Why is Toshiba so behind in the times?

When's the last time Toshiba has introduced a notebook that is halfway innovative? I have a 3.5 year old Toshiba that's held up quite well considering how poorly I treat it, and I'm looking to replace it with another Toshiba because my current laptop has been so reliable. But looking at Toshiba's catalog, every consumer model they have is considerably boring and severely lacking in the performance department.

So, I ask you Toshiba NBR'ers, why???

 

No support, you can just buy a new laptop instad of sending your in for service if you don't want to wait about 4-5 weeks without laptop. My laptop Qosmio x300, has locked bios, no overclock etc etc.

 

I don't think they are particularly behind in the times, I just think they lack the motivation to make a truly high end laptop. Probably the best laptop they ever made was the X300/X305, having the best components of the day. Toshiba is a manufacturer that makes notebooks that are aimed at the low - mid range market, that doesn't necessarily mean they are behind in the times. They just aren't an enthusiast company like Clevo or Asus.

That said, Toshiba also has close to the best reliability in terms of computer production, only surpassed by maybe Asus and Clevo.

 

I dunno. When the core i7 notebook processors came out, Toshiba was one of the first 3 companies to ship a laptop immediately and within a reasonable price.

You say behind the times, but you're not looking at it from a marketing $$$ perspective. Extremely new high end draws just a few folks willing to spend the premium, super low end has a low profit margin, it's the middle of the road where the average consumer dollar is spent.

 

Toshiba does what they do, cater to the average notebook user, and they do it well. Just go to your local BB or Wal-Mart and you'll see that Toshiba usually has more laptops than any other brand there. They are a budget brand catering to everyday users and I maintain that they make the best computers for the money.

 

I don't think Toshiba is so much behind the times as their ready-made units are so mediocre, and have nothing to distinguish them from the other brand notebooks on the retailer's display shelf. I just ordered a custom U500 unit (13.3") with an i5 processor and 1033 DDR3 RAM (pretty current stuff).

Toshiba had the most reasonable price on a small, lightweight, but high-featured notebook. Nearly all other manufacturers (including Asus) have all but abandoned this market segment. Everyone else is pushing this size screen as a glorified (and underpowered) netbook. 'Thin' is just a dimension, and not my most important feature.

I supposedly have approximately another week and a half before my unit arrives (Toshiba custom unit builds are not particularly quick), and I'll write again once I start digging into this new unit.

 

Good summary - I agree with this, especially the bolded part.

 

I'm on board with the Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q870. Just bought and can't wait to test drive. I have had horrendous problems with the HP Dv8t-1000 CTO, and just finally won my battle to return it to HP. Just a guess, along with some diligent research, but I don't think the Qosmio could be as bad as the Dv8t. So, behind the times? I don't think so, but only time will tell.

 

+1. I bought my wife the U500 for the same reason, its worked out great for her. I wish I could have got the Sony or Fujitsu 13", but if you're on a budget and want an i5, Toshiba's really the only one in this (US) market.