Customer Reviews

Toshiba Satellite P205-S6347 17-inch Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5450, 2 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, HD SuperMulti DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When the computer arrived and I was ready to get to work, I was quite disappointed with Windows Vista. After calls to Amazon Customer Service, Microsoft and Toshiba, Toshiba finally solved the problem by letting me know that Vista already has a miriade of updates. After installing all the updates, and adding an external mouse, I am adjusting to Vista. DO NOT BUY THIS COMPUTER IF YOU PLAN TO DOWNGRADE TO XP IF YOU DON'T LIKE VISTA! I was told by Toshiba that this unit is not capable of running XP. I did manage to get XP installed but it wouldn't run. I thought of returning the unit to amazon but decided not to when I was told there could be up to a 25% restocking fee. Plus I really didn't want to return the computer. I love the large keyboard and the numeric pad. Vista runs slow it seems at first. What it really is, is a gentler response time so when it takes a second or two for a response it seems to be running slower. It's easy to adjust to if you give it a chance. I like the feel of the keyboard and its apparently solid construction. One of the best parts about this computer is Toshiba's customer service. When you call there, you actually get someone who speaks English even though I detected a European accent of some sort, maybe German or Dutch. Either way, you feel like you are being understood when you speak to Toshiba's customer service. The second time I talked to them, they tried to get me to reformat the hard drive but I wasn't willing to do that. I had already wiped the drive clean to install XP and when it didn't work, I used the recovery discs to start back at square one.

After the initial frustration with Vista (if you're not used to it), I think you will totally enjoy this computer. Especially if you are looking for a desktop replacement. Be prepared to be obligated to use certain software though. I've been using Office 97 (old I know but I like it), and it won't run on this computer, so I tried using MS Works for my charts and graphs - it works,but not as nice as Xcel. If you make allowances for the software, this is a great piece of computer hardware for the price. I also got it because I was waffling between the 6287 and this one - 6337. I couldn't confirm that the 6287 would upgrade to 4 GB of ram so I went with this unit which will take 4GB. Probably necessary for running Vista. A faster processor would probably help the slow issue too. Still it's not hard to get used to. My computer arrived two weeks ago today and I've settled nicely into using it even though the first few days were rather frustrating. The widescreen is wonderful, the keyboard is fabulous, and the solid feel of the unit makes me think it will like last me quite a while!

None of these has 800MHz. If you check the Vista homepage, you will find that to get the full visual and performance effect of Aero Technology (what Vista is good for) you need a video (graphics) card with at least 128mg discrete memory and a procesor with 800MHz FSB. Toshiba does offer those, just not on any I have read the tech for at Amazon.com

I purchased the Toshiba Satellite P205-S6337 from Amazon about 2 weeks ago. It was delivered as advertised two days later. I have been very pleased with it since. The screen resolution is excellent, the memory and hard drive are substantial for the price and the workmanship and features are good. I have previously owned a Toshiba Satellite M30X-S171ST laptop and this computer is a significant upgrade. I especially like the Supermulti DVD drive with Labelflash that works with 11 formats, and the wireless draft-N standard which will permit much higher wireless speeds. I use my laptop primarily when I travel to keep in touch with news, weather, market reports and occasionally for some business. I have noticed the Windows Vista Premium installed does have a few delays (as noted in other reviews), and this could also be attributed to the 4200 speed for the hard drive, but for my purposes this is an excellent laptop. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a desktop replacement with a 17 inch widescreen, while realizing this will incur some additional weight. There are two other members in the Toshiba P205 family with different tweaks and features that may interest others, but this one is fine for me.
Amazon's service was exactly what I always receive from them-- well-documented with e-mail shipping notices, shipments arriving per your order,rebate info, and containing new merchandise with appropriate items included. Ready for Use.

I enjoy screening select Netflix instantly viewable online movies with this computer and the flexibility of hooking up the S-video & headphones output to the front panel of our Panasonic Plasma TV when there is a movie the whole family wants to watch (e.g. The Fastest Indian - a great movie by the way). Computer is much faster than my old HEAVY Dell SmartStep 250N that had terrible sound. The builtin wireless card works well with our Verizon FiOS router. No problem with a very warm battery like with the Dell when I am relaxed in the recliner. The fingerprint reader is an added plus and faster than having to type in a password each login. No problems with Vista. My only doubt was whether to get the HD DVD version, but we have not gone HD, except with OTA and the Verizon FiOS TV.

I've had this laptop for a month now and it is an EXCELLENT desktop replacement. One of the main reasons why I got it is because I deal with lots of numbers and I just have to have a numeric keyboard. Sure, I can use my USB one, but it is just such a hassle.

17" is great for video viewing and it gives you extra room to work in- very comfortable for the eyes. The speakers are just as great as well.

It is also one of the quietest computers I've ever had- I can't even hear it . I had a Sony laptop from Costco before this and the high pitch sound was driving me so nuts that I had to return it. I was afraid that I will have a similar problem with Toshiba, but luckily I was wrong.

It is surprisingly light. I was very worried that I will have to drag lots of weight around if I need to bring it with me on the road.

The negative side:
The battery life is not very long - 2h MAX! You are working with a 17" after all.

Another main selling point for me was the fingerprint reader, but it turned out to be pretty useless. If you're using Firefox, forget about using it- it only works with IE. Most of the time it takes more than a minute to get it work anyways, so I'm sorry, but you'll have to let go of your dreams of forgetting your passwords and go biometric (for now at least).

Vista can be a bit slow, but it's not that bad. I think every computer on the market right now will have a similar problem anyways (at least until there is better hardware to support all the quirks of Vista ).

Since you're dealing with a 17", you might need to switch to a bigger backpack/carry bag if you want to drag this thing around.

I bought my Toshiba from Staples in July, and I absolutely love it. I have had no problems whatsoever. It runs all the software that I need it to effortlessly. Very happy!!!

After much research, I chose the Toshiba Satellite P205-S6337. Previously, I had an HP ZD 8080 and HATED it. The hard drive had to be replaced after 18 months and shortly afterwards the monitor developed horizontal lines making it unusable as a laptop. In addition, it took me a week and several trips to Circuit City to get the HP functioning when I purchased it 2 1/2 years ago.

I opened the Toshiba box, which I received through Amazon.com in TWO days (free shipping). I plugged it in, surfed around in Vista for the first time, transferred my pictures from a thumb drive, and chose my settings for the desktop. All within a couple hours one evening! Am I happy? Yes, I am. Is this a technical review? No, it isn't. Does Vista work for my application (picture editing, web surfing and word processing)? I sure does.
Was it a great value at only about $900? Absolutely.

I purchased this laptop for myself, my 8yrs old, 6yrs old and 14yrs old to use. We all love this laptop. I purchased a sony vaio before, then a hp pavilion entertainment PC for my older sons. These laptops were great but this by far is the one i love out of all three. The screen size and pic are great. Its fast and has tons of memory. I love it, it does what i need it to do.

Idid a lot of research before I went and got a new computer, and this was the best one I looked at. I have had it for a few months and I love it! It's fast, with lots of storage and I love the new Vista!

I love this laptop. It looks great, handles great. Obviously the 17 inch is going to be a bit heavier. The battery life isn't so great but I'm always near power. I'm hating Windows Vista and hoping this will backwards compatible support an XP pro platform. According to some tech forums it is, but I'd have to do a lot of downloading of new drivers for everything.