Satisfied but This Laptop Could use More Power
Written: Mar 23 '02
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Pros: CDRW/DVD Drive, Win XP, Open Slot for extra cards, Built in Floppy/Modem/USB/Video Output, Clear Screen
Cons: Heavy, Modem port on right side, lacks RAM for Win XP, Celeron CPU, Runs Hot
The Bottom Line: Overall I like it but could use more RAM
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| x97schinkel's Full Review: Toshiba Satellite 1800-S207 (PS183U-00VFSPNC) PC N... |
Purchased this laptop for work on a strict budget. I am overall happy with this laptop; my only complaint is the lack of RAM and the Celeron processor. Windows XP needs a lot of RAM, at least 512 for starters so that it isn't a turtle when you run applications. Celeron is the low-end version of Pentium, I prefer the actual standard.
PROS:
- Nice buttons in front of laptop to quickly launch and play your cd music via Media player
- Windows XP. I prefer professional addition but I got the Home addition. No matter, I have grown to appreciate XP so far, it is nice and visual yet indeed, and it is still as powerful as Windows 2000 as far as I can without review XP to the fullest yet. Easy recovery of system if you have problems, more user friendly Operating System for the home user
- 2 USB ports
- CDRW Drive so I can burn stuff to CD for work. Since I work in an IT Dept., I have to have a CD burner, it is a must. It is also a DVD player so this is great and seems pretty fast. Comes with Roxio (Adaptec) Easy CD creator software, which is pretty much what everyone is using out there
- The screen is nice, colors are vivid and easy to use the F keys for functions such as changing your sound volume
- Built in floppy is at front for easy access. Don't have to worry about getting a docking station or attaching an external CD-ROM drive or floppy drive like IBM. What a pain, you don't have to worry about that with this laptop
- Decent price for what you get. I can't complain, just the RAM
- Nice look
- Quiet, not too loud
- Extra PCMCI slot for another card, maybe wireless or something that would be fun
- Built in Ethernet/NIC card for network connection. This is located in the back, good location so the Cat 5 cable doesn't get in the way when working with the laptop
CONS
- Runs pretty hot but I assume most laptops do; I just hope mine can handle it
- Modem is on the right side. This is a pain when trying to move your mouse if you are connected via a phone cable which can get in the way. They could have put that in the back next to the Ethernet card
- RAM is too low. Mine came with 256M SDRAM. Windows XP and even Windows 2000 requires in my opinion 512K to seem like it is moving fast with applications. I have put together PCs and now realize that XP hogs RAM like crazy as expected. 256 will do for now, it isn't dog slow but definitely will upgrade in a year for the RAM. If you don't know how to upgrade RAM, this is another reason to get as much as you can when you purchase the latest laptop in your price range. You would think they could have at least started it with 512 since ram is dirt-cheap right now.
- Can only upgrade the RAM to 512, that's it! This is the limit so this is not good if you plan on upgrading the RAM to 1GB, which is not uncommon these days. Remember as time passes, the requirements go up so 1GB isn't that unheard of
- Celeron processor is Intel's low-end processor. Can take away performance for games or applications along with the lower amount of RAM. The CPU and RAM are the most important for speed performance but 1.0 GB isn't that bad for a CPU. A year from now, that will seem very slow though of course since laptops are outdated faster than desktops
- Heavy. Can be a pain if you are a Mobile user for a company but not too heavy that it hurts your back. I am not complaining but it could be a bit lighter. I figure light isn't the most important to me, it is the quality, I can deal with the heaviness but is a con for most people
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): $1550
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Celeron
Processor speed: over 1000
RAM: 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 21-30
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Epinions.com ID:
x97schinkel
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Member: Dave Schinkel
Location: Chicago, IL
Reviews written: 38
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Sr. Software Developer
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