Toshiba Satellite U200-ST2091

[tyanni]

Anyone have a Toshiba Satellite U200-ST2091? I've spec'd out the following for my aunt who wants a laptop that weighs around 4lbs. Its cheaper than the Dell Latitude D620, but I don't have any experience w\ Toshiba. Seems like a good deal at $1388...

Satellite U200-ST2091 - Toshiba Laptop
PLUA0UTC6VM6

CPU: Intel® Core? Duo Processor T2250 (1.73GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)
Operating System: Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
Color Variation: Mist Gray
Memory: 1024MB PC5300 DDR2 667MHz SDRAM (1024MBx1)
LCD: 12.1" Diagonal Widescreen XGA TruBrite? display (1280x800)
Graphics Controller: Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
HDD: 60GB HDD (5400rpm, Serial-ATA)
Optical Media: DVD SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) drive
Mini-PCI/WiFi: Intel® PRO/Wireless LAN 3945ABG (802.11a/b/g)
Standard Warranty: 1 Year Standard Limited Warranty
Extended Warranty: Toshiba 3-Year SystemGuard + 2nd/3rd Year Extended Service Plan

 

[alimoalem]

there is no way that costs more than a dell D620:

CPU: T7200 C2D 2.0
RAM: 1gb
Screen: 14.1" (1440x900)
Graphics: Quadro NVS 110M (subract 60 for GMA 950)
HDD: 60GB 5400rpm
Optical: dvd burner
Warranty: 3year

Total: $1278

and it's a better laptop with better parts.

 

[tyanni]

Its not just the 3 year warranty - its the 3 year warranty w\ accidental damage coverage, which is expensive when bought from Dell. I don't think your quote has the CompleteCare.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: tyanni
Its not just the 3 year warranty - its the 3 year warranty w\ accidental damage coverage, which is expensive when bought from Dell. I don't think your quote has the CompleteCare.

you're right, it doesn't, but it only costs $150. your aunt, iirc, was looking to stay under $1500 so this would put it at $1428. if you want to go cheaper, the dell i spec'd has a T7200 which is a $140 upgrade. take that away and it goes down to $1288. the T5500 is still a faster CPU than the T2250, despite its lower clock.

again, this is all up to you and your aunt but i think the D620 is a better deal at just above 4lbs with a very nice screen. if your aunt really wants a 12" laptop, though, that price you have is hard to beat with 3 years accidental damage coverage

 

[tyanni]

My aunt actually needs to get a printer and Office 2003/2007 w/ the $1500, but you are correct - the D620 it is. I absolutely love my D620, and after spec'ing it out some more, I can't justify the 12" screen and slightly less weight when I know the build quality of the Dell and it has a larger screen.

 

[stinger73]

ummm.... I beg to digress... but the U200 is actually the same machine as the Tecra M6, only differnence is color for Satellite. So along with the Easy guard tools built in (HDD protection, spill resistant KB, shock protection).. and the fact the the screen is a 210nit TB?

Have any of you actually seen the unit? The last 2 Dell D6xx that we ordered had to be sent back because of bad mobo's within 3 weeks... To date from 49 toshiba machines including 3 U200 and 4 M6's I have had only 1 go back for warranty (in the last 18 months)..

For Dell of the 136 units that I have worked on for the last 4 years, I have had 37 go back to the factory for warranty, and these were not $399 inspirons.

For the money and the weight difference the Toshiba is a better deal/buy machine.


Note: The U205 in best buy is the same chasiss but not the same internals as the U200 that you BTO from toshibadirect.

My $0.02

 

[tyanni]

My Dell D620, which I got immediately after it came out and w\ a Intel Core Duo and Integrated Graphics, did have a screen and HDD issue almost immediately. But after the LCD and HDD were replaced, its been great for almost a year now. Otherwise, we have almost 100 laptops from Dell here, including about 20 D620s. No issues with them in the beginning, although I think the D600s are junk. Overall, thats a VERY good reliability figure - 1 issue w\ a laptop amongst 100.

Tim

 

[tyanni]

On another note - if you had a choice between an upgraded processor (T5600 from T5500) and Integrated Graphics or the T5500 and an upgraded Nvidia Dedicated Graphics, what would you choose? Whats more important in the long run - slightly faster processor or a better graphics card?

 

[stinger73]

Depends...

If mobility and longer battery life is the issue (which it usually is for smaller and more mobile machines, my users are all on the road 30-60%) then the faster CPU and integrated GFX. If you dont care about battery life, then it will be discrete.

Side note, NVS 110M with 128M+384 TC will still give u an Aero score of 3.1 (GPU), as will the Intel GMA 950. That I found to be very amusing.

 

[tyanni]

The issue here is that the person I am buying this for has a very tight budget, so its either or. I can upgrade the ram later, but I am obviously stuck w\ the processor and graphics. So I am trying to determine what will help the most as far as a later upgrade to Vista. Sounds like the CPU and Intel GMA is the way to go, since, as you pointed out, aero glass should perform fine as long as there is enough memory. I can probably go to 2 GB in a year or so.

 

[stinger73]

Oh yes before I forget.

Aero on GMA950 for any mfg will need dual channel.. so keep that in mind

And if you get XP now, you can still if purchased by 3/15 get the vista upgrade

www.vistaupgrade.toshiba.com

 

[Philippine Mango]

Sorry but in my experience with toshiba laptops, they're garbage.. The only good toshibas I've worked with are 10+ years old... yeah, hmm 1995, yeah thats over 10 years.. Don't buy a toshiba laptop...

 

[tyanni]

Well, I am going to get her a D620 at this point - just trying to decide if the 60 bucks should be spent on a faster processor or the nicer graphics. In 2 years - what will make a bigger difference? So many questions ...