Tecra M6, Satelite U200 or Satellite U205?

Has anyone got either the Tecra M6, Satelite U200 or Satellite U205? I'd love to hear some opinions about these laptops, especially battery life and build quality.

Thanks

 

I'm also looking at these. Except for the price, they look exactly the same. What is the difference between these models?

Thank you

 

I am also wondering about the U200. Anyone have one?

 

yup, ditto to everyone else. U200's anyone? Is anyone writing a review?

 

Just bought the U205-S5002 Today. So far so good. What would you like to know?

 

Oh - just the usual: anything at all you can tell us

But for me, in order of importance:
1. battery life (please specify which battery)
2. heat - does it run hot?
3. weight with the battery you have
4. your overall impressions of build quality, screen quality, etc.

Thanks!

 

Peter, I was also wondering where did you buy it and how much did you pay? How's the keyboard feel? How's the screen? (viewing angles, brightness, etc.)

Thanks a lot,
--Vadim

 

I'll give you more after I play this weekend. I have an A75 P4 and the 205 is a midget compared to the A75.

 

circuit city $1,200 banannas

Keyboard is fine but I'm using an external while I'm in the office.

Screen brightness is great but washes out at slight angles compared to my A75. I prefer the A75 screen but I'm sure I'll get used to the small size and viewing angle.

P.S. the core duo is great running Auto Cad and Solid Works together!

 

How is the noise? Are the fans loud when your run full load?

 

The fans are not loud yet but I have not forced it into a high heat condition with it on my lap. I have 6 toshiba laptops between me, the kids and work and the 205 is the quietest of them all (so Far)

 

Her is a photo of the display along with a tru-Bright A75 and a standard A65 and L25. the A75 is best from all angles and the U205 is just as good but only from straight on. It washes out when viewed from the side while the A75 is still good at very sharp angles.

 

Thanks for the info. I actually had a chance to check out one of these yesterday in Office Depot. My superficial impression was that it was quite a nice, small laptop. There was quite a bit of flex in the keyboard, but otherwise it was okay. The trackpad is very small and the buttons seem a little flimsy. Indeed, the build quality didn't seem great. The screen was good, though perhaps not as nice as the one on the 700m. But given how few options there currently are for a 12" Core Duo laptop, this one would be a reasonably choice.

 

Peter, do you have the same observations as doddles re: build quality? How long does it take for XP to start up, from power on to system idle? How's the fingerprint reader - do you have to swipe several times before it works? Thanks for the postings!

 

The build quality is average. It still sufferers from the random elocation of the cursor when typing just like my other Toshiba's. the keyboard does has a little flex but as I am a 2 finger typer I don't notice it. The touch pad us little but I got used to it quickly. regarding the fingerprint thing, I have not used it due to out IT policies. (I may over ride them snd do it anyway.....lol)

Finally, it was 55 seconds to boot but I have modified the startup to load additional apps.

 

You are probably hitting the touchpad with your palms. I use a program that disables the touchpad while typing. Remember to disable the program if you want to use the mouse for games, as it can be annoying to not be able to shoot and move at the same time.

www.yaranga.net/TouchFreeze

 

Peter, given your limited experience with the u205 thus far, do you think the 1 year warranty is sufficient? Any new observations/comments about the u205? Do you know if both memory slots are used? Thanks.

 

I believe both are full but I'l try to check tomorrow as the 205 is at my office. The fans are quiet and it still runs cool. The super pi test was 1m 22s if I recall correctly. The warranty is a ? mark. I thought 1 year was enough on my A75 but it has the power jack issue so the warranty is a crap shoot.

 

The finger print thing works great! More to come!

 

Hey Peter, any new observations? I've heard some lamentations about unexpected slowness - true? Any battery issues? Any driver issues?

Thanks!

 

No Issues yet. IE6 locked up but a cookie etc. wipe made it all better. Not the machines fault. Drivers are fine, battery is fine but I leave it out while it is on my desk. I have yet to travel with it but my GPS and bluetooth work fine. The screen takes some getting used to and the fingerprint function offers lots of versatility with internet user names and passwords.

Most of all it is FAST, QUIET and COOL unlike my A75.

PS. No empty memory slots.

 

Does anyone have the Toshiba U205? If so, I would appreciate it if you could answer the below questions:

01. How's the overall build quality and fit/finish?

Acceptable so far. 8/10

02. Is the bottom casing rigid with no flex? I think Toshiba said it's magnesium alloy.

I hope so but I suggest you try to flex the store's demo model 'cause I like my motherboard just the way it is if it does happen to flex.

03. Does the screen have any 'sparkle' effect or 'dirty' whites or 'dark edges'?

Not that I noticed..

04. Is the display bright, or just average?

BRIGHT!!!

05. Is there any keyboard flex? If so, where on the keyboard and how bad is it?

See #2

06. Does Toshiba use the OmniPass software with the Fingerprint reader, or do they use their own? If so, is it unobtrusive (blends with XP), or is it typical clunky, dated looking OEM software? Screen shots would be great!

Ummm. I'll have to check the software but I like the fingerprint thingy.

07. Looks like the memory slots are under the keyboard. Is the keyboard easy to lift to install memory?

You are kidding right.....See #2

08. How's the heat/noise? Do the fans always run, or only when needed?

Heat noise and Fan No Problem

09. When an SD card is in the integrated reader, is it flush with machine, or does it stick out?

No Idea, would have to steal a memory card to find out and my Parole officer would not be pleased......lol

10. What brand Hard Drive and Optical Drive did you get (as shown in Device Manager)? Wondering if Toshiba is using their own.

This I will check tomorrow.

11. Does the lid close flush with the machine, or is there a gap/jiggle when closed?

See # 10

 

The HD is shown as HTS541010G9SA00.

There is an update to fix an IE6 lag. Read more here:

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/...BV_EngineID=cccgaddifhfgjddcgfkceghdgngdgnn.0

 

I plan on purchasing the u205 soon. This would be my first Toshiba computer. How's your experience been with their laptops, in general? Good durability? Good tech support? Thanks for the continued advice and feedback.

 

This is my 8th. I still have 5 of them. I have never needed tech support so I really can't say. I'm either an addict, lazy or pleased with their performance in general. Likely it is a combination of all 3 but I'm not really a power user.

 

does u205 have built-in bluetooth?
i can't find detail species mention about bluetooth on toshiba.com.

 

Nope Kenny. At least not the 5002.

 

hey peter
im actually looking to buy the U205 or the dell xps m1210.
i was wondering what exactly do you use the toshiba for because im actually looking at for college and want to know if it will suite my needs (basically word, watching dvds, burning cds/dvds, ipod stuff)

 

Should be fine. I do generic Autocad work and run Office applications so I bought it because I might actually be able to use it on airplanes.