A500-ST6647 Core I7: Is a 65W adapter enough?.

Hello,

I'm eager to buy a Toshiba A500-ST6647, as it seems to be the best built, best looking 16" available, and it is just what my wife and I need.

However, I see from the specs that it comes with a 65W adapter. I've been looking at a lot of Core i7 machines and see that even 90W adapters seem to be causing performance problems for other companies, especially when a good graphics processor is thrown in.

When I estimated the total power drain of the CPU, GPU, HDD, display, speakers, up to 8GB RAM, and USB ports, I see that 65W will not be enough even for normal use. If I were to do some intense video processing (which I do for a law firm) something would have to give, and I guess it would be processing power (and therefore time). (And I would like to play a few games.)

So, first I'm asking, how can this machine get by with a smaller adapter than any other has?

Second, would there be any benefit to buying the replacement/additional 120W adapter that Toshiba recommends for this unit?

(Note that I did ask Toshiba Tech Support this question. The tech talked to a supervisor and was told that I could request the 120W be shipped instead of the 65W when I ordered from ToshibaDirect by phone. He also "assumes" the laptop will use all the power it can get from the 120W as this is the standard replacement part. BUT he couldn't guarantee it...)

(Note that tech support also recommended just getting the higher end Qosmio which comes with a 180W adpater (!), but it is too big to lug around.)

I'm asking all of this because of widely reported problems with i7 laptops being "throttled" down due to inadequate power adapters.

Is it too early to be buying mid-range Core i7 machines?

Thanks!

Cary
Gainesville, FL

 

I actually just ordered a Toshiba A500-ST6647 a few days ago and I was wondering the same thing. It seems that the 65W adapter that it comes with may not be enough. When I placed the order for the laptop, I also ordered the additional 120W adapter as a spare. This spare might have to be my primary AC adapter if the 65W doesn't cut it.

I had originally ordered a Dell Studio XPS 1645, but I cancelled the order when I learned about the power throttling issue. I'm glad that I was able to find a Toshiba with the specs that I wanted. I have read that Toshiba laptops are generally more reliable than Dell. Also, my girlfriend has a Toshiba and she has had no problems with it at all.

Maybe I'll try giving Toshiba a call as well to see what they say about the AC adapter. Hopefully this laptop will have no power issues.

 

65w is fine for the laptop, the geforce 310m doesn't suck alot of amps.

 

I'll definitely be doing some testing when I get it and i'll let you guys know.

 

This would be good news if you can tell us how you came to this conclusion. Did you run tests? Can you share the calculations you used to determine how much power the components draw?

I'm afraid of getting a Core i7 that is throttled down to run like a slower Core Duo!

 

Did you get it yet?

I am waiting anxiously to hear reports on this as I am in a stupor as to what laptop to get and I want one NOW but I keep jumping from one to another (Gateway) back to Toshiba again.

 

Not yet. Hopefully soon.

 

I've had the laptop for about a week now and it's been great so far. The computer runs really smooth. I also installed and played some Crysis and it runs fine on medium graphic settings with max resolution. I haven't noticed any throttling or heat issues at all.

 

Wow. The new A505's are now shipping with a 90W adapter standard.

 

My laptop came with with a 120W adapter. Looks like that spec sheet was wrong.

 

Yes, I found out that you are correct. Mine also came with a 120W adapter.

Unfortunately it came with a slot loading DVD drive even though Amazon and Toshiba show it with a tray loader. But that's another thread!