Like Toshibas...but....

Why do their parts suck so much? I really like the laptops, my girlfriend has one and you can tell it's built pretty well, but I could never get one. Crappy memory, hard drives, low res screens (which do look good, but come on, no FHD option?), and overall no choice.

Does anyone know if this will ever change, or should I just steer clear of Toshiba because it doesn't have what I need? I'm not here to put them down, I know their goal is not to compete with Sager, I'm just wondering if it's a pipedream to expect a FHD screen on a 17" model anytime soon...

 

I think the build of their upper tier machines are good (as I've stated on here, I have a 8 yr old Satellite that was originally bought for $2000, that runs great to this day. Gave to little sister).

Anyways, any lower tier Toshiba (as with most manufacturers) will have compromised quality. I too agree to an extent that Toshiba quality (at least Toshiba America) has taken a direction I don't like. They used to be looked as like a competitor to Dell (business grade laptops as well as consumer grade laptops). Now most people look at Toshiba (correctly) as a consumer grade laptop manufacturer (like Acer).

As for the FullHD screen, I think the only one that carriers that option is the upper tier Qosmio laptops. I wouldn't expect their consumer grade laptops to carry it (as they are all $1000 and below), but I would expect a Satellite Pro to carry it (which is doesn't).


I look at Toshiba as the poor man SONY. They are great computers, but they make sacrifices in areas to meet the shrinking pocket of the average US consumer; as most manufacturers are also doing. (sorry for side tracking).

 

Yeah, that's kind of how I've been seeing Toshibas. They seem to be a cheaper alternative to Sony. And the worst part is that their laptops have way more options in Japan. In America, we have watered-down options and that bugs me, but that's true for Sony as well.

 

It's interesting you mention Sony, I am semi-interested in them. They do have some fancy innovations, like wireless transfer from cameras (that are useless and stupid to me, but I value their trying), but I've heard that build quality has taken a real beating lately.

Are they known for producing high quality laptops, or is it dependent on the line?

 

Good summary - I would agree with most everything you said here.