Toshiba Satellite A355-S6879 - Core 2 Duo T5800 2 GHz - 16" TFT

Description: The Toshiba Satellite A355-S6879 is a 6.4-pound, mainstream consumer notebook computer.Compared to other mainstream notebooks on the market, it is relatively inexpensive at around $800.The 16 inch widescreen has a native resolution of 1366 x 768, which is better than most notebooks.Runs on the Intel Core 2 Duo processor.This configuration has a 250GB hard disk drive and 3 GB of memory.

Pros: The External Serial ATA port (ESATA) will transfer data to an external hard drive much faster than USB 2.0.

Cons: Has a modest 2 GHz CPU speed.This is not out of line with the product's price, but is slower than the average notebook on the market today.Also, this notebook has a 6.4-pound weight, which is heavier than some similarly priced notebooks.For example, the HP Compaq Business 2510p, at around $770, has only a 2.9-pound weight.The poor battery performance of this notebook means it has to be recharged more often than other notebooks in its class.Graphics-intensive applications (such as texture-rich games, DVD playback, and video editing) will hinder performance on a system that relies on shared video RAM.

Suitability: A consumer level notebook, suited for general mobile computing.If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Web from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled laptop.Archive your digital videos using this computer's DVD writer.

Value: In view of its relatively inexpensive price, this notebook has great features for the money.Generally, not targeted at the gaming crowd, this computer will likely fulfill more modest laptop needs.

Suggestions: (1) Given this device's Wi-Fi capability, you may want to get a wireless access point for your home, so that you can browse the Internet more conveniently from any room.(2) The integrated camera, while it does not have the resolution of most digital cameras, can be handy if you want to video chat over the Web.

CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.

• Manufacturer: Toshiba
• Part Number: PSALWU-00E009

• General

• Platform Technology Intel Centrino
• Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, Wireless LAN antenna
• Width 14.3 in
• Depth 10.5 in
• Height 1.5 in
• Weight 6.4 lbs
• Color Fusion finish with horizon pattern
• Localization United States
• Notebook type Mid-size laptops (6-7.5 lbs.)
• Wireless capabilities IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11 n (draft)

• Processor

• Processor Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 / 2 GHz
• Multi-Core processor technology Dual-Core
• 64-bit processor Yes
• Data bus speed 800 MHz
• Chipset type Mobile Intel GM45 Express

• Cache Memory

• Type L2 cache
• Cache size 2 MB

• RAM

• Installed Size 3 GB / 8 GB (max)
• Technology DDR2 SDRAM - 800 MHz
• Memory specification compliance PC2-6400
• RAM configuration features 1 x 1 GB + 1 x 2 GB

• Environmental Parameters

• Environmental standards EPEAT silver, RoHS, EPEAT Silver
• Min Operating Temperature 41 °F
• Max Operating Temperature 95 °F
• Humidity Range Operating 20 - 80%

• Storage Controller

• Storage controller type Serial ATA/IDE
• Storage Controller / Serial ATA Interface Serial ATA-150

• Storage

• Floppy Drive None
• Hard Drive 250 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
• Storage Removable None
• Hard drive type Portable

• Optical Storage

• Type DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM - Integrated
• CD / DVD read speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)
• CD / DVD write speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 6x (DVD±R DL)
• CD / DVD rewrite speed 24x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 5x (DVD-RAM)
• Disc Labeling Technology Labelflash Technology

• Optical Storage (2nd)

• 2nd optical storage type None

• Card Reader

• Card reader type 5 in 1 card reader
• Supported flash memory cards Memory Stick, MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card, xD-Picture Card, Memory Stick Pro

• Display

• Display Type 16 in TFT active matrix
• Max Resolution 1366 x 768 ( WXGA )
• Widescreen Display Yes
• Features TruBrite
• Screen type Widescreen

• Video

• Graphics Processor / Vendor Intel GMA 4500MHD
• Max Allocated RAM Size 1340 MB

• Audio

• Audio output type Sound card
• Audio Output Features Harman/kardon stereo speakers
• Audio Input Microphone

• Notebook Camera

• Camera Type Integrated

• Input Device(s)

• Input device type Keyboard, Touchpad
• Keyboard localization and layout US
• Features Toshiba EasyKeys

• Telecom

• Modem Fax / modem
• Max transfer rate 53 Kbps

• Networking

• Networking Network adapter
• Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
• Wireless NIC Intel WiFi Link 5100
• Data link protocol Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n (draft)
• Networking standards IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED, IEEE 802.11n (draft)

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 2 ( 0 ) x Memory, 1 ( 1 ) x ExpressCard/54
• Interfaces 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Audio - SPDIF output/headphones, 1 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone 3.5 mm, 1 x Headphones - Output - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire), 3 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45, 1 x Modem - Phone line - RJ-11, 1 x Storage / Hi-Speed USB - Hi-Speed USB / eSATA

• Miscellaneous

• Compliant Standards RoHS

• Power

• Power device form factor External
• Voltage Required AC 120/230 V

• Battery

• Technology 6-cell Lithium ion
• Installed Qty 1
• Battery capacity 4000 mAh

• Operating System / Software

• OS Provided Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Software Skype, Google Picasa, Google Desktop, Google Toolbar, Toshiba Assist, Toshiba Resources, LoJack for Laptops, Norton 360 (Trial), Toshiba ConfigFree, Toshiba DVD Player, Microsoft Works 9.0, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Toshiba Disc Creator, CyberLink PowerCinema, Toshiba Speech System, Toshiba Bluetooth Stack, Face Recognition software, Toshiba Value Added Package, WildTangent Orb Games Console, Sun Java 2 Runtime Environment, Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5 for Toshiba, Toshiba Extended Tiles for Windows Mobility Center, Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (60 days trial)

• Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 1 year warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year

• Sustainability

• EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Silver
• Greenpeace policy rating (Sept 2009) 5.7

Toshiba

Manufacturer profile

• Website: http://www.toshiba.com
• Address: 1251 Avenue of the Americas, Irvine, CA. 92618
• Phone: 1-800-316-0920