A Product Review of the Best Selling 15.4" Toshiba Satellite A215-S5857 Laptop

The Toshiba Satellite A215-S5857 is part of the A215 series which means it is an inexpensive AMD powered notebook. This is a 64bit notebook running a 64bit version of Windows Vista, and which really is the future of computing. I have my hands on this one and I'm going to let you know where it impresses me and where it leaves a little to be desired. I'm going to start with some of the basics.

Hardware

Processor: 2.1 GHz 64-bit AMD Turion 64 TL-62

Storage Space: 200GB hard drive

RAM: 2GB (upgradable to a 4GB maximum)

Optical Drive: A CD R / RW with integrated dual-layer DVD +/- drive

Graphics Accelerator: ATI Radeon X1200 (up to 319MB of shared video ram)

Dimensions and weight: 14.3" x 10.5" x 1.5" and weighs 6lbs

The first thing that strikes me with this Toshiba is as usual the 15.4" TFT LCD running at 1280 x 800 and utilizing Toshiba's TruBrite technology. This screen is also mounted in a metallic blue bezel, so take note of that if you intend on flopping this bad boy out on the board room table.

While this notebook isn't remarkably portable it is decently light and thin. I like the power that the 64bit AMD has and it does well multitasking things like word, web browsers and media player. The hard drive offers plenty of space for a notebook. The video card is slightly better than the integrated intel cards that Toshiba sneaks into a few of it's notebooks. Overall it performs very well. I would however be sure to trim some of the trial ware that Toshiba includes on their notebooks because for the most part it is dead weight and bogs the notebook down, especially at startup.

Connectivity

Integrated WiFi (to connect to wireless hotspots)

1 Ethernet port (to connect to a wired LAN)

4 2.0 USB ports (these can be used to connect the laptop to printers, MP3 players, or digital cameras)

1 FireWire port (this is used for high speed data transfer between a PC or digital camcorder)

1 ExpressCard slot (to be used to add something like a Bluetooth adapter)

1 VGA output (this is a typical monitor port)

1 S-Video output (so that this notebook can be connected to projectors or some compatible televisions)

1 audio out / 1 mic in

1 56K modem input (to connect this satellite via dialup)

The connectivity is great and is only missing one thing; Bluetooth. Fortunately they offer inexpensive adapters and it would only cost a nominal amount to remedy this problem. For $750 I like this notebook a lot. It would be great for about any consumer expect the hardcore gamer. It has plenty to offer and is upgradable. I have enjoyed my Toshiba Satellite A215-S5857 very much this week, and I think it is likely that you will to whether you are an office worker, student or small family.