Toshiba Satellite L755-S5258: Solid Performance, Cheap Parts

The Toshiba Satellite L755-S5258 seems like a spending budget notebook, but it really is got a decent punch under its belt. Sadly, the low cost exterior and inexpensive building (the Operate essential on our critique design failed to work) might not be ample to generate up for its or else sound overall performance.

Our review unit, priced at $690 (as of 9/27/2011), happens full of a second-generation Intel Core i5-2410M processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 640GB challenging generate (spinning at 5400 rpm). The Satellite L755 also functions built-in 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, a built-in webcam and microphone, and an HDMI port. It comes with the 64-bit model of Windows seven Property Top quality mounted.

In WorldBench six benchmark assessments, the L755-S5258 scored an appropriate 115. That score is nowhere close to the very best of the charts, especially in the all-purpose laptops category to which this model belongs, but it is still fairly good for a sub-$700 notebook, and is also only two details beneath the scores of the HP Pavilion dv6 along with the Toshiba Satellite M645-S4118X, two related, but considerably pricier, devices.

The L755 has no discrete graphics card--it relies about the integrated graphics of its Sandy Bridge processor. So graphics efficiency leaves a thing to become sought after: In Filth two, by way of example, it manages a barely playable frame fee of 19.6 frames for each second (utilizing high-quality settings along with a resolution of 1024 by 768). This really is typical for integrated graphics; as well as the aforementioned HP Pavilion dv6, that has a low-end discrete graphics card, managed only a rather far better frame price of 24.3 fps in this check.

The visual form of the Satellite's design and style is exciting, to mention the the very least. The notebook incorporates a rounded, shiny plastic cover that is mild gray using a subtle criss-cross pattern. A sizable, pale silver Toshiba emblem is printed inside the middle, along with the total cover is easy. The criss-cross pattern carries above to the keyboard deck also. The inside has rounded insets for numerous attributes, which includes the speakers and trackpad buttons. Overall, these layout particulars make the notebook appear to be a futuristic cartoon product, rather than within a great way. However it is not my type, maybe it will charm to some.

In spite of the unattractive style, the machine is tough and lighter than it seems to be. It weighs five.7 pounds, which can be common to get a fifteen.6-inch notebook, and is also just under 1.5 inches thick at its thickest point.

The Satellite does relatively effectively with its ports, specially provided its lower cost. About the still left facet can be a 10/100 ethernet port, a VGA port, an HDMI port, microphone and headphone jacks, a Kensington lock slot, as well as a USB two.0 port with Sleep and Cost engineering. The latter feature permits you to cost your USB units although the notebook is in snooze mode. The best aspect has the DVD-SuperMulti push and also two extra USB 2.0 ports (without having Snooze and Charge). A memory card reader, in addition to several standing lights, is within the front edge.

The keyboard and touchpad are first rate for any fifteen.6-inch laptop computer. The keyboard's flat, easy keys are extremely comfortable to form on. (And I really do suggest smooth--the keys are so slick that I practically desire to just operate my fingers over them.) Thankfully, this smoothness just isn't much of the hindrance to speedy typing. The keyboard also features a 10-key amount pad--a wonderful addition to a 15.6-inch notebook.

Our review product did have one problem: the Function key refused to operate, even soon after keyboard motorists had been reinstalled. Plenty of keys are supposed to operate using the Fn important on this computer, therefore the indisputable fact that it's not functioning is surely an issue.

The touchpad is a tiny less impressive, however it's easy to use and responsive. This is a little, raised sq., just slightly rougher compared to bordering wristpad. Two big, discrete buttons are under it, equally simple to press. The sole difficulty I had using the touchpad, aside from its aesthetics (I dislike textured squares as opposed to properly denoted pads), is always that it really is modest. The Satellite L755-S5258 includes a great deal of wristpad real-estate, so it really is disappointing that Toshiba did not utilize it successfully. By way of example, the buttons under the touchpad are very big and consider up a lot far more space than necessary. The trackpad does assistance multitouch gestures, but you barely have sufficient place to execute them.

The Satellite's glossy fifteen.6-inch LCD display screen incorporates a native resolution of 1366 by 768. The display is wonderful to look at, but it is not excellent. It is generally a little dimmer than I usually like, and colours are inclined to search washed out. Multimedia playback is clean, however you will see some blockiness and noise, specifically in darkish scenes. Speakers are standard notebook quality--very delicate for this dimension of device. On the as well as facet, the sound coming out of the speakers--what tiny it is possible to hear of it--is crisp.

Will not let the Toshiba Satellite L755-S5258's lower price fool you: This lapdop is actually a solid performer. Sadly, the rest of the layout is not as solid--the notebook looks and feels cheap, the Purpose key, at least on our check unit, wouldn't function, along with the trackpad is incredibly modest. All Toshiba needs to do is ensure its areas are operating and enlarge the trackpad (which should be easy--they had enough area to get a range pad, right after all), as well as the Satellite L755-S5258 would be a great spending budget machine.