Toshiba Satellite 3000-S304 Reviews?
Laptop Questions
Does anyone know of any online reviews for the Toshiba Satellite 3000-S304?
I am also interested in anyone's hands on experiences with this unit
including any particular likes/dislikes.
I am currently in the market for a new laptop and this unit is currently at
the top of my list for its value.
Requirements:
1) Intel 830mp mobile chipset
a) Improved battery life
b) 1GB maximum ram
2) Pentium III-M processor
a) 512 MB cache
b) Lower power requirements
3) Touchpad
4) Fast video processor (e.g. Nvidia GeForce2)
The only other unit with similar specifications and price appears to be the
Compaq 2700/2701US.
HPs Omnibook 6100 is much too expensive and Dell unfortunately still insists
on using the 815ep chipset in its i8100 series and the 4100 has received
mixed reviews.
Thanks.
Laptop Questions
Should read
2) Pentium III-M processor
a) 512 KB cache
b) Lower power requirements
LaptopQ...@yahoo.com (Laptop Questions) wrote in message news:<beeabf46.01110...@posting.google.com>...
darrel lewis
and release it with a 32meg Geforce 2
And since memory is so important to performance, Im gonna make sure the
update model has 1Gig max RAM capabilty, which the current model doesnt seem
to state in ithe pdf spec sheet.
"Laptop Questions" <laptopq...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
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Laptop Questions
The 830MP chipset supports 1GB ram based on 512MB SODIMMs, but
companies like Kingston and Crucial have yet to certify them for the
Toshiba 3000-S304 given that this laptop is new.
Things I like about the 3000-S304:
1) 14.1" XGA screen
a) Easier to read than higher resolution SXGA+ and UXGA screens.
I looked at the following side by side at CompUSA:
Toshiba 3000-S304 (14.1" XGA - 1024x768)
Compaq 2700US (15" XGA - 1024x768)
Compaq 2701US (15" SXGA+ - 1400x1050)
This however is a very personal preference.
b) Smaller laptop footprint
c) Better battery life
2) Mobile 830MP chipset
a) Better battery management
b) 1GB addressable memory
3) 16MB DDR GeForce2
a) Plenty fast for my gaming concerns.
Sure it would be nice to have the Radeon 7500, but certainly not
enough to wait for in my case.
b) Better than current Radeon mobility for gaming although some would
prefer the Radeon for DVD (used in Compaq 2700)
4) Availability of 3 year warranty (comes with 1 year, but can be
upgraded)
5) Support for 1GB Pentium III-M (although the website doesn't herald
this)
a) Better battery life
b) Less heat
c) Improved performance (512 KB cache)
Pentium III 1GHz
512 KB Level 2 cache
133 Mhz front side bus
6) DVD/CD-RW unit
a) Saves weight over two separate units, although some would prefer
that setup to simplify copying
7) General Size/Weight
Depending on configuration, is is 2-3 lbs lighter than other units
such as the Compaq 2700 and Dell i8100
8) IEEE 1394 firewire/TV-out
9) Availability of 2 PC Card slots
10) Availability of Windows XP Professional
11) Good build quality with solid case
12) Toshiba's general reputation
Things I don't like about the 3000-S304:
1) Lack of serial port
a) Nice for 'legacy' devices such as GPS units.
I'm looking into cardbus based serial cards and USB<->Serial devices,
but they can be problematic depending on the software used
(www.pfranc.com). Microsoft Mappoint for instance can't currently use
'virtual' com ports.
2) Sound is tinny when compared to units such as the Compaq 2700
series
Things that are overkill on the 3000-S304:
1) I really don't need three USB ports
This thing is suppose to be a laptop right? What kind of octopus will
it be with 3 USB devices plugged in. I'd rather have 2 USB and one
serial. If I really needed more USB devices, I could purchase a
miniature hub.
2) Smartmedia slot
I prefer CompactFlash which is sturdier and can easily use a simple
adapter to make it available from the existing PCCard slot.
"darrel lewis" <dlew...@home.com> wrote in message news:<tumu5r3...@corp.supernews.com>...