Toshiba Satellite M305-S4990: $699 (w/T9300 & ATI 3470)

HHGregg has the Toshiba Satellite M305-S4990 for $699 ($200 off)- LINK

The specs are:
Windows Vista Home Premium
2.5GHz Intel T9300 (800MHz FSB, 6mb L2 cache)
14.1" WXGA (1280x800) TruBrite display
4GB DDR2 RAM
320GB 5400rpm Hard Drive
256mb ATI Radeon Mobility HD 3470 graphics card
DVD-RW
Intel 4965AGN wireless
harmon/kardon speakers
Ports- HDMI, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), 3-USB w/ Sleep & Charge
6-cell Battery

 

Is this just me, or is this a really good deal? I'm not too knowledgeable when it comes to laptops, but it looks pretty good. However, the one thing I did notice was that it was 32bit. I thought you needed 64bit in order for 4gb ram to work. Also, how reliable is HHGregg, I've never heard of them before. Are the specs they post all correct? Thanks if anyone can give me any additional insight.

 

Looks like a really good deal to me. That's a very good processor for the money. To take full advantage of 4GB of RAM, yes you do need a 64-bit OS, but even with a 32-bit OS you still should get 3.5GB or so. If you and can drivers for a 64-bit version though I don't know why you couldn't upgrade to it.

 

Would this deal be better than

* Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P7350 ( 2GHz 1GHz 3MB )
* 3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz
* 320GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
* DVD Recordable (Dual Layer)
* Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 5100
* Bluetooth Version 2.0 + EDR
* NVIDIA GeForce 9300M 256MB

For $600? I don't have too much information about it because its a quote from Lenovo. And this is just from another post.

 

Depends upon your needs. What model is it? The video in the Toshiba is going to better. The processor in the Toshiba is going to be faster with twice the L2 cache, but the one in the Lenovo consumes ten less watts than the one in the Toshiba so it'll get better battery life.

 

HOLY CRAP that's a great deal!

 

Well mild gaming, but mostly school. Also I have a lot of music/pictures/videos that I store, I'll use mostly externals, but I would like to have some of them saved on the laptop.

The Lenovo is a Ideapad Y530

 

hhgregg is a major retail chain that sells Electronics (TVs, Computers) and major appliances. I assumed that they were nationwide, but when I read your comment (never having heard of them), I took a look at their locations. They are located throughout the Southeast (GA/FL/NC) and Midwest (KY, IN, OH). But you can order from their website.

The specs posted are NOT from the hhgregg site! I got them from the Toshiba website to be sure that I posted them correctly.

Prior to this configuration, I've never seen a M305 with a processor higher than the 2.4GHz T8300. I've also never seen one with a dedicated graphics card...so this is a fairly unique setup. It's a LOT of hardware for $699!

 

Yeah I'd never heard of them till I saw you post some of their deals on here.

 

It has to be a Lenovo IdeaPad Y530, based on the 9300M, Bluetooth and DDR3 memory. The Y530 has a 15.4" display and weighs 6.6lbs. The M305 has a 14.1" display and wegihs 1.4lbs less @ 5.2lbs.

The 2.5GHz Intel T9300 is significantly faster than the 2.0GHz P7350 and the ATI 3470 graphics card is slightly superior to the 9300M GS in the Lenovo.

I'd go with the Toshiba because of the lighter weight, more compact dimensions and faster processor. I also prefer the Toshiba's more elegant-looking design.

 

I recently purchased from HHGREGG the 16" Toshiba Allfiredup posted which is the S355-6998. I thought that was an amazing deal an actually a better deal as you get a P-Series CPU and a 16" format screen. I plan on using it as a multimedia laptop with light gaming.

Let me say that in my dealing with HHGREGG, they are first rate especially their customer service. I live in SW Florida and had no idea they were based in Florida as well.

 

Thanks for everybody's insight, I ordered it.

 

Great...be sure to let us know when you get it and your initial opinion of it!

I'll go ahead and warn you- Toshiba includes a lot of "crapware" (aka- bloatware...or trial software, as they call it)! I'd suggest downloading PC Decrapifier- LINK and Revo Uninstaller- LINK to get rid of all the ones you don't need (which is basically ALL of them).

 

This deal is still active on the HHGregg website, FYI!- LINK