Comments & Questions about A500-02U (Blu Ray)

Hey guys I just bought a new A500-02U about 3 weeks ago and I thought I'd give you guys an overview of it, since I can find virtually zero info online, and also ask a few questions about a couple of minor issues I'm having.

SPECS:

Intel Centrino 2 Core 2 Duo 2.66GHz
4GB RAM
500GB HDD
Blu-ray ROM/DVD burner
Nvidia GeForce GT230m 1GB graphics
16" screen (1366 x 76?)
TV tuner
Bluetooth
Fingerprint Reader/Backlit Keyboard/Face Recognition/HDD Damage Preventor
Windows 7 (64 bit)

So thats how it came. I got it at cost price (emergency service discount ) for $1800NZD ($1295USD) down from $2700NZD ($1945USD)

Aesthetically I think it is beautiful, the glossy black finish coupled with the backlit keyboard and Windows 7 makes it light up like a spaceship....its generated quite a few wows so far. I'm still adjusting to the glossy screen which likes to reflect a bit of everything during the day and a few of the onboard LEDs at night. It fingerprints like a crime scene but shines up just as easily.

I originally dismissed the fingerprint reader as a gimmick but have since found it is great for accessing sites that require a login and password, you can save them in once then just swipe your finger at your gmail page and the login and password appear.

I haven't really pushed it performance-wise yet, played a few games but nothing too strenuous. I'll be doing some pretty heavy video editing on it soon so that should put it to the test.

QUESTIONS:

I'm a bit of a moviehead, is it possible to upgrade to a higher resolution screen? 1080p? If so would I need to upgrade/modify other parts to help it cope? The Blu Ray is great but doesn't have that "popping out of the screen" look like some of the HD TV's ive seen playing in stores.

The Harman/Kardon speakers have a slight and infrequent pop that is occasionally audible. I have heard this could be a Nvidia conflict with the soundcard? Any ideas of a fix? Any similar probs?

Whats is the difference between 64Bit and 32 Bit? Performance? Aesthetic?

The mouse pointer occasionally freezes and a grey eye shaped logo appears behind it. The freeze is only momentary. I get the feeling I am accidently activating some sort of function? Any ideas what this is or how i could fix/disable it?

Any questions, answers or tips on how to make this beast really growl please let me know.

 

64bit will let you use more than 3gb ram.
So yes, it is about performence.

But make sure you can find all of the 64bit drivers.

 

Actually Toshiba installs x64 bit on all new higher-end laptops by default now, so drivers are never issue anymore.

 

I've now discovered that the pointer issue I was having is caused by running a finger horizontally on the touchpad at the very bottom of it. It doesnt function as a scroll feature but definately seems to be some sort of function. Any ideas?

 

what happens when you try it in internet explorer, maybe it will let you go back and forward?

 

I've had the A500-02U now for almost 6 months and am realy injoying it. it probably is a bit late (and hopefully you already know the answers to the questions you asked) but to clear a few things up. when you are in a active window the touchpad also has a vertical and horisantal scroll the horisantal scroll may not work cause its not often you have to scroll from left to right just mostly up and down. also you will find that if you circle back with-out letting go it will continue scrolling and you can do this as many times needed to scroll a page.

as far a 32bit or 64bit I have tested my computer with both and have found that since it runs with 4gig of ram the preformance is lacking alot with the 32bit compared with the 64bit. Dont stress about the drivers as Toshiba has taken care of that. Most software should all be compatible with 64bit but anything you already run and use, it doesn't hurt to check that it is 64bit compatible.

if you are running 32bit OS and want to change it's real easy first make sure all your data is backed up.

Toshiba have a hidden partition with a copy of windows installed on it (why you didn't get any disk's with your computer) so all you have to do is press and hold the 0 (zero) key as the computer starts and that will run the installation (remember this formats everything)

As for your speakers I give mine a work out and never hear any strange noises, I only hear slight tinny noise when volume is maxed. you may like to get that checked.

and finaly as far as upgrading the screen 1080p on a 16" monitor doesn't realy show so there is not much you can do in that regard. mind you I have just got a 46" TV and I connected it up to there via the HDMI and played a Blue Ray Movie. Absolutly Awesome!!

Oh... and it's actuialy a Blue Ray burner not Blue Ray/DVD burner might be a while before we have a reason (or the software) to use it but it's still nice to know.