X205 Thought

Perhaps I am mistaken, but does it seem weird to anyone else that Toshiba went with the model numbers SLi1 and SLi3? I was going through a list of Toshiba's past model rarely do they skip just one number between models. Could this signify yet another set of additons to the X205 family? Perhaps they reserved the SLi2 and perhaps SLi4 models for a higher and lower end model with dual 8700M's.....or hopefully 8800m's?

 

It does seem a little odd, but then again other companies have done the same thing, and built systems with only odd numbers for their models. Looking at some of Toshiba's other notebook models it looks like in the systems with even numbers the systems have smaller panels (13.3" compared to 14.x") than their odd numbered counterparts. For other companies sometimes their even number systems stand for systems with AMD CPUs (instead of Intel), and/or ATI GPUs (instead of Nvidia). Regardless unless you talk to a knowledgeable (and truthful) Toshiba rep there is no way to if and when they might ever come out with even number sli systems (let alone what might be different in them).

One other possible motivating factor for buying a Toshiba is they are continuing their offer of 5 free hd-dvd dics until February 2008 on systems with HD-DVD drives including the x205 49,59, sli1, and sli3 models.

(warning PDF file - you might want to use a program like FoxIt pdf reader for a faster more stable page)
http://www.toshibadirect.com/content/pc/b2c/downloads/rebates/5freeHDDVDs.pdf

 

It does seem odd. With the recent price cuts, I think Toshiba is trying to phase out the 9349 and 9359. Perhaps there will be an SLI2 and SLI4, each sporting 8700s?

It'd make sense. SLI1 and 2 are the "low end" while the 3 and 4 are the "high end"? Or maybe they've taken a stance against even numbers.

 

That is exactly what I think. I think I might start a spreadsheet with the tech specs from Toshiba on their models and see if there is a pattern. I wish I could find a place with their release dates though.

 

If you are going to buy one of those, wait till the new ones come out if they even do and buy it or wait and get these ones for cheap.

 

I think Toshiba should just cave in and allow customizable X200/X205s. Screw this pre-configured nonsense - I wanted a T7700 from the start.

 

*Update* I've started on the spreadsheet idea. I'm through about the A25 family and I am chugging through it. So far I have the CPU Vendor (model and clock speed also), GPU Vendor and model, RAM on board plus the upgradeability of the RAM, the screen size and resolution, the HD capacity, OS version and the release dates (once I've found them). Any ideas on what else to include?

 

Aloha all, I was reading your thread on the SLI1 and 3. This would be one of the notebooks I would like to purchase. I was comparing these to the X205-S9349 and 9359 (which, as someome else mentioned, may be discontinued to pave the way for new SLI notebooks, and that seems to be a true statement). I went to the J&R Music World website and did some looking around (it seemed they had the best prices so far on SLI notebooks) and they are advertising that they will carry the Satellite X205-SLI4. Technical specifications from the website are:

Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1GHz
3GB RAM
320GB Hard Drive
Dual GeForce 8600M GT
TV Tuner
HD DVD-ROM/DVD±R/RW
802.11AGN
Webcam
Vista Ultimate

The Satellite X205 is action at your fingertips for hard-core gaming or heavy-duty Video Editing in one sleek designed notebook, with eye-popping views from the brilliant 17-inch diagonal WSXGA+ TruBrite widescreen display. One-touch launch of the Dual Mode Pad and you face off in full throttle mode with the newest Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 processor with 3MB L3 Cache. Top gamers will appreciate the top-of-the-line NVIDIA SLI Dual GeForce 8600M GT graphics card with 512MB Dedicated video RAM, for uncompromising gaming stamina for mind over muscle defeat of your opponent. Amp up the Audio with four built-in Harman Kardon speakers and subwoofer. Dual 160GB (7200rpm) hard drives, 3GB RAM as well as upgraded 1GB LAN Connectivity for faster transfer rates provide an uninterrupted thrill-packed adventure. Burn, rip and store more multimedia files with the DVD Super Multi drive and with the HD DVD-ROM play HD DVD movies. Connect to LCD or Plasma TV in HD, courtesy of the HDMI connector with support for up to 1080i and 5.1-surround sound.
Box Contents: Satellite X205-Sli4, Lithium-Ion Battery, 180W AC Adapter, Toshiba Remote Control, Software Bundle: Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit), Microsoft Works 9.0, Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition: 60-Day Trial, McAfee Internet Security Suite 30-Day Trial, 1-Year Limited Warranty
Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1GHz Processor
3MB L2 Cache 800MHz Bus speed
3072MB DDR2 (PC2-5300) RAM Max: 4GB
320GB (2 x 160 HD 7200RPM) SATA Hard Drive
17.0" diagonal WSXGA+ 1680 x 1050 TruBrite TFT LCD display
PCI-E x16 NVIDIA SLI Dual GeForce 8600M GT, 512MB GDDR3 Discrete graphics memory, plus up to 255MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory
Built-in Webcam and microphone
Toshiba USB HDTV Tuner (External)
HD DVD-ROM/DVD±R/RW Super Multi Drive with Double Layer
4 Built-in Harman/Kardon Stereo speakers with 1 subwoofer
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965 802.11AGN Wireless
10/100/1000 Ethernet
Bluetooth v2.0 (EDR)
Fingerprint reader
5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter: MMC, SD, MS, MS Pro, xD
1 ExpressCard Slot (34/54 Slot)
6 USB 2.0, 1 Headphone out; 1 Microphone-in, 1 VGA, 1 TV-Out (S-Video), 1 HDMI, 1 IEEE 1394, 1 RJ-11, 1 RJ-45
Approximate Unit Dimensions: 15.7" (W) x 11.3" (D) x 2.05" (H)
Approximate Unit Weight: 9.37lbs

I wonder why they would have the computer with a new INTEL processor with 3MB L3 cache, and still retain the nVidia Geforce 8600M GT GPU. They must be getting great deals from nVidia to use these processors. I was wondering when the nVidia Geforce Go 8700's and 8800's would hit the SLI notebooks.

Maybe they want to make an SLI5 notebook after this??

 

The Toshiba Satellite X205-SLI-2 will also be offered on the J&R Music World website ( www.jr.com). It is similar to the SLI4, with the exception of:

SLI2 SLI4
==== =====
2GB RAM 3GB RAM
Vista Home Premium Vista Ultimate
WXGA+ 1440x900 WSXGA+ 1680 x 1050
$1999 $2499

Everything else seems the same.

Toshiba Satellite X205-SLI2
---------------------------
Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1GHz / 2GB RAM / 320GB Hard Drive / Dual GeForce 8600M GT / HD DVD-ROM/DVD±R/RW / 802.11AGN / Webcam / Vista Home Premium

The Satellite X205 is action at your fingertips for hard-core gaming or heavy-duty Video Editing in one sleek designed notebook, with eye-popping views from the brilliant 17-inch diagonal WXGA+ TruBrite widescreen display. One-touch launch of the Dual Mode Pad and you face off in full throttle mode with the newest Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 processor with 3MB L3 Cache. Top gamers will appreciate the top-of-the-line NVIDIA SLI Dual GeForce 8600M GT graphics card with 512MB Dedicated video RAM, for uncompromising gaming stamina for mind over muscle defeat of your opponent. Amp up the Audio with four built-in Harman Kardon speakers and subwoofer. Dual 160GB hard drives, as well as upgraded 1GB LAN Connectivity for faster transfer rates provide an uninterrupted thrill-packed adventure. Burn, rip and store more multimedia files with the DVD Super Multi drive and with the HD DVD-ROM play HD DVD movies. Connect to LCD or Plasma TV in HD, courtesy of the HDMI connector with support for up to 1080i and 5.1-surround sound.
Box Contents: Satellite X205-Sli2, Lithium-Ion Battery, 180W AC Adapter, Software Bundle: Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit), Microsoft Works 9.0, Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition: 60-Day Trial, McAfee Internet Security Suite 30-Day Trial, 1-Year Limited Warranty
Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1GHz Processor
3MB L3 Cache 800MHz Bus speed
2048MB DDR2 (PC2-5300) RAM Max: 4GB
320GB (2 x 160 HD) SATA Hard Drive
17.0" diagonal WXGA+ 1440 x 900 TruBrite TFT LCD display
PCI-E x16 NVIDIA SLI Dual GeForce 8600M GT, 512MB GDDR3 Discrete graphics memory, plus up to 255MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory
Built-in Webcam and microphone
HD DVD-ROM/DVD±R/RW Super Multi Drive with Double Layer
4 Built-in Harman/Kardon Stereo speakers with 1 subwoofer
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965 802.11AGN Wireless
10/100/1000 Ethernet
Bluetooth v2.0 (EDR)
Fingerprint reader
5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter: MMC, SD, MS, MS Pro, xD
1 ExpressCard Slot (34/54 Slot)
6 USB 2.0, 1 Headphone out; 1 Microphone-in, 1 VGA, 1 TV-Out (S-Video), 1 HDMI, 1 IEEE 1394, 1 RJ-11, 1 RJ-45
Approximate Unit Dimensions: 15.7" (W) x 11.3" (D) x 2.05" (H)
Approximate Unit Weight: 9.37lbs