M35-S456 First Impressions

just bought a Toshiba Satellite M35-S456 last night from Circuit City and so far so good.

This laptop has the following specs:

1.7 GHz Pentium M (Dothan) processor
512MB of PC2700 RAM (single SODIMM)
80GB of HD Space
Geforce Go5200 with 64MB of RAM
Intel 2200 Pro Wireless B/G
15.4 Inch (1280x800) TrueBrite Screen
WinXP Home Edition
4x USB 2.0
DVD -+R, -+RW, -RAM/ CD-R/RW Drive
and many more features.

Computer seems really fast considering it is only a 1.7GHz processor. The wireless networking works better (easier to setup and switch profiles) then my wife's 1115-S103 with a Linksys 802.11G PC Card setup. I haven't had a chance to test battery life yet so no numbers there. The notebook isn't too heavy. I think it weighs in around 6 lbs. I was surprised to find out I still have one open RAM slot since all the documention I have read on the internet for this laptop stated that all the slots were filled. I should have no problem upgrading to 1 GB of RAM soon.

I still have some stuff I test out like the Express Media Player and how well the DVD Burner works. But overall I am happy with the laptop.

Hole

Toshiba M35-S456
Toshiba 1115-S103

 

I am thinking about either this configuration or the M30... how is the keyboard on the M35?

 

how much did it cost?and are the harmon/kardon speakers really good?what about the truebrite screen?

 

keyboard is not bad. the only think I don't like about it is the cap lock key and the "A" key. The seem to be too close together, but I am used to typing on a full size keyboard and my wife's 1115-S103 laptop so I feel I will get used to it in a few days as I use it more. Overall the keys aren't too small and they are really quiet (which bugs me since I like the old click keyboards).

I did run some benchmarks over my luch break.

3dmark01 SE I scored 6959
3DMark03 I scored 1209
PCMark02 CPU 5500
MEM 10500
HDD 532

I didn't change any setting on the video card and I ran the default benchmark on each.



Toshiba M35-S456
Toshiba 1115-S103

 

the speakers aren't bad. they lack a little bass.

the screen is really nice. very clear and crisp. off angle viewing is dimms a little bit but still very readable.

I paid 1999.99 plus a mail in rebate for $150 so in the end the laptop will cost me $1849.99 plus tax

Pretty good deal when you consider the 80GB harddrive, the DVD burner and the 1.7 Dothan processor.


Toshiba M35-S456
Toshiba 1115-S103

 

thanks is there any dead pixels on the screen?and do you have any detailed pictures of the notebook?i couldnt find anywhere on the internet?

 

I went down to Circuit City to take a look at this one myself and it looks like a really nice machine. One of the things that bugged me about it though was the reflection off the Truebrite screen. Now, it may just have been the excessive lighting in the store or the angle of the display, so I was wondering if it is that bad at home or in the office? Any thoughts on this one?

 

I don't have any pix yet. I was planning on take a few this weekend and posting them on my webserver as soon as I get that computer back up and running.

I haven't had any problems with the glare at home or at the office. The lighting in some of the CC stores is too bright sometimes, plus you don't know what the computer was setup like. I used to work at CC in the mobile department and I know the glare from the lights made the mobile video screens.



Toshiba M35-S456
Toshiba 1115-S103

 

One more thing,I didn't have any dead pixels on thie laptop or my 2 year old 1115-s103

Toshiba M35-S456
Toshiba 1115-S103

 

Hi,

Does anyone know when Toshiba comes up with Pentium M 755 (2GHz/400) for this model?

Thanks

 

Hey Hole423 Congrats on your purchase of M35, can you tell me if there's still the Heat Problem? Thanks

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by surf7433

 

I tested the Toshiba M35 in Best Buy tonight. I don't own a notebook yet so these are VERY novice opinions. I was comparing it to the HP zt3000. They both had the same basic specs (both 1.5 banias, 512RAM, 4200rpm HDD, and 15.4 WXGA (1280x800) screens).

It ran warmer (to me) than the HP. The HP was amazingly cool (temp and look wise). Toshiba's keyboard felt very solid. HP's was sturdy too, but I liked the feel of Toshiba's better. Both had Harman speakers. I truly like the sound of my music CD on the HP better plus through their player, I could add base for a more realistic sound. I could not figure out how to do this on Toshiba and the sound was grainy. Both look stylish, but I'm not really into this. So you may want to determine this one for yourself. As long as it functions well for my tasks is all I care about. I typed a Works document up on each with no problems. All keys felt solid. Also, I would recommend the 1280x800 res. I found the 1680x1050 too small. So this means the 1900+ res must be REALLY tiny. I would definitely recommend going to the store (either CC or BB) and check out the res' before ordering. I was thinking maybe to order the middle range from suggestions and reading this forum. However, for my work, the 1280x800 will work just fine.

Hope this helps

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by 403fobby

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Hole423

 

In BB last night, I noticed the heat on the palm rests and under the bottom. It was not hot at all. The palm rests were just warm. Due to the heat I felt under the bottom, I would not put it on my lap without a towel or something covering my legs (if I had shorts on). Again, even this heat was not burning hot. However, to me, it would be uncomfortable on the lap next to bare skin.

FYI...The HP's palm rests were cool but had some warmth (lukewarm)under the bottom.

Both systems in BB had the Intel PM 705 1.5 (Banias CPU 1MB cache)

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by 403fobby

 

hahahaha i just read what i posted and i sound like a retard. thats not at all what i thought i was typing, i think sleeping longer mayb needed in my future lol, ne wayz i just wanted to know the difference between the american processor and teh canadian one

|CoRoNa|

 

I've been looking at the M30 YSJ for a bit now and im wondering, in Canada its got the centrino and your saying in the US theres the Pentium M (dotan) or w/e... what exactly is the major difference? cuz all i've heard is good things about the centrino in the M30's

|CoRoNa|

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by coronarox

 

Hey Coronarox,

LOL! I guess we can all use some extra sleep.

Centrino = Pentium M CPU, Intel 855 Chipset & Intel WiFi. In order for a company to use the Centrino name on their products, they must have the 3 things I listed above, otherise it's just called a Pentium M system.

The Dothan (which is the codename Intel uses) CPU's listed, is the 2nd version of the Pentium M CPU (codenamed Banias) which has the L2 Cache upgraded to 2MB rather than the original 1MB. There might be some mod's to the number of transisitors but generally they're the same CPU. The Dothan CPU's are usually a bit more expensive and you only get a 5-10% increase in performance if comparing similar Ghz CPU's. I'm sure Toshiba's going to start migrating the Dothan CPU's to Canadian models in a few months.

I hope I didn't confuse you, sometimes I go into TechnoGeek mode and start babbling [ ]. Let me know if I didn't answer the question.

-Vb-

 

any photos other than the ones on the web?

 

Hi! I would like to ask if the m30 customisable model at toshiba's site is the same special edition version as the m35 ready to ship model. Or is the old one version of m30. thanks in advance

 

Oliver,

Welcome to the site. [ ]

Regarding the notebooks on the Toshiba.com site, the M30 customizable uses the TruBrite LCD's, so that I believe is the main difference between a regular M30/M35 and the Special Edition.

-Vb-

 

photos ??? [ ]

 

thanks [ ]

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by ngnngn

 

Hey there.
Was the rebate from Toshiba? I couldn't find it on their website.
Thanks.


<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Hole423

 

Rebate was directly from Circuit City, but ended on Sunday the 25th.

Hole
-------------------------
Toshiba M35-S456
Toshiba 1115-S103

 

Hole423, what about the fan of the laptop? is ti working all the time as some guys mentioned in other topics or it has a normal function.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by oliver

 

Hole423,

What power saving setting do you have on your m35? Do you have the CPU setting on fixed or Auto? My fan is almost always on when CPU is on fixed and it is VERY noticeable. I wonder if my m35 is defective or not.

Would you please help me?

Thank you.

Best regards,

Jordi

 

Here is a screen shot of my power settings. http://hollingshead.gotdns.org/holes-photos/gal/power_settings.jpg

Hole
-------------------------
Toshiba M35-S456
Toshiba 1115-S103

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Hole423

 

I decided to go back to Circuit City where I bought the Toshiba and ask for an exchange. Surprisingly this new one doesn't have the fan at full blast as often as the other one. My power saving setting is Auto CPU control method now. I still have to try the fixed control method. Changing the cooling method from Maximum Performance to Performance or Battery Optimized made no difference in my previous computer. Also, the keyboard on this computer is much sturdier than the previous one. The other keyboard was very flimsy. Everything seems to be OK on this computer so far, except for one thing: There is a stuck red pixel in the bottom center of the screen. It is very noticeable. I wonder how common dead/stuck pixels are and if I should try to exchange the unit one more time.

I would appreciate your advice.

Thank you.

Regards,

Jordi

 

Hey Jordi32,

I see you got the system replaced and everything looks like it's working for you.

Regarding the dead pixel, I'd suggest taking it back for another replacement. If you actually go to the store, try pulling the replacement unit out at the store and get everything running before you leave. This way, you know you got a fully working unit when you walk out the door.

-Vb-

 

Venombite,

Definitely this computer is working better than the former. If it weren't for the stuck red pixel! This is the third computer I get from Circuit City. The first one also had a dead pixel. The second had, as you know, some problems with the fan and/or power management and the keyboard. This third computer has a dead pixel. Yesterday, after arguing a little with Circuit City, they agreed to give me a replacement but they told me that this would be the last. What can I do? Does Circuit City need to replace my computer one more time (legally) or they can refuse? The alternatives are either to keep this computer with its stuck pixel or get my money back but I will lose about $300 (restocking fee) and that really hurts!!!!!!!!

Your input will be very much appreciated.

Thank you.

Best regards,

Jordi

 

Well, it depends on their return/exchange policy. The main thing, they should refund the money completely. The reason is because the unit is actually defective. I can understand if a unit was returned that was not defective, but this has an actual manufacturing defect. But they can always use the defence that since Toshiba doesn't consider 1 dead pixel a problem, they won't either.
So, my recomendation, like I posted before, when you exchange it, turn it on there, get the OS extracted and get everything working before you leave the store. That way, they can see for themselves that there's a problem right out of the box and you did nothing to cause it.

Hope everything works out for you, good luck!

-Vb-

 

in regards to the dead pixel issue, most warranties stipulate that for a screen to be deemed "defective" and thus warranting a replacement they must have at least 4 dead pixels. I was pretty pissed when i found this out myself. Keep in mind however that this is just the norm for MANUFACTURE warranties, when your going through a resupplier such as circuit city they may want to treat you better because store reputation etc..

 

is it just me or does your 3dmark2001 score seem a little low for the gear you have running in that thing? I'm not to familiar with nvidia's naming scheme for laptops, how does that nvidia card compare to the ati 9700 with 128? Because there have been several people with the same specs as you except with the ati card and they were getting 10,000 on 3dmark2001. You should try running it with the system plugged so the system isnt clocked down, or did you do that?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by jordi32

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Mr.Mister

 

hi there, i just purchased this laptop from Circuit City. Has anyone installed Windows XP Pro onto this laptop? It comes shipped with XP Home. I upgrade it, and when installed XP SP 1 or SP 2, the USB ports failed to work. Would anyone know why, or is anyone else having this problem?
Thanks
Rod

 

Thanks VB! It seems to be happening with either SP 1 or SP 2. I will post a new topic to see if anyone else has encountered this problem.

 

You may want to check to see if there are any INF chipset drivers from the Toshiba site. This usually tells the OS about the chipsets used on the unit and provides all the config info needed to work. If you have SP2 installed, you may want to try uninstalling it, it's seems to be causing a lot of problems for people with notebooks.

Also, this original thread is a bit old. You may want to start a new thread with your issue as the heading, it may get some more hits.

-Vb-

 

Rodfoc what about your fan's behaviour? How often does it kick in? I have m35-s456 and my fan is very annoying and the lap gets hot quickly.

 

in the place where the fan it is. my fan kicks in every 2-5 dependig on my cpu speed(adjustable in toshiba power options) I have another problem. I didnt manage to activate my infrared port. Actually i dont know if this laptop has infrared at all!!! Vanombite?

 

yeah, the fan switches on very quickly. But in terms of heat, the heat seems fine to me? Where does it get hot on the laptop?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by oliver

 

Venombite

Could you point me to a Toshiba document that indicates the M35 has built-in IR? I have this unit and there doesn't seem to be any HW IR. Thanks.