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    Satellite M50/M55 vs Tecra A5 - build quality and battery life

    Discussion in 'Toshiba' started by chris_c28, Jul 23, 2006.

  1. chris_c28

    chris_c28 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,
    I currently own a Toshiba Satellite M50 (2005 model), which is configured with an ATI X600SE card. I've recently discovered that there's another Toshiba model which is very similar to the M50/M55 series, i.e. the Tecra A5. As they seem to be the same notebooks with some cosmetic differences, I'd expect most of the components to be similar. Hence, I'd like to know if it is true that the Tecra A5 has a much better battery life (mine averages 2 hours) and build quality compared to the M50/M55 series?
    I don't find battery life spectacular on my M50, neither is the build quality. Hence, I'm interested to know if the A5 is any better as the A5 is apparently cheaper than the M50 when I got it. If it is, it would be interesting what contributes to this.
     
    chris_c28, Jul 23, 2006
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  2. yuio

    yuio NBR Assistive Tec. Tec.

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    the toshiba line up of notebooks have had alot of trouble in relation to build quality, if you looking for a really good notebook look at Leveno.
     
    yuio, Jul 23, 2006
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  3. xAMDvsIntelx

    xAMDvsIntelx Notebook Deity

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    It depends on which model you buy - Toshiba's low-end stuff is pretty bad, but I wouldn't say their middle to upper range stuff is horrible. The Tecra Series should have better build quality than the M50 line did, because its made for the business user.
     
    xAMDvsIntelx, Jul 23, 2006
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  4. Padmé

    Padmé NBR Super Pink Princess

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    I get 3-3 1/2 hours of battery time on my M-55. I don't game or anything, but I do watch a lot of streaming video on it.
     
    Padmé, Jul 23, 2006
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  5. chris_c28

    chris_c28 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Which is exactly my question. Does the Tecra A5 or A6 in particular, have much better build quality compared to their Satellite twins, the M50/M55 and M100/M105 respectively? If so, how is it even possible considering they are the same models. I'm split between the Tecra A6 and M100 as an upgrade, since the Tecra doesn't come with Trubrite option in my place, but the M100 does.

    I am aware that the Tecra M series do have much better build quality, but I seriously doubt the A series Tecras. Does anyone seem to notice this?
     
    chris_c28, Jul 23, 2006
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  6. skywalker

    skywalker Business Notebook FTW!!

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    In my point of view, Tecra M series does have slightly better build quality over A series. Tecra A series is in comparison with satellite series.
     
    skywalker, Jul 24, 2006
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