A variety of online resellers and local computer stores sell several preconfigured versions of the Satellite M45. We tested the Satellite M45-S165, which costs a very reasonable $1,049 (as of July 2005) in light of its configuration. The system features an inexpensive 1.5GHz Celeron M 370 processor; a standard 512MB of slower 333MHz SDRAM; a big and quick, 80GB, 5,400rpm hard drive; an ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics chip that borrows up to 64MB of VRAM from main memory; a sweet, double-layer multiformat DVD burner; and a standard Atheros 802.11b/g wireless card. In comparison, you can configure a Dell Latitude D510 that costs about $40 less than the Satellite M45, but the former includes a slower 1.3GHz Celeron M processor and a slightly smaller, 15-inch display with a lower 1,024x768 native resolution. A similarly configured ThinkPad R-series laptop costs hundreds more than both the Toshiba and the Dell, though the ThinkPad's Embedded Security Subsystem adds a level of data security that the other two lack.
The Satellite M45 kept its head well above water in CNET Labs' mobile benchmarks. It ran 19 percent faster than its bulkier sibling, the Toshiba Satellite M35X, which carries a slightly slower 1.4GHz Celeron M and a 4,200rpm hard drive but includes more ports and multimedia controls for a lower price. Though the Satellite M45 finished behind the Latitude D510 and ThinkPad R52 configurations we reviewed, both the Dell and the ThinkPad had much faster (and more expensive) parts, including the latest-generation Pentium M processors and more video memory. Despite its respectable performance, the Satellite M45 drowned in our battery-drain tests, lasting a meager 1 hour, 31 minutes. Most mainstream laptops, including the Latitude D510 and the ThinkPad R52, last at least 2 hours or longer.
The Satellite M45's warranty coverage includes the typical one year of free parts and labor via return-to-depot service, as well as toll-free, 24/7 phone support. Toshiba also offers a number of fairly priced warranty extension plans, which include benefits such as four-year service terms, onsite service, and accidental damage protection. Toshiba's support Web site contains the usual FAQs and downloads, along with a link to the Windows Users Group Network (WUGNET) laptop forum, where you can ping other portable users for advice.
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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BAPCo MobileMark 2002 performance rating |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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BAPCo MobileMark 2002 battery life in minutes |
System configurations:
Dell Latitude D510
Windows XP Pro; 1.6GHz Pentium M 730; 512MB DDR2-SDRAM PC3200 400MHz; Intel 915GM/GMS, 910GML Express 128MB; Toshiba 4026GAX 40GB 4,200rpm
ThinkPad R52
Windows XP Pro; 1.73GHz Pentium M 740; 512MB; Intel 915GM/GMS, 910GML Express 128MB; Hitachi 5K100 40GB 5,400rpm
Toshiba Satellite M35X-S163
Windows XP Home; 1.4GHz Celeron M-360; 512MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM 333MHz; Intel Extreme Graphics 2 for Mobile 855GM/GME up to 64MB; Hitachi Travelstar 80GN 80GB 4,200rpm
Toshiba Satellite M45-S165
Windows XP Home; 1.5GHz Celeron M-370; 512MB DDR-SDRAM PC2700 333MHz; ATI Radeon Xpress 200M 64MB; Toshiba MK8026GAX 80GB 5,400rpm
