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    Satellite Pro M30 vs. NEW Tecra A4

    Discussion in 'Toshiba' started by Fer, Feb 16, 2005.

  1. Fer

    Fer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Let's say that you have a very important friend [ ;)] who for A reason thinks he/she has to buy Toshiba...

    With similar price and similar specs, he/she found two models in two different lines (so, consider build quality/design!):

    Satellite Pro M30 Tecra A4
    (PSM35E-0042X-EN) (PTA40E-01600VEN)
    P-M725(1,6) 400FSB P-M730(1,6) 533FSB
    2x256Mb RAM 512Mb
    FXGo5200 (AGP4x 64Mb DDR) RADEON x300 (PCIexpress16x 64Mb DDR)
    15.4' WXGA Trubrite =
    60 GB (4200RPM?) = (=RPM?)
    CD/DVD Combo =
    Ports/slots = + 6in1 Bridge Media Slot / Express Card slot
    Harman/Kardon speakers "stereo speakers"
    2.8kg =
    WinXP Pro =
    Some Toshiba software


    Which will you recommend, then?

    Fer
     
    Fer, Feb 16, 2005
    #1
  2. Venombite

    Venombite Notebook Virtuoso

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    Personally, I'd go with the Tecra A4. The Tecra series has always had a better build quality vs the Satellite series.

    -Vb-
     
    Venombite, Feb 16, 2005
    #2
  3. Fer

    Fer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Oops sorry for the format of my original mail (spaces were deleted). I make it easier (but not perfect!) to read below:

    Satellite Pro M30................. Tecra A4
    (PSM35E-0042X-EN)............ (PTA40E-01600VEN)
    P-M725(1,6) 400FSB............ P-M730(1,6) 533FSB
    2x256Mb RAM..................... 512Mb
    FXGo5200 (AGP4x 64Mb DDR). RADEON x300 (PCIexpress16x 64Mb DDR)
    15.4' WXGA Trubrite............. =
    60 GB (4200RPM?)................ = (=RPM?)
    CD/DVD Combo.................... =
    Ports/slots......................... = + 6in1 Bridge Media Slot / Express Card slot
    Harman/Kardon speakers...... "stereo speakers"
    2.8kg................................ =
    WinXP Pro.......................... =
    ....................................... Some Toshiba software

     
    Fer, Feb 17, 2005
    #3
  4. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

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    The Tecra also includes Sonoma, which is a nice benefit.

    Brian

    www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com
     
    Brian, Feb 17, 2005
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  5. Fer

    Fer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes, that's it! But... [} :)]
    does not new sonoma and new PCIe video card (x300) have a hit on battery without better performance due to the limitation of "normal" DDR RAM that Toshiba is putting on the Tecra A4?

    [I don't trust too much in battery times as measured by the ones who try to sell you, but they report up to 3.2h for the SatelliteProM30 and up to 2.3h for the Tecra A4... Just a typo on the website???]
     
    Fer, Feb 18, 2005
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  6. Venombite

    Venombite Notebook Virtuoso

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    I just checked Toshiba's site and it looks like the battery used in the new A4 is a 6 cell battery and the M30 uses an 8 cell battery. This would account for the difference in battery life. So from the calculations (3.2hrs/8cell = 0.4*6cell = 2.4hrs) it looks like it's about right. With a slight decrease in overall runtime probbly due to the X300 & Sonoma CPU.

    -Vb-

     
    Venombite, Feb 19, 2005
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  7. Fer

    Fer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Oh, I was not so lucky with the UK Toshiba website!!!

    Anyway, the detailed specs on the Tecra A4-S211 (US website) say that you do get 3.25 hours with a 6-celled battery!
     
    Fer, Feb 21, 2005
    #7