a badly put together machine. For the same price you can get a refurbished Dell Inspiron with a faster processor, three times the RAM, double the hard drive space, and an integrated 2 mega pixel webcam. HP also makes excellent machines, both refurbished and new. Avoid Toshiba.
  
  
• Really great notebook for the price!
  By A3MCHYEHME8H3N on 2008-02-24
  I've had this notebook for about a month and I'm happy so far. As has already been stated, the 1GB of memory is not enough. But memory is cheap. I upgraded to 2GB, and it performs very well. If you don't mind only having 2 USB ports (hubs are also cheap), this is a great machine.
  
  
• Good for the Money
  By A1SH8B25IABFPP on 2008-02-27
  Other than a few minor things about the product that are annoying, rather than a problem, I have no complaints. It has performed without incident.
  
  
• Decent
  By A38XHFJSGBV3OO on 2008-05-02
  The laptops works fine however it caught me by surprise when it came with an OEM version of the old windows vista. Had some problems with problems that kept malfunctioning.
  
  
• Good for the normal everyday use...
  By A2H1MCMGJX4AN2 on 2008-05-05
  This is a great laptop.. works great for the everyday use. it was easy to set up and get going.
  
  
• Not as described
  By A1V77R4UCY12AF on 2008-05-14
  Just ordered two of these, arrived, opened up one to check it, found there is no web cam integrated into the bezel whatsoever. Also the case is black and not 'Onyx blue metallic'. Amazon's own description of this laptop is misleading and incorrect. Buyer beware. Amazon has been contacted and these laptops are going back to them, at their expense. No genuine 'sorry' given. They said they will update the product description with the correct information. Too little, too late!
  
  
• Hard to say?
  By A1D91VV4JOBQWW on 2008-05-15
  Let's jump right in. I have a u205 toshiba model a A215 AMD based Laptop same toshiba . For some reason the A205 model well while a good basic laptop
  better than Acer anyway . Well the A205-S5804 from Toshiba just sucks if u are looking for a solid performance and reliable laptops from toshiba look towards the A215 models and U Series from the maker.
  In conlusion i gave this model from toshiba 2 very big thumbs down.
  
  

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• Kingston Data Traveler 4 GB USB Flash Drive DTI/4GB
• Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 - Slate
• Toshiba Satellite A215-S6814 15.4-inch Laptop (AMD Turion 64 X 2 Dual Core TL-64 Processor, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) Onyx Blue
• Apple iPod nano 4 GB Silver (3rd Generation)