Design over Function - The Secret Recipe for Portege
Written: Aug 23 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Light in weight, Monitor, Size,
Cons: Bad design, possible manufacturing recall
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| larimer's Full Review: Toshiba Portege 3480CT (PP348C-4PU82) PC Notebook |
I am actually the computer administrator for epinion member: dhusch. With that said...let me tell me give you my opinion.
Why was this product purchased? It looked very good on paper and on other internet sites that have evaluated it. The amount of technical goodies that come with it are amazing and after seeing the screen, anyone would be willing to fall in love with it since its size and power are great. I know I was smitten, even though I would be more of a Tecra 8100 man. Basically, the user wanted a small computer that he could take everywhere (plane, train, and automobile) [Note: if you knew the user you would know that I am not kidding when I said that.] and still have the power to use it in an office situation. Since the user is not in the office more than 50% of the time, it made monetary value as well because it would be his desktop replacement as well.
After purchasing it, I spent a few hours installing the software. I ended up getting the Port Noteworthy CD/DVD because the Port CD wasn't available anymore. I also upgraded the memory to a much more reasonable 192MB (something every Win2000 machine should have). It really did get rather warm (not boiling hot, but uncomfortably warm) under the palm pad, which necessitated me pulling out my USB Keyboard to finish the job. Whenever I tried to install the software via CD, it would stop about halfway through and wouldn't be able to find the CD anymore. I had to add hardware for Win2000 to see it again, or reboot before it would start working again. Needless to say, I felt it was a bad CD and ordered a better CD System (Kanguru PCMCIA Portable) and in the meantime made due by installing over a wireless network (3COM Air Connect, wonderful product By The Way) and noticed that it was logging on and off every once in awhile. This led us to believe that the PC Card was being connected and disconnected...That and Windows kept prompting us to quit disconnecting the PC Card without going though the normal shut down procedure. ISSUE: Bad Motherboard. Take to local Service Technician. Calling Technical Support was pretty good and I got a case number without too much trouble. They agreed with my assertion.
After taking it to the service locale, I was told that a motherboard would be sent and it could be replaced in about two weeks. Not great, but not necessarily bad for a $2600 machine. After three weeks, I got impatient and demanded that Toshiba either replace the machine or send a motherboard. No real issue came from it, so I bought another 3480CT and was going to return the first one before my 30 day no questions asked return policy expired. Well, low and behold, this one not only had PC Card problems (found out later when I tested it) it also was unable to use it's mouse stick. A major flaw that should have never passed though their system. [When I worked for a hardware manufacturer we tested our machines before they went out the door.] This had led me to believe that the Portégé line is riddled with motherboard/hardware issues. I also opened up both machines to see if there was some shoddy replacement cable ribbon that didn't get put on right and but both seemed to be okay with the connections. What was interesting though is that the ports on the side are actually connected via cable ribbon to the motherboard and the plastic connections go right over the very warm and very fast moving hard drive. Not a good thing if you want clean interference free connection to whatever you have connected...right? Also, the hard drive is just sitting in there, there are no screws holding it other than the screws sandwiching it between the top palm rest and the bottom cover plate. You literally are putting your hands right on top of the hard drive, the only thing between you and it are a small metal (aluminum foil) "cover", the cable ribbons, and the plastic housing.
Given all these issues, I have forbid my user to buy anything from the Portege line until I hear from the manufacturer regarding the things I have brought up. I seriously suggest that other IS (Computer Service) people don't buy this for your organization because you will be spending all you time on this "toy" for your users rather than doing real work for the company. Our job is not to fix other manufacturers mistakes.
However, the Tecras are fine. Maybe it has to do with the issue that they are trying to design form over function in this case? You be the judge, just be warned.
Also I have looked at the other opinions here and the positives seem to be regurgitated press releases without any real examples of everyday living. And if they did, they don't seem reasonable: I know if I was sitting in front of a computer for seven hours straight, a warm hard drive would be the least of my worries--I would have a bad back, bad eye sight, carpel tunnel, and a bad communication skills with my fellow workers!
Again, just my humble opinion.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
larimer
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Member: xo
Location: berkeley, california
Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 0 members
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