Toshiba M645

Each GPU has its own control panel, but Optimus itself automatically switches between them. You can find a tool to view which card is in use, but I'm not aware of a way to manually switch between the two.

The Nvidia GPU switches on for anything intensive and also Youtube videos. Besides the discrete GPu going on for Youtube, Optimus works very well.

 

Question for you guys that bought the one from Best Buy:

Even though yours didnt come configured with Bluetooth, Bluetooth is an option on the Toshiba M645. With that being said, when I purchased my really old Dell and did not opt for the Bluetooth option, the unit still had the section for a led light to come on if I did have the bluetooth option. Some of the owners added the built in bluetooth option after the fact. Does the Best Buy version of a section that has the bluetooth logo with an led that would light up if you did opt for the bluetooth option? If so, maybe it can be added after the fact.

 

I have a similar problem with a desktop machine, it gives me a popping noise every now and then, usually when I return to it from leaving it sit for 10 mins or more. I did some reading, and I have a feeling that the sound card is going into power-down, and then it pops when it powers back on. It's possible that this is what yours is doing TC. I have never heard anything like that with the audio on my M645.

 

This was one of the first things that I checked, to see if Bluetooth was just disabled in the BIOS, and then try to install the driver. But Bluetooth is not in the Best Buy machine natively. I suppose the module could be added, as could the lighted keyboard potentially, but with those teeny tiny macro blue-tooth dongles available right now for just a few bucks, I figured I'd go that direction if I really needed it. I have a nano dongle for my logitech mouse, and the machine goes in and out of the carry bag without ever removing it.

 

can anyone help me here? I am planning to buy this laptop, when I first saw the specs I thought it was the perfect one for me
i5-520
Nvidia GT 330 with optimus
backlit keyboard

but the problem comes here.... my hometown is Indonesia, and I'm studying in China, well, I am in Indonesia right now spending my holiday, and when I called the Toshiba to ask about this laptop, he said it only had a i3 processor, no i5's, so I went to check china's website, and there it said it had an i5-520 with nvidia GT 330 but without Optimus... in the Indonesia (south east asia website) website, it had the perfect model I was looking for
I wanted my laptop to be perfect, so... can u guys give me a suggestion on where else to find the above specs with all in it?

Notebook Satellite M645 | Toshiba Leading Innovation - Asia

 

That's what it is! I was driving myself crazy with audio and graphic drivers. It's a reasonable explanation since the speakers are perfect in Sleep and Play mode. Thanks for the info Krypto!

The problem itself happens around startup and for the most part it's only when I'm playing music off the hard driver. I have heard the sound when I was on Youtube, but it was only twice. It's not too much of a problem, but it can be really annoying at times (even if the stutter/popping last for a second).

 

Hey, Xinn, here's my understanding of two different models here in the US. If the keyboard is illuminated, it appears that it has an i3 processor, and no discrete (nVidia) video card option, and it has the 8 or 6 cell (smaller) battery.

If it has the nVidia video card, then it will likely NOT have the illuminated keyboard, but it does have the larger 12 cell battery, and the i5-450 processor.

I do apologize, I can't help more.

 

I am torn between this laptop and a Dell Studio 15. After the education discount, the Dell Studio 15 comes to $830. The only major differences is that the Dell has a 9-cell battery, an i5-520M processor, and a 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5470. I'm not really into gaming, but they are still practically the same laptop. If anyone could say anything that could tip the scale into one direction, that would be great.

Also, I'm guessing either of these would be good for an upcoming computer science/math double major?

Thanks

EDIT: I saw near the beginning that people would buy this if it had a 6 cell battery instead of the 12. Well, at Best Buy, they do sell one with a 6 cell battery for the same price ($800).

 

thx alot for your explanation, fortunately, here in indonesia a new model just came out, it has all the perfect specs I mentioned above, so no more problem for me, once again, thx for your concern!

 

IMO, both of this laptop's graphic card aren't on the same level, the ATI Radeon HD 5470 only scored about 6000 on 3DMark 05 while the M645 Nvidia 330 GT scored 12000.. as I said.. totally different level... now it's a different story when u choose the nvidia 310 GT, which scored also roughly about 6000 on 3DMark 05....
now... if you're not into gaming, I suggest getting the Dell studio, which has a 9 cell battery (meaning longer battery life)... another thing... the Dell is 15.6", while the M645 is a 14", so u also want to consider the weight and portability...
if u really want a 14", then get the m645 with a nvidia 310 GT, with a 9 cell battery (bought separately)... well.... just think about it. GL in choosing!


hope the above information can help ^^

PS:I myself prefer the 14", I rather feel the 15" too big
and one more thing... the M645 has a illuminated keyboard.. which I think is rather cool to have

 

The one at Best Buy can only have the nvidia 310, at least the one that's near me. What do you mean longer battery life; wouldn't a 12-cell have a longer battery life than a 9-cell?

Ger...I hate tough decisions

 

Once again, confusion between the different models. Apparently the one that Xinn is looking at has a smaller battery.

Here's a chart that can give some idea of the performance between various mobile graphics cards:

Notebookcheck: Mobile Graphics Cards - Benchmark List

I guess we should be thankful that our tough decisions are something nearly inconsequential, rather than some folks that have to figure out just how to get food on the table.

 

oops, yeah, I looked at a different model there.. sorry... yeah, of course a 12 cell would have more battery life, but also means a heavier laptop...
so now u would just have to choose.... a 15" or a 14" and the battery life+weight, because the graphic card and the processor aren't a problem anymore... GL in choosing!

 

Does any one have benchmark tests or Windows 7 Experience Index to post??

 

Post #47, zip file.

 

Thank you!

 

New price for M645-S4050. $829.99 (Best Buy)

 

HP - Pavilion Laptop with Intel® Core™ i3 Processor - Mocha - dv4-2165dx

or

Toshiba - Satellite Laptop / Intel® Core™ i5 Processor / 14" Display / 4GB Memory / 500GB Hard Drive - Slate - M645-S4050

For everyday usage (no gaming, programming) and play 1080p on HDTV?

 

I think both of them can't play 1080p on HDTV.... if you are watching alot of movies or want better picture quality for media use, I suggest a Sony E series would be nice... the HP above only has Intel chip, while the Toshiba has a nvidia 310GT, so if u really want better picture quality... get the Toshiba

 

just as I'm about to buy, best buy raises the price 30 bucks!!!!!

 

Core i3/i5 can't play 1080p?
I have an Asus EEE 1000H (Atom 1.6GHz) and I can play 720p on the same TV (but making the player the higher priority on system, wmp classic and 1366x768)


Edit: Someone have tried to play some 1080p?

 

What he might be trying to say is that the built-in notebook screen only runs at 1366x768, so that's not technically 1080p resolution, but of course a 1080p video will play just fine, and very smooth. If you had an external monitor at 1920x1080 hooked up to this machine, that too would play full HD video without a problem.

 

hith, here are a couple things to consider regarding the Toshiba vs. HP machine you linked to. The Toshiba's screen is 1366x768 and is backlit LED, the HP screen is like my 5 years old Compaq, using the 14" screen at 1280x720 and is the older LCD based screen. The HP has the Intel HD graphics, that is actually built right into the processor now, I would guess that combination wouldn't have much trouble with Full HD video hooked up to a TV.

Because you are never, ever planning to play a game, the decision is yours. Get some extra horsepower and a nicer screen with the Toshiba, or grab the HP and pay nearly $200 less.

 

No.
The resolution of the netbook is lower than 1366x768, but the only way to connect it to my TV is through VGA port (my netbook doesn't have HDMI port, but the TV does). So, the max resolution for this connection is 1366x768. That's why I played 720p video on it.
I just said about the 720p on my netbook to compare about what xinn3r said that Core i3/i5 couldn't play 1080p movies.

I think it's worth paying $180 more to get extra horsepower, better screen and graphics.

 

Just because a device (notebook) has a screen on it that only does 1366x786 (or less), shouldn't limit you to a lower resolution via the VGA cable. I do 1920x1080 over VGA on older computers every single day of the year. Is it just that your netbook won't allow you to adjust the resolution on the secondary monitor for some reason, or perhaps your HD television is only 720p and not full 1080p? All of my older VGA connected laptops never seemed to have any problem hitting 1920x1080 desktop resolutions.

I would agree with you on the horsepower decision, that's why I purchased the Toshiba.

 

I understood your point. But I don't know why, my TV (Toshiba 3000 series 42') through VGA port only accept 1366x786 as max resolution. And yes, it's Full HD. But forget it about the television, I've made my decision... I'm going to buy Toshiba asap

Can you post some photos?

Thanks

 

I recently bought the M645-S4050 from BB and have just a minor quibble about the touch-sensitive media control buttons right above the keyboard. In between the - and + volume control buttons, there is an elongated right triangle, which seems to be a volume level indicator. The thing is, this triangle never lights up, while the - and + buttons do. Is that just the way it is or could I have a broken light? Could someone who also owns this computer fill me in on how theirs behaves? Thanks!

 

I tried turning the volume to max and then min using the -/+ buttons, using the on-screen controller, and I also tried sliding my finger across the triangle, but the triangle didn't light up or respond in any way. The triangle looks as if its supposed to light up...

 

Hey people---I'm considering getting one of these, namely the S4055 model. Does anyone have a good measurement of what the battery life is like while, say, using the integrated graphics and browsing the web?

 

With the 12 cell battery on my 645-4050 i get around 7-8 hrs battery with wifi, web, email. So i would estimate about half that with a 6 cell

 

yep, that was what I meant, sorry if I was not clear enough, if u mean play it on a i3 or an i5, of course it will go on without a hitch, the only problem is it does not fits the screen perfectly...

OK, I need you guys to help me get a decision here
I wanna buy a laptop, either a Toshiba M645, or a Sony CW series
both has the same core i5, same Graphic Nvidia Geforce 330GT, the only difference is... Toshiba has a backlit keyboard and 1300 something max resolution, while the Sony has no backlit but 1600x900 max resolution, so... which is actually more important here? the cooler backlit or the bigger max resolution? I was wondering higher resolution means sharper image contrast?

 

I think that Toshiba isn't backlit keyboard, correct me if I'm wrong!

About resolution, is up to you. I prefer bigger resolution, I have more space to work!

If you do a lot of image editing, programming, excel and stuffs that more space is always good... You should choose a bigger resolution...

 

it has backlit, at least, it has in my area, S.E Asia, I posted a reply about this question in the front page, and some said different areas has different specs and models.... thank God it has a backlit in my place

 

Toshiba PA3819U-1BRS Notebook Battery - 9000 mAh - PA3819U1BRS - Coolers - TOSHIBA Coolers - TheNerds.net

Hey guys if i want to get that extended battery or any extended battery would it be the same size as the stock battery ?

 

Depends on how many cells you want...

 

What's the highest capacity i can get without adding bulk?

 

Do you mean not raise the notebook?



This is a 12-cells battery... It raises the notebook a little bit... But if you want a battery that don't raises, I think for this model is the 6-cells battery, but of course, less battery life...

 

There is an extended 6 cell battery made for the Toshiba M645 that you could purchase afterwards. If anyone actually have it on their M645, how is the battery life?

 

Thanks for the reply. That doesn't look too bad. How long does the 12 cell last for you ? And i'm curious about the extended 6 cell too!

 

Toshiba Batteries

 

Here is the extended 6cell Toshiba battery for the M645: Toshiba Primary 6-Cell Li-Ion Laptop Battery from Toshiba

 

6 cell: 61Wh
12 cell: 98Wh

12-cell should last about 60% more than 6-cell.

 

On detailed specs on Toshiba's website says that 12-cell battery should last 10 hours and 19 minutes. So I think 6-cell battery should last about 6 hours and 11 minutes...

Ref: Toshiba Satellite® M645-S4050 Laptops and http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/product/pdf_files/detailed_specs/satellite_M645-S4050.pdf

EDIT: They measured with MobileMark Productivity 2007, I don't know how reliable this app is and how was the brightness, the computer usage and other things that impact the battery life.

 

I have the M645 and I feel like the fan is obnoxiously loud....any suggestions?

 

I know you have the M645-S4055. Which is the M645 version I am looking at.

Could you do me a favor and check and see what wifi card you have installed from factory on your laptop?

If you don't already know this is how you find out and I quote:

"Click the start menu and type "Device Manager" and click on it (Device Manager) when it comes up in the search results.

Find "Network Adapters" and expand it. There you will find your wireless card. Hopefully it says something like " Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200" instead of something by Atheros."

Thank you very much as this will help in my decision.

 

Looking to purchase the M645-S4055 and one of the first things I want to upgrade is the stock 6-cell 4400mah battery. Either going to get the extended Toshiba 6 cell 61wh battery which sits flush or the Toshiba 12 cell battery that has the famous bump on the rear. Since those are the only options I know of.

Since you guys had this laptop for a while. Have you gotten used to the rear lump with the 12-cell battery? is it hard to find a quality messager bag that has good protection for this laptop to fit in properly because of the 12-cell battery that sticks out from the rear?

How is it using it on the lap with the 12 cell? or using it on a hard surface? What kind of battery life you getting with the 12-cell battery?

Also, anyone purchase afterwards the extended Toshiba 6-cell 61wh battery? If so, I would be very interested in hearing what kind of unplugged usuage time you getting with that?

 

It has a broadcom wireless n card but the Intel Advanced 6200 only cost about $25 to upgrade.

 

Thats exactly what I am going to do, is upgrade to the Intel Centrino Advanced 6200. Does anyone know a reliable source to purchase this from that are 100% genuine and sealed in their original box? I read a lot of bad stories about people selling fakes of this Intel Centrino 6200. I want to make sure I purchase a 100% genuine Intel made Centrino Advanced 6200 card.

 

I have heard good things about provantage.com, also check out or do a search in the networking and wireless forum, there's some discussion about the intel 6200/6300 on there.

 

What's the difference between Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 and broadcom wireless??