Toshiba Satellite A15-S157 Laptop (2.20-GHz Celeron, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive)

by Toshiba

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 4.5 x 0.6 inches ; 6.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 12 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00009V7IQ
• Item model number: PSA10U-01C8WV
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,168 in Computers & Accessories (See Top 100 in Computers & Accessories)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 16, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Descriptions

Featuring a cost-effective Intel Celeron processor and middle-of-the-road accouterments, the Toshiba Satellite A15-S157 Notebook is a wise choice for budget-conscious individuals, students, and anyone who needs a computer that'll handle the basics. Distinct from Toshiba's entry-level Satellite A15-S127 Notebook in several areas -- including wireless communication and twice the memory -- the Satellite A15-S157 represents solid value.

The key word here is economy, and to that end Toshiba has equipped the Satellite A15-S157 with one of today's best "bang for the buck" processors, the 2.2 GHz Intel Celeron. Accompanying the Celeron is an impressive 512 MB of PC2100 DDR memory and an Intel 852GM graphics chipset with 32 MB of shared video memory. With this level of power, the system can't be called upon for complex 3-D rendering or high-end games. It is, however, perfectly satisfactory for standard word processing, database and spreadsheet activities, e-mail communication, and Internet surfing.

Measuring 13 by 11.5 by 1.5 inches and tipping the scales at just 6.1 pounds, the Satellite A15-S157 is relatively compact and comfortably lightweight. Inside, you'll find such amenities as a 15-inch display screen (1024 by 768 maximum resolution), stereo speakers, a full-size 85-key keyboard with 12 function keys and a TouchPad pointing device, a satisfactory 40 GB hard disk and a DVD/CD-RW drive through which you can burn and listen to audio CDs, archive files, and enjoy the latest Hollywood blockbusters. In its stock form, the Satellite unit does not permit DVD burning.

Connectivity options are plentiful but not quite as upscale as those of its pricier competitors. Though the system does feature two USB 2.0 ports for plug and play peripherals, integrated 802.11b LAN, a 56K modem and an RJ-45 LAN network port, it does not include a high-speed FireWire interface (often used to link devices such as digital camcorders). Bundled software includes Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Works, and Intuit Quicken Basic 2001. Battery life is estimated at a commendable 3.13 hours.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome laptop!, July 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Toshiba Satellite A15-S157 Laptop (2.20-GHz Celeron, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

This Toshiba laptop is built very nice with superb features. 15" screen is very good for watching DVD or computing work, resolution is great. 40GB hard disk is big enough for most people considering that it has a fast CD-RW built-in.

All the usual connectivity features like USB 2.0, ethernet, modem, 802.11b wireless built in. 512MB is excellent for Win XP and possibly future OS. If you don't need extra RAM and wireless you can get S127 model for somewhat lower price.

2.2GHz Celeron is more than enough for 99% of people. The battery life is adequate and weight is a very reasonable 6 lbs for 15" screen laptop. Keyboard is very good and touchpad is excellent once you get used to it.

It will get hot since it uses a desktop Celeron and there will be some fan noise. Get a Centrino/Pentium-M based laptop if you want cooler, more portable and smaller laptop. But it might cost you twice the money.

Much better built than a Dell or HP. Dell has too many tricks on their website to get a decent price for similar configuration. HP uses third party chipsets on their low end laptops. Athlon laptops are also equipped with poor quality SiS chipsets. The chipset used in this is Intel 852GM with 32MB shared video memory. Intel chipsets are solid and stable.

All in all a superb laptop for students, home users and small business use. Perfect PC replacement with easy portability. Toshiba rocks!

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Toshiba S157 AND S127 owner., October 5, 2003

By 

Sev "stisev" (San Francisco, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toshiba Satellite A15-S157 Laptop (2.20-GHz Celeron, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

As an owner of a Toshiba S127 and this S157, I can tell you that this thing is pure quality. Dell's laptops have gotten almost pitiful in quality, while IBM are insanely priced. Where's the quality, inexpensive laptops? Toshiba is your answer.

Trust me guys. Get this model. I bought the S127 and ended up giving it to my mom. This model comes with the built in wireless Internet (which is awesome), 40GB of storage, 512MB DDR (XP uses MUCH more than 256MB even doing the simplest tasks), and 2.2Ghz Celeron (you can't tell the difference between 2Ghz & 2.2 Ghz,trust me).

I scored my S157 in brand new condition for $825 off some really nice guy off eBay I struck a deal with. (I picked it up locally)

I'm going to review every single thing about this laptop, sequentally. Please note that this is an unbiased review:

1.) Keyboard: Probably the best keyboard i've ever used in over 18 years of computers. I loved these soft key laptop keyboard. Doesn't have that annoying cursor thing in the middle of the keyboard that some people like to use. (Most despise it, though)

2.) TouchPaD: Works great. Two basic buttons, silver color, and work perfectly.

3.) 15" XGA screen. The screen is nice, bright, and vivid, but I definately could use SXGA (1280x....) XGA is only 1024x768 and is just enough for basic tasks

4.) Speakers: Silver titinium stereo speakers. They work adequately for basic needs. What can I say? They're laptop speakers. Go pickup some Logitech Z-340s for $30 at Best Buy. They will compliment these nicely.

5.) Design: Design is superb. The laptop is suprisingly thin (1 inch) and the colors are perfect. Really great job.

6.) Weight: 6.15 lbs, according to my measurements.

7.) LEDs: The LEDs are great. 5 basic small LEDs that tell you what's going on. Nothing fancy.

8.) 802.11b Wireless (S157 only). This is great. You can save your PCCard slot; you can also disable/enable the device whenever you want. Someone mentioned somewhere that the built-in wireless card means it uses the notebook as an antenna. I don't believe that though.

9.) CD-RW/DVD ROM: Works perfectly. I would've perferred a trayless drive (like the Pioneer 16x DVD drives) but hell, this is great. They both work great.

8.) Battery Life: Battery life is not as good as I would like it to be. I get 2 1/2 hours max out of this computer on a full battery charge, assuming light working conditions. Extra battery costs $150+tax at Best Buy or Circuit City. I'm using my mother's S127 batter. ;)

9.) Noise Level: Both computers are dead silent. There is a fan that turns on once in a while to cool the computers. The fan isn't loud at all.

10.) PC Card Slot: It only has 1 PC Card slot, but that's not an issue anymore now that I have built in wireless internet

11.) Ports:
Serial: Great but I don't use it.
Parallel: Ok, I still don't use it.
2x USB 2.0: Now, this is beautiful. I have several USB devices, some even USB 2.0, that I use with this computer.
Neither models come with S-Video, DESPITE what some specifications say. The model also comes with external VGA for connecting to a projector or external monitor.
RJ45 (Ethernet) AND Modem already installed. What a great value.

12.) Performance:
Hard drive: Works decently. Only 4200 RPM, so don't expect mind-blistering performance, but it's fast enough even for an end user.

Processor: 2.2Ghz Celeron is like a crippled P4; nevertheless, it performs almost all basic functions with ease. Gamers apply elsewhere.

Sound: No comments. Sound works. :)

Video: This is my biggest complaint (besides the microphone) about this model. Comes with 32MB Intel Extreme Graphics (Shared). Because it's shared with system memory, people tend to think it's 64MB Intel graphics; believe me, it's NOT. It's 32MB Intel extreme graphics that will let you do only the basic video or gaming. Don't expect any kind of performance from this. I really wish Toshiba had put an ATi Radeon mobility in here, but for the price I'm not complaining. :-)

* Software: I don't use the software that comes with this bundle, but make sure to check the personal cons below for additional details.

* Toshiba Utilities: As with most utilities, I don't like running manufacturer's utility files, but Toshiba's aren't _that_ bad. (I still don't run them, though). They allow you to control most of the function buttons at the topic and assign them different functions.

Build Quality: This is where the laptop truly shines. Putting IBM's insanely high quality and price tag, this is the best laptop you can get for budget-price quality. Toshiba rules.

Personal Cons:

* No built in Microphone. The thing has a port for a microphone, but I really, really wish Toshiba had put one in. I know this isn't an issue for most people, but I use microphones on a daily basis. They're cheap, granted, but that's another thing to lug around.

* Rebates: Ugh, I hate rebates. I got my S127 for $760 (after 8.5% tax) and after $250 rebates. I got my S157 for $825 cash from some guy on eBay.

* One thing that annoys me is that Toshiba has loaded this comp with plenty of useless junk like AOL, Special offers, etc. This is an easy fix. I just wiped the drive and put XP Professional on there and boom, it's done. :) The S157, IIRC, comes with Microsoft Works, which I don't use.

If you want more detailed pictures of this laptop, search on www.newegg.com. They have both models and detailed pictures on it.
I hope I haven't missed anything. :)

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Geat all-round notebook., August 27, 2003

By 

Stephen Nothnagel "Stephen" (St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toshiba Satellite A15-S157 Laptop (2.20-GHz Celeron, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I am a student (14yrs) and I was shopping around for a laptop for [a certain price range]. I tried dell and hp, but there was no way to get this kind of configuration for this price. Then I found this laptop, and I immediately knew I had to get it. It arrived less than a week after I ordered it on amazon.com. Here are the pros and cons of this laptop:

PROS:

*Performance:
The laptop comes with a 2.2ghzs celron processor, which is more than enough for the average student. It is even very fast at ripping MP3s, which uses a lot of processing power.

*Graphics Card:
The graphics card that comes with this is a 64MB Intel video card. I was blown away by its performance. I turn all the graphics settings in Flight Simulator 2002 to full, and the video still moved smoothly. This graphics card is certainly good enough for the casual gamer, but serious gamers should look elsewhere. (The battery life stinks when playing games though - I only got about one hour when playing NFS III)

*Screen Size:
The screen is huge - almost as big as a 17" CRT monitor. It is also very crisp and clear. I will never go back to those bug bloated blurry CRT screens.

*Weight:
This isn't really a pro or a con - at 6.2lbs, it is neither heavy nor light. A 2.2ghzs Pentium 4 laptop would be about 8lbs (very heavy), but compared to a 4lbs Apple Power Book, this laptop is quite heavy.

*802.11b:
This laptop has an integrated WiFi card. When I bought this laptop, I also bought a USB 802.11b Wireless network adapter for [a price], and in 20 minutes I was surfing the net with no wires attached. Also you can turn of the wireless card to save batteries if you're not using it. Great for surfing the net anywhere in your house.

*Combo Drive:
The integrated CD burner / DVD drive means that you can watch DVDs or burn Cds right from your laptop. This is a great plus for people who want to do everything from there laptop. Now I almost never use my desktop PC.

*Dual Monitor Support:
This is great for people who want to make power point presentations from there laptop. You get a lot more control over the presentation.

CONS:

*Battery Life:
They say you get more than 3 hrs battery life, but don't expect more that 2 and a half hrs of word processing, and even less when watching a DVD or gaming.

*Heat:
The bottom left hand side of the laptop gets very hot . After a about 15mins, it gets too hot to use on your lap. I did find a position where I didn't touch the hot part, so that solved the problem.

CONCLUSION:
This is the best laptop out there for the average student, casual gamer or someone on a budget, but serious gamers, and persons who want a light weight laptop, or lots of battery life should look elsewhere.