Toshiba Satellite A305-S6845

Type: Gaming, General Purpose, Media
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T8100
Processor Speed: 2.1 GHz
RAM: 3 GB
Weight: 5.8 lb
Screen Size: 15.4 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
Storage Capacity: 400 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

Toshiba is not breaking any ground with its Fusion design. Hewlett-Packard (HP)Pavilion dv6500t. IMD is being used on many mainstream laptops, such as those by Gateway. ASUS just launched its own line of IMD-decorated laptops, with subtle patterns topped off by a lustrous finish. The Lenovo IdeaPad Y510 takes a different route by adding texture to the lid, and other manufacturers are painting in solid colors. The move to Intel's latest "Penryn" technology has been implemented across the board on most mainstream laptops. Until this summer, when Intel moves to its next-generation platform, code-named "Montevina," the 2.1-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 is about as up-to-date as you can get. Combined with 3GB RAM, the A305 is a formidable performance laptop. Its SYSmark 2007Sony VAIO VGN-FZ485U and the Fujitsu Lifebook A6120 by 13 percent and 10 percent, respectively. It also had a slight performance edge over its smaller sibling, the Satellite U405. But the ASUS M50Sa-A1 and the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (Penryn) delivered better performance numbers across the board. was a pioneer in in-mold decoration (IMD)—the technique of inlaying designs beneath a glossy finish—with its Preview Overall score surpassed.

Toshiba Satellite A305-S6845 Going with a 15-inch form factor let toshiba fit in four USB ports, one more than the U405 has. The USB ports have what toshiba calls its "Sleep-and-Charge" technology, or the ability to charge an iPod or other small device while the system is shut down. Sleep-and-Charge even works without the AC adapter, so, essentially, you're borrowing a charge from the A305's battery. While having dual 200GB hard drives, for a total of 400GB worth of storage, is worthy of praise, I found it less desirable that one drive has a slower rotational speed (4,200 rpm) than the other (5,400 rpm), which can adversely affect performance. (toshiba likely did this to save on costs.)

Unlike the Fujitsu A6120 and the Satellite U405, the A305 integrates a discrete graphics card from ATI for casual 3D game play. It didn't deliver gaming results like the Apple MacBook Pro, with its nVidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics card, but the A305 held its own in the World in Conflict demo. (3DMark06 and Crysis, for unknown reasons, failed to complete.) I wouldn't recommend lugging this system around town much. At 5.8 pounds, it's on the heavy side, weighing as much as the HP dv6500t. It is, however, lighter than the Dell XPS M1530, the Fujitsu Lifebook A6120, the Lenovo Y510, or the Gateway M-152XL. The toshiba Satellite U405-S2830 is a 4.7-pound version of the A305 and is much better suited to travel purposes. The reason for investing in a bigger machine, however, is the benefit of a spacious 15.4-inch widescreen. It's invaluable when you're working with multiple windows, and provides a better cinematic experience than, say, the Satellite U405's 13-inch widescreen.