Toshiba Satellite E205-S1904 bundle user reviews

3.0 stars

"Not that great... WiDi still stinks" on February 10, 2010 by FWKnight

Pros: Fast processor

Cons: Overpriced given specifications, WiDi continues to dissapoint

Summary: I don't know why Cnet, a site I respect, continues to talk about WiDi... It's utter junk. Beyond that, this laptop is ok, certainly reliable, but given a 900 dollar pricetag, falls very short on hardware. Don't buy, don't get your hopes up for WiDi anytime soon.

Updated on Feb 10, 2010

@spiffypants

You don't have to own something to know whether or not it's a good deal. I can look at technical specifications and a dollar amount and make a pretty good judgment. The article is about this laptop in reference to WiDi, which I have used and its horrid. I have an Asus with equivalent specs purchased for 699 a year ago, not to mention its built better(Asus). Sorry to sound harsh or pessimistic, just trying to warn people.

Updated on Feb 16, 2010

Ok. I'll be sure not to discuss technical specifications ever again. Since this, I've noticed something interesting however... Only positive reviews are found helpful. All the negative ones have been found unhelpful.... seems people don't like constructive criticism. Do you make a habit out of reviewing other people's reviews? Have you said anything constructive in response to my comments on this laptop's hardware? No. I just don't get it. Maybe hardware specifications don't matter? Maybe price points are superficial? I guess how it looks sitting on your table is what matters.... Drivers? Locations? Wha? I've seen and touched this laptop at Best Buy. I guess I just dont understand why warning people of low specifications and high price(justified with WiDi, which still stinks) is a bad thing. I was hoping people would consider the points I WAS makng, not the ones i WASN'T.

4.0 stars

"GREAT Computer" on March 8, 2010 by cneter6

Pros: Everything

Cons: speakers could be better but what do you expect..it's a laptop...

Summary: very fast....easy set up....the push2tv is great and easy to set up/use...
I have been looking at laptops for months now and i am a VERY picky person who does alot of research...when i found this computer...it had everything i wanted in it..the only downfall was that the display laptops "mouse buttons" were very hard to push...but after alot of going back and forth i decided to go for it anyways....Best decision! the buttons on mine were easier to push and once you realize that you are supposed to push the top portion of the button....it makes life much easier.....the i5 processor is amazing....windows 7 is great....i saw some people point out that the screen changes brightnes...wel yea thats because it has a light sensor on it...i think its great.. you wan't go blind if your sitting in absolute darkness.... i really cant say enough good things about this computer... i'm 23 and very computer literate....(for those of you who think i may just some overly impressed older person who hasnt used a computer before)

4.5 stars

"Glad I waited to take the plunge for a new laptop" on February 13, 2010 by jerrr784

Pros: hdmi
backlit keyboard
WiDi
sd slot
speedy processor
sleek design

Cons: insufficient speaker volume
no bluetooth
touchy trackpad

Summary: I had been waiting since July 09 to purchase a new laptop. I'm glad my previous one held out just long enough, biting the dust the week the E205 was released.
This little gem is great with holding up to my multi-tasking. I commonly multi-tab browse with flash based games and youtube videos open. I have not experienced a lag once. The WiDi is fun to turn on at parties when someone talks about a new music or viral youtube video, a funny clip from a tv show or something great on peopleofwalmart.com. There is a slight delay from the laptop to the tv as far as the display, but what displays on the tv is in sync with the audio, which is what matters to me. A great way to watch streaming netflix movies, until they launch Wii streaming!
I am disappointed in the speakers. Even cranked to full volume, I have a hard time being able to hear some audio clearly (such as news video segments). However, the headphone jack is located unobtrusively enough that it works fine to use headphones without my wrists hitting the plug. Coming from my previous laptops, I have had to make a significant adjustment to resting my fingers while using the touch pad. I am used to being able to rest my fingertips in the empty space just below the bottom keyboard row and above the touchpad. On the E205, resting fingers in this way causes the pointer to jump down the screen when I apply my index finger to the touch pad. Even adjusting touch pad settings, no relief. jNot a deal breaker for me is the lack of bluetooth connectivity. I bought a slim bluetooth usb adapter, and that takes care of that issue.
All around, after a few weeks of use I am still very happy with my purchase of the E205. It was well worth my procrastination and insistence that none of the laptops which had come along since I began looking were 'good enough'.

4.0 stars

"Great i5 laptop" on February 10, 2010 by cbuziak

Pros: WiDi, i5 processor, backlit keyboard, general design, HDMI out, LED backlit screen

Cons: speakers, keyboard flex, no bluetooth, no blueray, lack of dedicated graphics makes this a limited gaming machine

Summary: I was shopping for a while for a laptop and would have Sony Vaio if Best Buy had not sold out before Christmas. I bought this Toshiba based on its debut at the CES and its new WiDi. While I thought the $899 price was a little high without either bluetooth or blue-ray, the inclusion of the WiDi netgear box for free and the extended warranty via Best Buy blue label make up for it. So far, I am very happy with this machine - it has more than enough power for most of my daily needs which include standard web surfing, occasional spreadsheets, itunes and photoshop. While the screen real estate is a little small (can't expect too much from a 14 inch screen), I run a 23 inch monitor via the HDMI jack and have no issues.

Size is great. I have a 13 inch Dell for work and the Toshiba seems lighter. Design is very pleasing. Standard gripe is the speakers (known issue) but I solved that by hooking up a set of speakers with my monitor. I will probably wear headphones whenever I travel so I don't think it will be a real issue. Only real flaw is that the keyboard seems to flex a little when I type. I would have preferred a more sturdy design but its not horrible.

So far, WiDi is cool but of limited use since it can't transmit anything copyrighted (e.g. bought DVD). I am hoping that gets resolved with a software patch once the WiDi standard is more formalized. I have streamed Hulu and Netflix with no problem.

I would have liked to see blue-ray, bluetooth and/or dedicated graphics. Since I don't game, the dedicated graphics has not been an issue yet.

Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase. Contrary to another post, I don't think you are going to find this setup (4 GB 1066 RAM, Backlit LED screen, 500 GB HD and i5-430 prcoessor) and the portability of the 14 inch screen for this price at this time.