Toshiba Satellite X205-S9359: DX10 to go, please!
by Jarred Walton on August 31, 2007 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Laptops
Features and Options
Unlike many other notebook manufacturers, Toshiba doesn't provide a lot of options for configuring their notebooks. The Satellite X205 comes in two different models, the lower end S9349 and the upgraded S9359. We were sent the high-end model, although most of the differences are relatively minor. Here's a breakdown of the two different configurations.
As you might expect, the S9359 comes with an upgraded processor, using the T7300 instead of the T7100. Besides the additional 200 MHz clock speed, the T7300 also doubles the L2 cache size. The S9349 uses the same graphics chip -- the GeForce 8700M GT -- but it only includes half as much graphics memory. We aren't certain if the clock speeds are the same on the GPUs, but we would assume so.
While doubling the amount of graphics memory might not be a big deal, a couple of the other upgrades might be more tempting. Specifically, the S9359 comes with a 1680x1050 LCD panel instead of a 1440x900 panel. It also uses two 160GB hard drives instead of two 120GB hard drives, increasing total hard drive capacity by 33%.
Are all of the upgrades worth an extra $500? Ultimately, that's up to the individual to decide, but we would certainly consider investing the extra money. Other than selecting the base model, additional configuration options are pretty much limited to choosing accessories as well as whether or not you want an extended warranty and/or accident protection.
Taking a moment to highlight a few of the notable features, the inclusion of an HD-DVD drive as well as an HDMI output port definitely makes this more of a multimedia laptop than many competing offerings. It's also nice to see that Toshiba does the right thing and installs 2GB of memory on both models, especially since Windows Vista Ultimate is the only operating system choice. While Toshiba does install two hard drives in either model, note that they are not in a RAID configuration. Some people might prefer to have a RAID 0 setup, but we actually much prefer having two separate hard drives.
The audio configuration is somewhat unique, in that there are actually four speakers on the top of the laptop. Considering that HD audio support is included, we expected the speakers to provide four separate sound channels. This is not the case: the speakers are a stereo configuration. That's not a huge problem, but we were surprised to discover that the four audio jacks on the front of the laptop don't actually support anything other than stereo audio output... at least when using analog audio. Switch over to the digital connection or use the HDMI port, and you should be able to output a digital audio stream. (We'll be testing that in part two, as mentioned already.)
Most of the other options are the same as what you'd see on any modern 17" notebook, with the possible exception of the wireless networking. More and more laptops are moving towards including Intel's latest chipset, and Toshiba does that as well. The 4965AGN provides Draft-N WiFi support, along with the standard 802.11 A/B/G. As mentioned previously, however, Draft-N networking is still a bit hit or miss, and stability and network disconnects seem to occur far more frequently in that mode.
Rounding out the multimedia aspects of this notebook, Toshiba includes an external USB TV tuner and remote. You also get a 1.3MP webcam, 1024MB Intel Turbo Memory, and a "Flare Camino" decorative cover that we'll take a closer look at on the next page. A fingerprint reader is also included.
Unlike many other notebook manufacturers, Toshiba doesn't provide a lot of options for configuring their notebooks. The Satellite X205 comes in two different models, the lower end S9349 and the upgraded S9359. We were sent the high-end model, although most of the differences are relatively minor. Here's a breakdown of the two different configurations.
| Toshiba X205 System Configuration Options | ||
| S9349 | S9359 | |
| Processor | Core 2 Duo T7100 (1.80GHz, 2MB L2, 800FSB) | Core 2 Duo T7300 (2.00GHz, 4MB L2, 800FSB) |
| Chipset | Intel GM965 + ICH8-ME | |
| FSB Speed | 667 MHz | |
| Memory Speed | DDR2-667 | |
| Memory Slots | (2) x SO-DIMM, 2GB DDR2-667 Standard 4GB Maximum Supported |
|
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 8700M GT 256MB Up to 255MB TurboCache |
NVIDIA GeForce 8700M GT 512MB Up to 255MB TurboCache 2D Clocks: 169/100 3D Clocks: 625/700 |
| Display | 17" WXGA+ TruBright (1440x900) | 17" WSXGA+ TruBright (1680x1050) |
| Expansion Slots | 1 x ExpressCard/54 | |
| Hard Drives | 2 x 120GB 5400RPM SATA (non-RAID) | 2 x 160GB 5400RPM SATA (non-RAID) |
| Optical Drive | HD DVD/DVDR SuperMulti | |
| Networking/Communications | Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet and V.90 56K Modem Intel 4965AGN (802.11A/B/G/N) WiFi Bluetooth v2.0 |
|
| Audio | Realtek HD Audio with Four (Stereo) Harmon Kardon Speakers | |
| Left Ports | Power Jack VGA 1 x Gigabit Ethernet 2 x USB S-Video Out HDMI 1 x mini-Firewire 1 x ExpressCard/54 |
|
| Right Ports | 4 x USB 2.0 Modem (RJ-11) HD DVD Optical Drive Kensington Lock |
|
| Front Ports | WiFi On/Off Switch S/PDIF Out, Mic, Speakers, Headphone Volume Knob Flash reader (SD, MS/Pro, MMC, xD) |
|
| Back Ports | None | |
| Keyboard | 104 Key QWERTY (US) with 10 Key Pad | |
| Extras | 1.3MP Webcam 6 quick access buttons USB TV tuner and remote Flare Carmine lid Fingerprint Reader 1024MB Intel Turbo Memory Quick Launch Touchpad |
|
| Battery Options | 9-Cell 65WHr | |
| Dimensions | 15.7"x11.3"x1.88-2.44" (WxDxH) 9.37 lbs. (Laptop and Battery) |
|
| Power Adapter | 180W 6.73"x1.73"x1.42" (LxDxH) 1.94 lbs. | |
| Operating System | Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit | |
As you might expect, the S9359 comes with an upgraded processor, using the T7300 instead of the T7100. Besides the additional 200 MHz clock speed, the T7300 also doubles the L2 cache size. The S9349 uses the same graphics chip -- the GeForce 8700M GT -- but it only includes half as much graphics memory. We aren't certain if the clock speeds are the same on the GPUs, but we would assume so.
While doubling the amount of graphics memory might not be a big deal, a couple of the other upgrades might be more tempting. Specifically, the S9359 comes with a 1680x1050 LCD panel instead of a 1440x900 panel. It also uses two 160GB hard drives instead of two 120GB hard drives, increasing total hard drive capacity by 33%.
Are all of the upgrades worth an extra $500? Ultimately, that's up to the individual to decide, but we would certainly consider investing the extra money. Other than selecting the base model, additional configuration options are pretty much limited to choosing accessories as well as whether or not you want an extended warranty and/or accident protection.
Taking a moment to highlight a few of the notable features, the inclusion of an HD-DVD drive as well as an HDMI output port definitely makes this more of a multimedia laptop than many competing offerings. It's also nice to see that Toshiba does the right thing and installs 2GB of memory on both models, especially since Windows Vista Ultimate is the only operating system choice. While Toshiba does install two hard drives in either model, note that they are not in a RAID configuration. Some people might prefer to have a RAID 0 setup, but we actually much prefer having two separate hard drives.
The audio configuration is somewhat unique, in that there are actually four speakers on the top of the laptop. Considering that HD audio support is included, we expected the speakers to provide four separate sound channels. This is not the case: the speakers are a stereo configuration. That's not a huge problem, but we were surprised to discover that the four audio jacks on the front of the laptop don't actually support anything other than stereo audio output... at least when using analog audio. Switch over to the digital connection or use the HDMI port, and you should be able to output a digital audio stream. (We'll be testing that in part two, as mentioned already.)
Most of the other options are the same as what you'd see on any modern 17" notebook, with the possible exception of the wireless networking. More and more laptops are moving towards including Intel's latest chipset, and Toshiba does that as well. The 4965AGN provides Draft-N WiFi support, along with the standard 802.11 A/B/G. As mentioned previously, however, Draft-N networking is still a bit hit or miss, and stability and network disconnects seem to occur far more frequently in that mode.
Rounding out the multimedia aspects of this notebook, Toshiba includes an external USB TV tuner and remote. You also get a 1.3MP webcam, 1024MB Intel Turbo Memory, and a "Flare Camino" decorative cover that we'll take a closer look at on the next page. A fingerprint reader is also included.
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mostlyprudent - Friday, August 31, 2007 - link
Will the follow up article give a little more info about the quality of the LCD display?Inkjammer - Friday, August 31, 2007 - link
I'm actually using the same Toshiba x205 laptop right now. The LCD is fairly decent, but to be honest I've seen better. I just can't seem to ever shake the feeling there's just not enough contrast - the colors seems slightly muted. They're by no means bad, but could be slightly better.The quality is good, and the blacks seem rather decent enough - HD-DVDs look fantastic. Hot Fuzz and 300 really do shine on the monitor.