TOSHIBA Satellite L305-S5921 Intel Pentium dual-core 15.4" Wide XGA Intel GMA 4500M NoteBook

User Review #3 Source: laptopmag.com by Jeffrey L. Wilson on April 21st, 2009

This wallet-friendly notebook offers good-enough performance for basic computing without forcing too many trade-offs. Cost is a greater factor now than ever when purchasing a new notebook, which is why the Toshiba Satellite L305-S5921, priced at $499, is a compelling system. At only about $100 more than the typical netbook, the Satellite L305 packs a speedy hard drive, plenty of ports and connections, and a 15.4-inch display into a 6-pound machine. It’s a decent budget laptop for those who want a big screen—and better performance than a netbook—without breaking the bank. Just don’t expect too much punch out of this laptop. Design The L305 won’t win any design awards, but it doesn’t offend, either. The a 14.3 x 10.6 x 1.5-inch system features an Onyx Blue lid with Toshiba’s logo emblazoned across the middle. When you pop the top on this 15.4-inch notebook, you’re treated to a glossy black base; for consistency’s sake, we would’ve liked to have seen glossy, black keys as well, but it was no big loss. At 6 pounds, this system is not exactly light, but it’s portable enough to move from room to room without too much effort...

This wallet-friendly notebook offers good-enough performance for basic computing without forcing too many trade-offs.

Cost is a greater factor now than ever when purchasing a new notebook, which is why the Toshiba Satellite L305-S5921, priced at $499, is a compelling system. At only about $100 more than the typical netbook, the Satellite L305 packs a speedy hard drive, plenty of ports and connections, and a 15.4-inch display into a 6-pound machine. It’s a decent budget laptop for those who want a big screen—and better performance than a netbook—without breaking the bank. Just don’t expect too much punch out of this laptop.
Design

The L305 won’t win any design awards, but it doesn’t offend, either. The a 14.3 x 10.6 x 1.5-inch system features an Onyx Blue lid with Toshiba’s logo emblazoned across the middle. When you pop the top on this 15.4-inch notebook, you’re treated to a glossy black base; for consistency’s sake, we would’ve liked to have seen glossy, black keys as well, but it was no big loss. At 6 pounds, this system is not exactly light, but it’s portable enough to move from room to room without too much effort... Read the full review at laptopmag.com

User Review #2 Source: Toshiba by Excellente on March 30th, 2009

This is a wonderful laptop. It has all the new features that you would want. The visual outside and the display screen is really good. The only thing I would say needs to be improved is the battery life.

This is a wonderful laptop. It has all the new features that you would want. The visual outside and the display screen is really good. The only thing I would say needs to be improved is the battery life.

User Review #1 Source: amazon.com by D. Zeryck on January 14th, 2009

A great all-around machine at a budget price. Doesn't feel like a budget machine. Pros: - Plenty fast 2 Ghz core duo, 2 GB RAM - Intel graphics chipset (GMA 4500) which is 2x the speed of earlier laptop video chips from Intel, DirectX10, 720p native - snappy with Vista Aero - nice keyboard, good crisp key action, well laid out - glorious screen, bright (even under battery power) and super crisp - very useful multimedia controls: stop/start/FF work with Media player & DVDs, front edge volume, headphone & mic ports - front edge switch for wifi (on/off) Cons: - screen resolution tops at 1280x800 - HDD only 160 GB (140 GB usable) - won't play games well at max res - not a portable gaming computer - battery life only a couple hours (keeping that screen lit up uses a lot of power) If you are like me and use an external drive to sync your tunes to a MP3 player, then the HDD should be plenty large. If you demand your tunes with you, it may not be enough. Same if you need hardcore gaming in your laptop. I fired up Audacity and did some recording, it handled it flawlessly. I'll be doing a lot of recording on this machine. DVDs are smooth, and Vista responds very well on this machine. USed Zune SW to play music & show a slideshow & did some surfing - handled it just fine.

A great all-around machine at a budget price. Doesn't feel like a budget machine. Pros:
- Plenty fast 2 Ghz core duo, 2 GB RAM
- Intel graphics chipset (GMA 4500) which is 2x the speed of earlier laptop video chips from Intel, DirectX10, 720p native - snappy with Vista Aero
- nice keyboard, good crisp key action, well laid out
- glorious screen, bright (even under battery power) and super crisp
- very useful multimedia controls: stop/start/FF work with Media player & DVDs, front edge volume, headphone & mic ports
- front edge switch for wifi (on/off)

Cons:
- screen resolution tops at 1280x800
- HDD only 160 GB (140 GB usable)
- won't play games well at max res - not a portable gaming computer
- battery life only a couple hours (keeping that screen lit up uses a lot of power)

If you are like me and use an external drive to sync your tunes to a MP3 player, then the HDD should be plenty large. If you demand your tunes with you, it may not be enough. Same if you need hardcore gaming in your laptop.

I fired up Audacity and did some recording, it handled it flawlessly. I'll be doing a lot of recording on this machine. DVDs are smooth, and Vista responds very well on this machine. USed Zune SW to play music & show a slideshow & did some surfing - handled it just fine.