Toshiba Satellite P25-S526 17" Laptop (3.20 GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW Drive)

by Toshiba

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 16.4 x 11.5 x 1.8 inches ; 9.9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 15 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002BAN36
• Item model number: PSP20U-5091HV
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 8, 2004

Product Description

Manufacturer Product Description

The Basics:
An awesome roster of portable computers designed for those who won't accept anything less than the finest mobile performance, Toshiba's P25 series of Satellite notebooks will handle virtually any duty you might normally reserve for high-end desktop PCs. As powerful "desktop replacement" notebooks, they are somewhat bulkier and less battery efficient than today's new breed of ultra-lightweight notebooks. However, true power users will find the extra size a small price to pay for amenities such as high-end Pentium 4 processing, solid 3D graphic capabilities and massive 17-inch widescreen displays. This model, the Satellite P25-S526 Notebook PC, features all of the above plus DVD recording and a spacious 80 GB hard disk.

Processor:
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. Some of today's notebooks are equipped with high-end CPU's on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quick enough only for basic duties such as word processing, email and the like. The Satellite P25-S526 lies firmly in the latter category, equipped with a blazing 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading. Hyper-Threading, a new Intel technology, allows a single CPU system (which most are) to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end tasks. Running at 3.2 GHz, this particular processor would be one of the fastest in any notebook, but it is nothing less than spectacular with its Hyper-Threading support.

Memory:
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The Satellite P25-S526 incorporates 512 MB of RAM, more than enough for most situations. Ultra-demanding users may want to expand their RAM, and with the Satellite P25-S526 they can, to a boggling maximum of 2048 MB.

Video:
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). This system's graphics controller is an nVidia GeForce FX Go5200 with 64 MB of dedicated video RAM. While a graphics card with 128 MB or more of video RAM is considered ideal for a completely smooth frame rate in state-of-the-art 3D games and 3D animation apps, this card is nevertheless comparatively powerful and more than enough for all but the most demanding gamers and 3D artisans.

Display:
You'll love the way your DVD movies and 3D games look on the system's roomy 17-inch TFT WXGA display. Substantially larger than most notebook viewing screens, this display is especially notable for its widescreen format, the same panoramic configuration favored by movie-makers and some high-end game producers. And with a maximum resolution of 1440 by 900, you can expect super-sharp images no matter what application you're using.

Hard Disk:
The Satellite P25-S526 features a massive 80 GB of hard disk space. This amount of data storage is a welcome perk indeed for those who want to operate a broad range of applications and also keep a large library of space-gobbling music and/or multimedia files.

Optical Drive:
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD). Some drives allow you to do a combination of all of these tasks. This system features a DVD-Super-Multi drive that supports all of the above in each of today's most common CD and DVD formats.

Audio:
The system features an integrated audio processor that mimics the spatial awareness of surround sound, and two harman-kardon speakers for powerful mobile stereo output.

Keyboard and Controls:
You'll control your notebook via an 85-key keyboard with 12 function keys, dedicated Windows keys support, and a TouchPad pointing device with scroll. CD controls include Play/Pause, Stop/Eject, Previous, and Skip/Next.

Connectivity and Expansion:
The Satellite P25-S526 offers a wide variety of ways to keep in touch, including a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, an RJ-45 Ethernet port for high-speed wired network and Internet, and integrated wireless LAN for cordless e-communication at home, at the office or on the road via a local public hotspot. Other key amenities include four high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, an infrared port for interacting with wireless peripherals, an IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders), and a digital (S-Video) TV-out port.

Operating System and Software:
Toshiba has fitted the system with today's most widely accepted operating system, Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition.

Dimensions and Weight:
Notebook computers are manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and weights. Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve lbs or more and therefore too big and cumbersome for extensive, continuous traveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements". On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that typically aren't as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two lbs and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. The Satellite P25-S526 is definitely larger than average, yet more compact than many other "desktop replacements" at 16.4 by 11.5 by 1.8 inches and 9.9 lbs.

Power:
The system is equipped with a 12-cell Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery that delivers 1.5 hours between charges. This is not particularly efficient when compared with less capable ultra-portables using Intel's Centrino technology and Pentium M processor, but is in keeping with standard desktop replacement battery longevity.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poor customer service - will not replace defective computers, September 24, 2004

By 

M. Erickson (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Toshiba Satellite P25-S526 17" Laptop (3.20 GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

The Satellite P25-S526 notebook computer has never worked properly -- it gives a fatal error message and the blue screen appears. The computer techs could not fix it, so it was sent back to Toshiba for repairs. They apparently replaced the hard drive, but when it was sent back to us, it continued its previous behavior. Toshiba refuses to exchange the defective computer for a new one that works. They claim that their warranty policy only covers the repair of the original computer. So far, we have wasted a month on this computer, and it still doesn't work. Plus, Toshiba wants us to send the computer back to them for more repairs. We may like the computer once it is working, but the hassle is not worth it. Buyers beware!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Toshiba P25- S526 , Takes a Licken' Keeps on Ticken', February 17, 2006

By 

MarfyBarfy "mahfromwi" (Janesville, Wisconsin United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toshiba Satellite P25-S526 17" Laptop (3.20 GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I've had my PS -S526 for two years, and it has been used as well as abused heavily.

In the past two years, there may have been one 18 hour time span where the computer wasn't in use, other than that, it is on a minimum of 12 hours a day. I have lost count of the number of times I have fallen asleep on the keyboard (with the 526 on). When I fall asleep at the keyboard, I seem to be incapable of turning it off, and usually shut the lid and fall asleep on the lid (with the computer on).

My 26 lb MaineCoon Cat takes care of the abuse. He has taken swan dives from an eight foot shelf on to the keyboard when I'm using it. Plus, the jealous 7 lb female cat has, on numerous occasions, peuked on it. The MaineCoon won't let us brush him, and our silly country town outlawed outdoor cats. Meaning...they are always indoors. No matter how often I clean, we constantly have two inches of fur dustbunnies hanging off of everything in the house, including the 526.

I play many games with it, watch movies on it, burn cds and dvds. I have many add ons attached...printers, mice, game controllers, keyboards and pads, and speakers.

I have upgraded my RAM to 1GB. I also have many other upgrade options with my harddrive and multidrive.

What I do is cool my laptop continually. These compact desktop replacements pack as much power as their big brother case equivalent CPU's do, and they create just as much heat.

Nothing will kill a computer like heat. If a person runs these 17 inch notebooks flat on a desk, facing a wall, or worse yet, in an armoire, they are frying the chips.

When I first started using my 526 I noticed the back of the 526 and the table it was sitting on was very warm. Without reading or going to support I ran out and got a chill pad. I knew enough to know that any electronic device without access to ventilation would die and early death. With the chill pad the 526 is slightly warm around the multi-drive (barely noticeable) and almost cold to touch through out the rest of the computer, and it has been on for over six hours.

Why my 526 still works is a miracle. Never a problem...not once.

As far as the heat of the P25, all notebooks create a lot of heat. All of them need to be cooled. The companies should include a cooling pad for every notebook sold. Obviously a Pentium 4 3.2 GHz 80 GB Hard Drive with a 17 inch screen will create more heat than a Celeron 20 GB hard Drive 12 inch portable.

This computer got a bad rap because most purchasers didn't understand the ramifications of the power they were buying. It's convieniently and affordably terrific. Marvelous, simply marvelous.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars 31 month old paperweight. Last Toshiba for me. Ever., April 5, 2007

By 

Charlie MacPherson "Charlie" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toshiba Satellite P25-S526 17" Laptop (3.20 GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I paid $2000 for this computer in 9/2004. Not a bad computer for the first 31 months. Then it suddenly died in 3/2007.

Toshiba referred me to the nearest authorized service center for an out-of-warranty repair. The repair center told me:

* P25 parts are being phased out.
* No NEW parts are available.
* There are scarce USED parts.
* These have poor reliability. (The last time they serviced this model, they had to order FOUR main boards before receiving one that worked!)
* These used parts carry only a 30-day warranty.
* The cost for the main board is $560 plus $110 for install. $670 total.
* Even though they were giving away their own profit, they told me that they thought it would be unethical to recommend that I repair it.

The service center appealed to their Toshiba rep. No help at all.

Leaving out the gory details of the long phone calls to poorly trained personnel, the end result is that I bought a new HP laptop with a 4-year extended warranty for a few hundred more that the repair bill that included a 30-day warranty.

Toshiba's refusal to stock adequate new repair parts, and their abysmal warranty on USED parts should make any consumer considering the purchase of a laptop think long and hard before buying one from Toshiba.

After my $2000 investment in a top-of-the-line Toshiba has turned into a useless paperweight, I won't make that mistake again. And a Google search on the usual suspects (such as "I hate Toshiba" and others you can guess) reveals that I'm not alone.