Editorial Review
Replace your desktop PC with the Toshiba Satellite P205-S7806 laptop, featuring all the power and hard drive space you expect from a top-of-the-line desktop but in an easily mobile package. Stylishly accented with an onyx blue metallic LCD cover, this Toshiba Satellite features a large, bright 17-inch XGA-resolution LCD (1440 x 900)--perfect for viewing multiple application screens or watching widescreen movies on DVD. It's also great for using as a media center, with Toshiba's unique Express Media Player enabling you to bypass the system and access CDs and DVDs with a touch of button. The dual-layer DVD±RW drive also burns CDs and offers LabelFlash print functionality. A 1.3 megapixel digital web camera built into the LCD's bezel lets you quickly snap photos and participate in live video chats.
This notebook is powered by the 1.6 GHz Intel Pentium T2330 dual-core processor, which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance. Other features include an extra-large 250 GB hard drive, 2 GB of RAM (maximum capacity), 5-in-1 memory card reader, 10-key keypad, and Intel GMA X3100 video card with up to 251 MB of shared video memory. Additionally, this Toshiba notebook is RoHS-compatible, effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances.
This PC also comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.
The Basics
- Processor: The 1.6 GHz Intel Pentium T2330 dual-core processor delivers additional computing resources and help expand the PC's capabilities by providing higher throughput and simultaneous computing. You'll be able to perform multiple tasks such as digital rendering and gaming all while running virus scan or other background tasks seamlessly. Each core shares 1 MB of L2 cache, and they have a 533 MHz front-side bus. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)
- Hard Drive: The extra-large 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) provides more than enough capacity for storing a large audio and video library, as well as extra space required for video editing. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
- Memory: The 2 GB of installed RAM (2 x 1 GB DDR2, PC5300) maximizes the capacity for this laptop. It also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed.
- DVD/CD Drive: The dual-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data--great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x DVD+R DL, 4x DVD-R DL, 8x for both single-layer DVD+R/-R, 8x DVD+RW, 4x DVD-RW, 5x DVD-RAM, and 24x/10x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.
- Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a 104-key keyboard--with 10-keypad on the side--and electro-static two-button touchpad. It also offers CD/DVD media player and control buttons (play, stop, next, previous) as well as a volume control dial.
Screen, Video & Audio This Toshiba Satellite has a 17-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels (native 720p for high-definition viewing). It also provides TruBrite technology, which makes images brighter and more vivid thanks to its anti-glare feature. Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100, which uses shared video memory (up to 251 MB allocated from the system memory) and provides Windows Vista Aero interface support and enhanced 3-D graphics performance--delivering over 2x scores on 3-DMark 06. Intel Clear Video Technology provides outstanding video playback with sharper image quality, increased clarity, and customizable color controls. It also enables enhanced visual quality of interlaced content on progressive displays. It also features an integrated audio card with headphone and microphone jacks.
Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This notebook has an integrated Atheros 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54/34 card slot (though no PCMCIA card slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. Here's the full list of connection options:
- 6 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
- 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
- 1 ExpressCard 54/34 slot
- Video out: VGA and S-Video
- Microphone/line-in and stereo headphones/speakers/line-out
- RJ-45 port for 10/100 Ethernet connection
- 56K modem port (V.90)
- 5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card)
Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit version) is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.
Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.
Preloaded Software
Microsoft Works 9.0, Google Desktop and Picasa, Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5, McAfee Internet Security Suite (30-day trial), and Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (60-day trial).
Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 15.7 x 11.3 x 1.83 inches (WxDxH, and it weighs 7.2 pounds.
Power
It comes with a 4000 mAH lithium-ion battery pack for extra-long battery life.
What's in the Box
This package contains the P205-S7806 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.
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Customer Reviews
awesome 
2008-03-24
Recieved laptop before ETD. EZ setup and ez to work even with vista. Love it :)
Excellent all-around laptop 
2008-03-20
Updated 4-16-08:
I've now had this for over a month, and so far so good. It seems to be very well-built.
This is an excellent all-around performer and was a great deal at Circuit City for $950 (at time of this review). For less than $1000, you get 3 GB (not 2), yes 3 Gigs of memory and a 250 GB 5400 rpm hdd. And of course, it has the gorgeous 17" widescreen display. This is what really makes it stand out, in my opinion.
In addition, you get 6 USB ports, a firewire port, WiFi 802.11 a/g/n, and the do-everything DVD drive. Sorry, no HD though. As we know, HD DVD lost the battle to Blu-Ray, so this is no surprise.
Keyboard layout is very good with good key travel and feel, though I would recommend turning off the "tap zones" in the mouse settings. Otherwise, you'll find yourself minimizing screens and other such unplanned annoyances. That's just a personal thing. Of course the width of this machine allows Toshiba to include a numeric keypad on the right side. I am accustomed to using the number keys above the keyboard, but I find myself using the numeric keypad more and more, and I've come to appreciate having it there. The right/left mouse click buttons are a little noisy and clunky, but not unbearable.
Sound quality is adequate with the standard speakers. It's not going to blow you away with super high fidelity surround sound, but it's okay for a laptop. I wish it had the upgraded Harmon/Kardon speakers, but it's not a show-stopper. For the most part, they're loud enough and clear enough to watch movies and videos and play the occasional music file just for background noise. If you're in a noisier environment, you may have a hard time hearing and will want to get a set of cheap, portable external speakers.
I don't use this for gaming or heavy-duty video or image-editing, so I can't comment on that from experience. With an integrated 251 MB intel grapics chip, it's not going to handle the very high-end games, but it should run 95% of the games out there with aplomb. The 3 GB main memory will most likely help with that. I suspect that most people don't buy laptops for heavy-duty gaming, anyway.
It also has an integrated video camera above the screen. I've tested it briefly and it appears to work just fine. However, you'll need sufficient lighting to see the images clearly, as they appeared quite dark in an average-lighted room during the evening.
Battery life could be better, but with a 17" display, that's not uncommon. I run mine on AC power almost all the time anyway, so it's not been a problem for me yet. An upgrade to a 9- or 12-cell battery would probably help. Also, turning off the WiFi when not in use will help. There is a very convenient on-off switch on the front-left side for this.
It also runs reasonably quiet and cool, especially for this size of laptop. In addition, the weight is respectable considering its dimensions. Make no mistake: this is no "road-warrior, lightweight travel companion", but for around-the-house and vacations, it's just fine.
Overall, I give this a strong four stars. For what it does and for the money, I'd really give it 4.5 stars, but we obviously don't have that option. If you're looking for a desktop replacement (or just an additional home computer), you're not needing heavy-duty gaming, and you want excellent multimedia capabilities and overall flexibility, then I would highly recommend it. It does all those things very well, and I'm confident that's exactly what it was designed to do.
PROS:
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* Gorgeous 17" widescreen
* Generous 3 GB memory and 250 GB hard disk
* 802.11 WiFi includes the newest 'n' standard (on the S8811 version)
* Six USB ports, Firewire, and Mediacard slots
* Nice keyboard layout and feel
* Integrated web cam
* You get a LOT for the money
CONS:
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* Integrated video memory
* Way too much bloatware pre-installed
* Button on DVD drive sticks out so it's too easy to accidentally open
* Battery life
SO-SO:
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* Right/left click buttons a little clunky
* Sound quality just okay
* Weight (not great but not terrible)
* Wish it allowed 1680x1050 resolution (maxes at 1440x900)
* Overly bright LEDs and "Satellite" logo on front edge of work surface
Perfect for what I needed 2008-01-30
I have a lot of photos and video and I like to work on my computer but hate being stuck at the desktop. This computer offers me all the power and speed needed to edit and manipulate my files with a large enough screen --same as my desktop BUT with the flexibility of working in different rooms around the house--there are other notebook computers that are as powerful but few in this price range that come with a T2330 processor. I LOVE THIS COMPUTER!!!
I am not sure why the description states 1 gb ram/160 gb hard drive. The version I own comes with 2 GB Ram (2048 mb); 250 GB Hard drive
Toshiba p205-s7806 2008-05-02
Wow, some of you have gone over the edge with your review. Anyway, THIS laptop will do anything you want to do except, extreme gaming. You can still game on it, however I recommend turning down all the settings to low for WOW and Guild Wars. if your going to EXTREME game on it, buy something else. If you going to do anything else on it, buy this laptop. It is really good...AND...the price drop to $[...] makes it a great buy. The 17" screen is the smooth glossy type screen, not the grainy type. Yes it comes with a lot of crap software, but what laptop doesn't. Just delete the garbage, ghost the image, and move on. Yes the WIFI button on/off switch is small, so what. The only people that will complain is those with fat fingers. Moderate hand-size people will not complain about the WIFI button. If it was any bigger, people would complain here that it sticks out too far, so just ignore the silly posts on the WIFI button being too small. Other than that, you can read other reviews to find any other questions you may have. I am just tying up the ones that are not answered.
Candle Darklight
My Labtop 2008-04-26
What a awesome piece of equipment this Toshiba is. I'm still learning some of the more advanced features of it but I would never bothering purchasing another brand of computer, this little baby does it all. cb
Excelent device 2008-04-15
So, I'm inseparable from my toshiba p205, excellent device, all functions great, vista...no loading effort :) you should really consider buying one!
Marvelous Machine 2008-04-14
I searched diligently over the net for a laptop that will serve my need for mobility and my desire for life-size documents and pictures. I found this package in the 17" Toshiba Satellite P205-S7806. It combines perfectly the mobility of a laptop with the real-life experience of a desktop. I am thoroughly satisfied.
Great first time lap top. 2008-04-07
Since this my first time purchase of a laptop, I really do not have others to compare it to. However the only down side I have encountered is the extremely tiny switch to turn the internet on with. You almost need a magnifying glass to find it, and is very stiff to turn on and off, perhaps over time it will not be quite as stiff. Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed having this product. It is slightly heavier than I had expected, but then again I've had nothing to compare it to. I am impressed by the fact that I can add just about anything I will need to add due to the many ports on each side of this computer. I would definitely recommend this laptop to anyone looking.
