Toshiba Satellite L355-S7902 17.0-Inch Laptop Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The brief assessment
The Satellite L355 is a large, heavy portable - I can't make myself call it a LAP-top - machine that provides sufficient computing power to run Vista in full Aero mode, decent hard disk storage, good 17-inch display, adequate IO, a somewhat subpar near-full-size keyboard and a few bells and whistles such as 801.11g Wi-fi and integrated Webcam and microphone. The bundled free software includes Microsoft Works, Skype, some games and some annoying '60-day-trial' bloatware such Norton 360.
Overall, this is a good machine if travel is not its main purpose and if the relatively low price is factored in. It will replace a basic desktop once a mouse is added.______________________________________________________
Detailed review
Delivery and physical setup
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The 'laptop' comes securely packaged in a relatively small box. The package is easy to open and there isn't a lot of assembly required. Besides the laptop's body, there is the power supply, a couple of CDs and not much else.
Specs
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- Dual-core Intel T3400 processor at 2.16 GHz
- 3GB SDRAM expandable to 4GB
- 250GB hard drive
- 17" display
- 802.11b/g Wi-fi
- DVD drive
- Webcam + microphone
- 3 USB 2.0 ports
- Modem
- Ethernet port
- RGB monitor port
- 5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter slot that supports Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Secure Digital, MMC and xD media
- Near full-size keyboard with numeric keypad
- Touchpad
On the Vista performance benchmark, the Satellite scores a 3.3 with 'graphics' accounting for its lowest scores - 3.3 for Aero and 3.4 for 3D business and gaming and the CPU (5.1) and the hard drive (5.3) being the highest.
Setup
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Vista Setup begins as soon as the power button is pressed and it completes quickly. Once an account is created and after given permission, the Satellite was able to quickly find and join my Wi-fi network and download and install the latest mostly Vista updates - over 40 of them.
To my surprise, there wasn't a lot of bloatware, Norton 360 60-day trial being the most annoying of them all - its window pops up and it can't be closed, the only apparent option being to run the setup. I was able to get rid of it by immediately removing it and other unwanted 'free' or 'free trial' offers such as NetZero before touching their setup processes. The Google Toolbar installed itself before asking but a 'thank you' pops up when it's finished.
Explorer and Windows Media Player are present but it was easy to install my favorite browser (Chrome) and relegate the Explorer to the second-tier, 'backup browsers' status.
Once the Norton 360 is removed, Vista begins to complain about its lacking virus protection. One reasonable truly free offer, and this is what I installed, was Avira. Once Avira was installed, I was able to register it with Defender and Vista stopped complaining.
Other pre-installed but not '60-day trial' packages included are Picassa and Google Desktop. They can be easily downloaded off the Net but I don't mind them being there since they do not interact intrusively with the user.
Operation and Ergonomics
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As I mentioned already, the keyboard is a little unusual. While large, some of the keys are not where I would expect them - the Fn and Ctrl keys, for example are switched as compared with my familiar Thinkpad layout, the shapes of the 'Backspace' and 'Tab' are a little odd and so is the layout of the top row function keys. I would not type my next novel on this keyboard. Being a spoiled Thinkpad user, I missed the little knob that controls the mouse pointer movements. The touch pad works but it doesn't work for me. I wasn't comfortable until I attached a Logitech Nano cordless mouse by inserting its little dongle into one of the 3 available USB ports.
In my opinion, the display is the best part in the Satellite. It's large and it's bright. Wide-screen DVD movies play great on it but, sadly, this being a Toshiba (not a Sony) the optical drive does not support Blu-ray.
The integrated Webcam works well with apps such as Google Chat or Skype and it's well integrated and easy to use.
The Satellite weight - really, really heavy - does not make it suited for frequent travel. Its lacking a docking station add-on does not make it a good telecommuting choice.
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Rating and evaluation
The Satellite 355's size and weight do not make it a good choice for anyone looking for a traditional 'laptop'. However, anyone looking for a 'sometimes portable desktop' that integrates just about everything other than the mouse, this can be a good compromise. This is exactly what I wanted for one of my sons and I am therefore happy with my purchase.
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CUSTOMER SUPPORT (6 months later)
I am trying to find a not-so-harsh word to describe's Toshiba's attitude toward their customers but I must give up so I'd rather present the facts.
When this laptop's screen broke (apparently my son broke it so warranty didn't apply) Toshiba demanded that I paid almost what it took to buy the laptop NEW six months or so ago - subtract 50 from the sale price and you'd get an idea. The alternative was to go directly to one of Toshiba's authorized repair centers but, after calling a couple, it was clear that they were going to bill me for even more than Toshiba demanded.
I will now have to decide between taking a gamble and buying the display myself (it's not too expensive and about 1/4 of what Toshiba asked to fix my laptop) or learn to live with a broken display - attach a keyboard and a monitor to the laptop and use it as a desktop. By the way, Toshiba makes it VERY hard for 'regular people' to replace parts themselves. One must run a setup utility whenever parts are replaced and enter some codes to register the part. Both the setup utility and the codes are given to Toshiba's authorized centers only so that they can overcharge customers.
I find this to be completely unacceptable and this is probably the last Toshiba product I will ever buy. Consumers should be viewed as 'valuable customers' not helpless cash cows with big wallets to be milked over and over again because they don't have alternatives.
By contrast, other vendors are way better. Electronics don't break too often but here are my few experiences. I had a Philips monitor that broke in what turned out to be the last week of 'warranty'. Philips fixed it and, amazingly, all they asked from me was the monitor's serial number. I bought a Samsung DLP TV that had a VERY SMALL display defect. After several attempts at repair failed, Samsung replaced it with a new TV and they reset the warranty to the date the NEW TV was delivered. A Sony digital camera got drenched at Niagara Falls and the LCD display in the back stopped working. Sony fixed it for a VERY REASONABLE fee, even though it was no longer under warranty. These are companies I will continue to patronize. Toshiba is not one of them.
And, one more thing. The usual wait time on hold is over 15 minutes, and this is AFTER the offshore call-taker picks up the phone and makes some time-wasting, unneeded and annoying scripted chit-chat ("is it okay if I call you by the first name?" and "[first name inserted here], what are you using your computer for?").

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Replace your desktop PC with the Toshiba Satellite L355-S7902 laptop, featuring all the power and hard drive space you expect from a top-of-the-line desktop but in an easily mobile package. Stylishly designed, this Toshiba Satellite features a large, bright 17-inch XGA-resolution LCD (1440 x 900)--perfect for viewing multiple application screens or watching widescreen movies on DVD. It's also great for using as a media center, with Toshiba's Express Media Player enabling you to bypass the system and access CDs and DVDs with a touch of button. The dual-layer DVD±RW drive also burns CDs and offers LabelFlash print functionality. A 1.3 megapixel digital web camera built into the LCD's bezel lets you quickly snap photos and participate in live video chats.
This notebook PC is powered by the 2.16 GHz dual-core Intel Pentium T3400, which provides easy multitasking capabilities. Other features include a generous 250 GB hard drive, 3 GB of RAM (4 GB maximum), 54g Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g), 5-in-1 memory card reader, 10-key keypad, and Intel GMA X4500M integrated graphics (with up to 1342 MB of dynamically shared video memory). Additionally, this Toshiba notebook is RoHS-compatible, effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances.

This PC also comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1, 32-bit), which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

Processor: The 2.16 GHz Intel Pentium T3400 dual-core processor delivers additional computing resources and help expand the PC's capabilities by providing higher throughput and simultaneous computing. You'll be able to perform multiple tasks such as digital rendering and gaming all while running virus scan or other background tasks seamlessly. And its Intel 64 architecture is also ready for tomorrow's 64-bit applications, and offers enhanced performance through improved virtual memory. Each core shares 2 MB of L2 cache, and they have a 667 MHz front-side bus. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)


Hard Drive: The generous 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) provides more than enough capacity for storing a large audio and video library, as well as extra space required for video editing. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to Firewire and USB 2.0.


Memory: The 3 GB of installed RAM (PC6400, 1 x 2 GB, 2 x 1 GB) helps boost the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this notebook's video card. It also offers an ultra-fast 800 MHz speed. This notebook has an 8 GB maximum RAM capacity. To receive the faster data transfer benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed.


DVD/CD Drive: The dual-layer Labelflash DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD±R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data--great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 6x for both DVD±R DL, 8x for both single-layer DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 5x DVD-RAM, and 24x/16x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.
With the Labelflash functionality, you can burn high-resolution, high-contrast pictures on the label side of DVD discs using the same laser used for data recording. Enjoy transparency and high-quality not found in traditional printable media. All you need is a Labelflash DVD disc to start labeling without a printer.



Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a 104-key keyboard--with 10-keypad on the side--and electro-static two-button touchpad. It also offers CD/DVD media player and control buttons (play, stop, next, previous) as well as a volume control dial.
Screen, Video & Audio This Toshiba Satellite has a 17-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels (native 720p for high-definition viewing). It also provides TruBrite technology, which makes images brighter and more vivid thanks to its anti-glare feature. Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500M, which uses shared video memory (up to 1342 MB allocated from the system memory) and provides Windows Vista Aero interface support and enhanced 3D graphics performance--delivering over 2x scores on 3DMark 06. Intel Clear Video Technology provides outstanding video playback with sharper image quality, increased clarity, and customizable color controls. It also enables enhanced visual quality of interlaced content on progressive displays.
This notebook also features an integrated audio card and two stereo speakers.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion This notebook has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard card slot (replacing the PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. It comes with the following external connectors:

3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
1 ExpressCard 54/34 slot
Video out: VGA
Microphone/line-in and stereo headphones/speakers/line-out
RJ-45 port for 10/100 Ethernet connection
56K modem port (V.90)
5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO)

Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 (32-bit) is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software Microsoft Works 9.0, Google Toolbar, Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5, Norton 360 All-in-One Security (30-day trial), and Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (60-day trial).

Dimensions & Weight This notebook measures 15.7 x 11.5 x 1.7 inches (WxDxH, and it weighs 7 pounds.

Power It comes with a 4000 mAH lithium-ion battery pack for extra-long battery life.

What's in the Box This package contains the Toshiba Satellite L355-S7902 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.

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