TOSHIBA Intel Core 2 DUO Processor T8100 Laptop

TOSHIBA A305-S6843
Well I am a littler nervous because I bought this computer. It seemed like a unbelievable good deal but I have found no reviews about it any where not even of the Toshiba or Best Buy web site.

My concern is the 64Bit. I understand it is coming of age but will I have conflict with all my software. Will I have to replace it with compatible software? I am finding most of my printer and mouse drivers ar available in Vista 64bit

SOFTWARE!
GRAW
Google Earth
Norton 360
Blackberry desktop manager
MS Media Player
Roxio 10
Maxtor 1-touch HD for Back Up
Seagate HD for back UP

I am sure I bought a Porsha 911 but I am use to a Ford Pinto. But a good deal can go bad if I have to replace all the software I use. Please take a look and tell me the pros and cons. I have not opened it yet so I can still return it. Hover I want a laptop that rocks, does this one?

TOSHIBA Intel Core 2 DUO Processor T8100 Laptop
4GB DDR
400GB Hard Drive
15.4 Truebrite LCD WideScreen
Windows Vista Home Premium W/Service 1
Intel Next-Gen Wireless N
Read & Write Dual-Layer DVD’s and CD’s
LabelFlash Technology
ATI Radeon HD 3470 Graphics
Webcam
6.0lbs

$1250 plus tax

 

where did you get this? WOW a T8100

 

sounds almost too good to be true at that price! whered you find that?

 

Can you pleae link me to the site where you bought it from ?

I ask my Sister or mom to order it to ship it over here, it is an unbelievable deal.

 

BEST BUY in Nashville TN.

 

I bought it at Best Buy in Nashville. But it is hard to find because the release date is April the 6th. Most of the stores only had a display model but some of the stores had 1 or two in the back. I had the Nashville Best Buy store call around and they found on in Bowling Green KY. I picked it up there.

 

If it doesn't have the Vista 64-bit version, then you would have the 32-bit version and you don't need to worry about anything. You can only install 64-bit programs on a 64-bit OS

 

yea i bought this computer yesterday they said it was brand new at the best buy her in madison ms this is an unbelieable machine, i especially like the 2, 200GB hard drives. and the 4GB of ram. i made my first lable flash cover too its pretty sweet

 

That is good news and thanks. I am still trying to deside weather to open mine or not. My wife will kill me!
Tell me more?

 

looking for advice on rollback to xp on this machine. i bought mine a couple of days ago in clarksville, tn without understanding the 32 vs 64 bit os thing. help!

 

Just bought the same computer at Best Buy. It wont be in till Tuesday. I found out from talking a bit to one of the people there that the only one they have in the store till Tuesday is the demo. The four due to arrive Tuesday will evaporate because it GOES ON SALE Sunday for $1,099.00. Those who bought it, like us, can get the refund on the difference next week. There are going to be a lot of people upset arriving at the stores on Sunday to find there are none in stock.

Like everyone else here, I am in the dark on what the 64 bit thing means to me. I run Flight Simulator X and several low end games like UT and Ghost Recon with some friends every couple months. Beyond that, I am heavy into photo processing with Photoshop and some other RAW image processing software. I hate to think none of my software will work on this 64 bit processor.

Mike B

 

Please give more information on how to go about getting that rebate. I also just purchased one, I love the machine except for the fact that I have already had to have the mother board replaced (It wouldn't see my battery), I will be getting it back on Monday.

 

If you bought it at Best Buy in the last two weeks, just go back to the store with your receipt and request a refund on the difference between your price and the sale price. Computers have a two week price guarantee at Best Buy.

Now what about that problem with 64 Bit systems? Has anyone had good luck (or bad) with trying to load their programs on a 64 bit system?

 

I did a detailed spec search before buying one of these - this machine comes with the 32 bit version of Vista Premium - any Vista compatible application will run on it just fine.

The main compatibility issue with the 64 bit version seems to be related to drivers, specifically the IEEE1394 port.

 

I bought the last one in the KC area yesterday, Best Buy has them for $1099. It is the 305-6843 model. It is very nice, Ill get some batteries in my camera and put some photos up later.
It comes with 64 bit Vista Home Premium

 

Is the ATI HD3470 as good as the NVIDIA GF9300M GS?

If so , I will get very interested in New Toshiba M305 just released in Asia.

Also, is there any one who knows if the ATI better than the ATI HD2400XT ?

Thanks in advance.

 

Hello, I have also purchased the A305-S6843 this past sunday the 6th at Best Buy. So far so good for the price.. except I don't know if it's the way the computer is set up or it's just my computer but when I try to enlarge a video on youtube full screen all I see is a diagonal line dividing the screen black and white. The audio works fine while on full screen but not the video while on youtube. Is that normal??? Please advise. thank you!

 

So.. what's the battery life like on this one?

 

I watched Pirates of the Carribean: At worlds end on DVD last night. The battery was 100% when I started and at the end of the movie with a couple stops in the middle it was about 3 hours the battery was like 10%.

 

Hello,

Can someone please help me?

I want to purchase a laptop and the processor is 64-bit, the operating system is 32-bit and I was wondering if i can safely run 32-bit applications on this set-up?

Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1Ghz
4GB PC5300 RAM
2x200GB 5300/4200rpm hard drives
ATI Radeon HD 3470 graphics 256MB
Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit SP1

I'm confused with the whole 32-bit vs 64-bit topic. I don't want to purchase this laptop and then later find out I can't run 32-bit applications.

Please help me sort this out. Thanks.

 

The operating system is the only thing you need to worry about when running apps. You can run 32bit apps on a 32bit os with no problems even if its on a 64bit cpu. All the CPU's in my house are 64bit, they all have 32bit OS on them, except the laptop, been that way for a few years and its not a problem running 32bit apps.

 

Hello, I have also purchased the A305-S6843 this past sunday the 6th at Best Buy. So far so good for the price.. except I don't know if it's the way the computer is set up or it's just my computer but when I try to enlarge a video on youtube full screen all I see is a diagonal line dividing the screen black and white. The audio works fine while on full screen but not the video while on youtube. Is that normal??? Please advise. thank you!

 

OMG...I know exactly what you mean. If anyone knows how to fix this issue please let post a response. I will do some research to see if I can find anything as well. Other than that though the laptop is great. I have yet to find a single problem with it. Great buy!

 

Lol...I win again!!! For the youtube full screen issue check out the link below. Apparantly the problem is the resolution on the monitor is too high for the video. If you adjust the resolution from 32 to 16 it should solve the problem. Good ole internet never lets me down...lol


http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/643795

 

I'm thinking of purchasing this laptop if Best Buy has one left. Could someone tell me if this laptop runs cool? Are the Harmon Kardon speakers loud and clear. What are some pros and cons with this model. Really, I haven't yet read a full review on this machine.
Thanks!

 

concerning your problems watching videos on youtube at fullscreen, all you have to do is right click the video and click settings, click display, and then deselect the box that says enable hardware acceleration. and everything should work perfectly as it did for me

 

I have a rain check with Best Buy for last weeks price on this A305 but don't think I really want a 64bit operating system, not sure I even want Vista. Might hold off for a price drop on a A305 from Costco.com that's running the 32bit Vista version or just order a business Laptop running XP. Could anyone tell me if the Toshiba A305 with the T8100 Core2Duo runs cool, I don't see anyone bragging on this laptop much.

 

you seem to be a pretty picky individual, so i would not suggest that you get this laptop, even tho i find it to have excellent performance. Yeah, the fan does occasionally get a little noisy and the area by the touch pad a little hot, but besides that it is a great machine

 

It was the laptop I was asking an assessment of. Thanks for letting me know it runs somewhat hot. I thought the new generation Penryn processor was going to help that situation. Too bad Vista requires so much resources. I'm sure that doesn't make it any cooler. My wife's Acer laptop running Vista also has a fan that runs a lot. I really don't think it's picky for wanting a detailed review before spending so much money on a laptop, after all this site is called 'Notebook Review'. I already suspected this lappy had good performance with it's specs. What does everyone else know about it? Screen quality, keyboard, sound? Any program incompatibilities with the 64 bit Vista?

 

Thank you all for the responses on how to fix the display screen on youtube. I think I made a good choice buying this laptop. It is good for the money and now it's selling for $150.00 over the price i bought it for. It's true it gets hot a little over the mouse area and also on the adapter but it's ok. The keyboard it's well set up also (except for the CAPS LOCK Key, which gets in the way). Overall, It's a great buy.

 

Here's a question! A friend of mine was asking how good the "video card" was in my laptop. I have no clue...so I'm curious how good is the video card? And for that matter would one be able to play some of the new games that are coming out with their insane graphics?

 

I ended up ordering an Acer 5920 from OfficeMax.com who was having a special sale on it, which is over now. It has premium sound with 2 speakers plus a subwoofer. I checked out a Toshiba A305 at Office Depot w/ the T8100and really the palmrest was warmer then I think I would get used to and the glossy apperance of the chassis is nice but not really for me. The Acer has good specs except the processor and graphics arn't as powerful as the Toshiba. I'm not into gaming so it probably doesn't matter. Here is what I ordered-
Acer Aspire AS5920-6423, 15.4 Crystal Bright screen, T5500 Core 2 Duo 1.83ghz, 3 gb ram, 250 gb HD, integrated graphics, webcam/ 2 mics, premium sound (2 speakers and subwoofer)- $649 plus free shipping to Alaska. Good thing I ordered it last night because now it's $749. I think I can sell my Pentium M 1.6ghz Toshiba and my Panasonic Pentium II Toughbook on Ebay and recoupe a large portion of what the Acer costs. Sorry to get off topic of the original unit.

 

I work at the Best Buy in Fort Worth, TX. Indeed this laptop is a great one. I actually found this post after googleing the model looking to see what the model number is for the motherboard. As for the concern that it feels warm on the arm rests, that is because there are 2 hard drives underneath, one on each side. Dont be scared of 64-bit OS's. Its an awesome thing. You WILL NOT be able to downgrade to XP unless you removed 1 gb of ram. And there are 2x1gb sticks in this laptop. 32-bit os's only support 3.4gb of total memory between system and graphics. So the graphics card has 256mb, you can only have 3 gb system ram. Removing one of the 2gb sticks and having only 2 gb in the board, or even if you think of replacing one of the 2gb sticks with a 1gb stick will take it off Dual Channel Mode. Which will slow it down a little. There are MANY 32-bit applications that run fine under 64-bit. Ive been running Vista 64-bit ultimate for almost a year come June. And the ONLY program i could not use was Microsoft Motocross Madness 2. Because its a 16bit game. With a 64-bit processor and OS, you will get up to 16GB ram support, advanced CPU overflow virus protection. As for the graphics card its a medium to upper mobile graphics chip. Its good for a notebook. This is the notebook I myself are looking to purchase. But im having a hard time finding it. Buy this laptop, you wont be dissappointed. If you have any questions feel free to email me at [email protected]

 

Just got one of these a couple days ago. With two hard drives, each bigger than the drive in other notebooks, it just begged me to make it a dual boot.
After some time and effort, I got XP on the D drive, and Vista still resides on C. I managed to get the drivers for a lot of stuff (network, ATI video, sound, Wifi, ect.) The only things that it still can't do in XP are the Fn keys (they appear to be in a different order), the media buttons (the mute works. The rest do nothing), and the big one: it never sees the battery. It thinks it's only plugged in.
So, does anyone out there know how to fix this (especially the battery)? Thanks to any that try to help!
Oh, and some other info.
XP works with all 4 GB of Ram installed. It just only sees 3GB. No need to remove any. Don't know if the dual channel mode still works or not, however.
To get XP installed, it helps to go into the BIOS and change SATA Controller Mode to Compatibility (last entry under Advanced). This way, the XP installer will actually see the hard drives.

 

Hi, I just bought this laptop (A305S6843) 4 days ago.. and it's great! It's really fast.. It has two hard drives. It has an extended battery (last like 3 hours). The design is awesome! I think the fan it's not loud compared to other Toshibas. No problems with the Vista 64bit. I will post another thread on games on this machine, i'm about to install them and try. But right now, this machine is the best of the best you can get on a ´Best Buy´ or any commercial store.

 

found this site looking for different product review and had to post.

i just bought this laptop a week ago at bb. last one. 1099 plus tax. im loving it. could not be happier.

kinda like the warm wrist pads....keeps my carpal tunnel in check

 

Toshiba A305 S6843

I purchased the unit in March 2008.
The unit has excellent specs and appears quite handsome.

However, within two weeks of purchasing the unit, it began to freeze. At Toshiba's (telephone) instructions, I re-installed the 64 bit Vista operating system ( never had to do that on any other computer !! ) After re-installing Vista, I again had to install a dozen programs; not fun .... and really time consuming.

After a month or so, the unit again began freezing .... and now freezes 4 to 10 times a day ... and freezes completely .... cntrl + alt + del does not respond.

I think the unit has a defective graphics chip, defective hard-drive or defective motherboard.

Toshiba has not been constructive in resolving the problem.

kwvdc

 

Sorry to revive an old thread here, but now with some time passed and newer models have come, what does everyone think of this unit? I can get a factory sealed one from best Buy Overstock for around $650 nowadays and desperately need a new laptop right now (current one is toast). What would you all say now to $650 for this unit?

And to clarify, what was the final word on what the bit system is for this unit? 32 or 64?

 

I was just searching around the web for some more info on hardware and bios updates for my laptop and came across this thread.

I bought the A305-S6843 last year in April or May and have been extremely happy. The only complaint I have had was in relation to the Web camera which seemed to give me a crap picture when I first got the laptop, it was very blocky for the lack of a better word... Now I don't use it much and checking it today it's better. If you set the screen view at it's maximum size and resolution 1280 x1024 now there are no problems. I can only assume that one of the few ( note few ) updates over the last year have fixed the issue.
What's sad is that is all I have to complain about, no wait the glossy finish on the keys and case... fingerprints show like you had just been arrested...

So that's it... functionally this laptop is exceptional and there have been no defects or issues for me to complain about. At $600 it might be worth getting another for the wife. It is 64bit vista and when I installed Office 2007 I had to go to MS's site and install their update to make office a 64 bit program. Didn't need to as it would run fine as 32 bit but I wanted the 64bit version.

Now to go back to searching the web for updates on hardware or updates to the bios if I can find any.