Toshiba Satellite M105 reviewed

If you're looking to do Core Duo on the cheap, it looks like Toshiba has you pretty well covered with their Satellite M105-S3011 laptop. It's no steal like Dell's Inspiron E1505, but for $1,050 direct -- and we're guessing cheaper at retail -- you get one of the lightest laptops in this price range (5.2 pounds, same as the MacBook), along with a few other perks to aid you in your Dell-free travels. The 1.6GHz Core Duo T2300 processor is sort of par for the course, but nothing to sneeze at, though with integrated graphics and 512MB of RAM the laptop does lag a bit in speed tests. But with a good-looking 1280 x 800 14.1-inch widescreen LCD, 100GB HDD, DVD+R DL disc drive and 3 hours 38 minutes of battery life, most non-gamers should be kept pretty well occupied. There's also FireWire, S-Video, four USB ports and a 4-in-1 card reader, along with dedicated media playback keys and a preboot app for media playback without booting the computer. PC Mag definitely recommends another stick of RAM, but were otherwise pleased with this value offering from Toshiba.

[9tinyfingaz @ Jun 24th 2006 4:41PM]

CompUsa
Satellite M105-S3002 Notebook
Toshiba Satellite M105-S3002 Notebook

Intel Core Duo Processor T2300, 1.66GHz, with Centrino Technology, 512MB RAM, 100GB Hard Drive, 14.1-inch WXGA TFT Display, 8X DVD+/-RW Drive, Windows XP Professional
- Product Number: 337638
- Mfr. Part #: PSNA0U-02Z008
- Brand:Toshiba
Was: $1,229.99
$899.99
SAVE $330 after:
$100.00 instant savings
$230.00 mail-in rebate(s)

[Vic @ Jun 24th 2006 5:34PM]

Interesting picture. The case is the same as my VAIO's VGN-s270. From location of USB ports to keyboard to touchpad.

[Ben @ Jun 24th 2006 5:51PM]

Nice, I got the following for $640 from Dell (E1405):

T2300
512mb DDR533
60GB 5400RPM
Intel 3945 a/b/g
14" WXGA+ (1440 x 900)
CD-RW/DVD
XP MCE

[Ben @ Jun 24th 2006 5:52PM]

Sorry for the additional post, but heres a review I wrote of the E1405:

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3009

[Sam @ Jun 24th 2006 9:06PM]

Does this one come with new "Catch On Fire" technology like the Dells?

[PMX @ Jun 24th 2006 9:56PM]

@John from Buffalo: Are you sure you didn't get a bad RAM stick when you upgraded it yourself? Did you ran Hardware Test? My MacBook doesn't have ANY of the problems you mentioned. It runs extremely cold, btw.

From Apple's site:
MacBook - $1099
T2400 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo
512 MB RAM - 667 DDR2
Height: 1.08 inches
1280x800, supports up to 1920x1200 on external display (at the same time)
60GB Serial ATA
Built-in iSight camera
Remote control (for iTunes, Front Row, presentations, etc)
Wireless & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
Firewire & USB 2
Optical digital audio in/out (as well as traditional analog in/out & built-in mic.)
Scrolling Trackpad
Mac OS X (Tiger, 10.4.6)
iLife (iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand)
Omni Outliner

Personal experience: I have a 1.83 MacBook w/ 1GB of RAM and everything just flies, period. It's also extremely silent, and the keyboard feels extremely comfortable. 5.2 pounds isn't exactly 'light', but not annoying either.
Battery life is GREAT, I get 5-5 and a half hours under normal usage.

About that E1405 Dell post: At that price (actually, a bit more, according to Dell's site, $200 rebate and all), it doesn't have a T2300 Core Duo, it has a 1.67GHz T1300 Core Solo.

I configured an Inspiron E1405 Dual Core with a 1.83 T2400 Core Duo, Bluetooth & a bare minimum software bundle (WordPerfect) and it comes out at $1,176, after a $300 rebate, and that's without a remote, XP Pro or a built-in cam. The MacBook's $1099 doesn't sound that bad, does it? Oh, and the Dell is also heavier and 38% thicker... ;-)

The Toshiba Satellite M105-3011 does not appear on Toshiba's site though, so I can't compare that (they only have the M!05-3012, at $1199.99, th M105-3004 at $1249.99 and the M105-3001 (Core Solo) at $999.99)

[Mathew @ Jun 24th 2006 11:49PM]

To the above Macbook poster: I own the same model and there is no way you are getting 5.30 hours unless you are running it with the screen almost completely dimmed. I've calibrated my battery and can get 3.45 on average and that's with medium screen brightness. I'm impressed enough with it but let's be realistic. Also I don't care how you try to cut it, the Dell is always going to be cheaper. Dell works on small margins with large volume. There is no way for Apple to compete with that business model no matter how many iPods they sell.

[Mas @ Jun 25th 2006 2:05AM]

nice specs - but nothing compared to the acer we just picked up for my brother's graduation. The x1600 with 128mb kicks the x13001400 and Mac's Intel Integrated by a very large margin. :)

Acer Aspire AS5672WLMi
15.4" Wide XGA (1280x800) NoteBook 6.6lbs
Intel Core Duo T2300(1.66GHz)
1GB DDR2 533
120GB 5400rpm
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 (128MB)
DVD Super Multi

>>$1,069.99

Newegg has it shipped for ~$1084.

[Mattisdada @ Jun 25th 2006 4:17AM]

Sorry to say engadget, but, get out in the real world!


I can pick up a Pentuim D 3.2ghz, 1gb of DDR RAM, 100GB of space, 124MB of ATI ranidon glory(Graphics) for onl $898AU(Which is less then USD)

With a wicked looking case.

Learn to shop guys. You will save money and get an awsome system(this is a laptop im talking about, yes, there the best laptop specs youve ever seen arnt they)

[Mattisdada @ Jun 25th 2006 4:18AM]

Oh and sorry to double post, it also had a Wireless card in it(D-Link i think it was)and a 17" screen^_^.

[Intrepid @ Jun 25th 2006 5:14AM]

Mac mac mac. It's a toshiba post- get lost fanboys. Go look at and regret your expensive purchases whilst the rest of us get on with the world of PC's (which mac is really a part of now that it is copying our hardware),

[PMX @ Jun 25th 2006 9:21AM]

@Mathew: yes, I am (level 2) and I consider the higher default bright enough to get a nice tan ;) Also, turning off Bluetooth if you are not using it helps.

@Mattisdada: You can't compare a Pentium D (Pentium 4 architecture) with a Core Duo (Pentium M architecture) on a MHz basis - the Core architecture does a LOT more in each cycle than the P4, by design.

Check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hertz_Myth
particularly under the heading "The myth becomes counterproductive"