Toshiba Satellite P105-S921 user reviews

Pros Nice screen

Cons It is a poorly made computer and it breaks A LOT

Summary I did not have this computer for more then a month when it crashed and then I sent it back to toshiba and it took over a month for them to replace the system board. When i got it back i did not have it for more then a month when the hardrive crahsed. I am in college and I have lost my work twice already. This computer sucks, toshiba sucks, and i would never recommend buyging any toshiba product.

Pros sleek design, good display, good specs for the price

Cons problem setting up the DVD RAM drive to write on my DVD-R disc, low sound volume

Summary I have a 15" toshiba satellite 5005 series at home (and a HPCompaq for office) and am happy with it but was looking for another Toshiba laptop to replace it for a range of uses (multi-media, office software etc - I am not a gamer). Before buying , the closest competing product seemed to be the HP Pavilion dv8000 (Sony seemed overpriced, Dell MX150 seemed too much of a gaming laptop, and for my budget (<$2,000) - a customisable Toshiba seemed to be the best option) . I leaned towards the Toshiba for its better design as well as because I was more comfortable with Toshibas (already own one). I opted to select the P100 7211 - a customisable version of the P105. It has only been a week now - I am not a techie but here are my first impressions (for whatever they are worth):

1. Beware that if you are a 15" laptop user and need to work a lot with office documents (excel and word etc) like I do, you may be surprised by the small icons and text size on the 17" widescreen. This screen is ideal for multimedia applications and games and does not seem so much for office/business use.

2. The Harman Kardon speakers that work so well on my older satellite seem to be muted in this model. The volume is way lower than what I expected for a multimedia system. I might need to complement the laptop with add on speakers from Bose etc. The clarity of sound is very good though plus I like the volume control wheel..

3. I liked the fingerprint scanner - scans quite fast as well as the small remote control that slides into the card slots on the left side of the unit.

4. I like the sleek design (about an inch thick with a dark black-grey screen lid).

5. I spent a few anxious hours trying to figure out how to use the DVD-RAM drive to write onto a DVD-R disc - I realized that the basic Drive Letter Access (DLA) software from Sonic that Toshiba bundles with this laptop does not format DVD-Rs. I had to purchase a commercial DLA in order to be able to format and was relieved finally when I realized there was nothing wrong with the drive but that the problem was with the DLA. I would have expected Toshiba to have provided a better DLA software.

6. I bought this laptop off the internet, without having physically seen this unit at a retailer - seems to be a silly thing to do for an investment of this amount. No regrets since I am generally happy with the laptop but this is a lesson for the future - the only unpleasant surprise was seeing the text size and the icons shrink to tiny sizes! - not sure yet, if there is a way to change the settings to correct this.

7. I opted for a 2gb ram and a 2.16ghz (dual core) processor - since i don't do any gaming, I can't comment on the speed of the system but I wanted to get a reasonably high end unit just so I can continue to use this laptop for the next three years without having to upgrade. I have watched movies on this laptop and enjoyed the wide screen, clear display

Overall a very good desktop replacement with a few cons more to do with my intended use rather than the laptop itself.

Pros Fast nice many features

Cons Repair Repair Repair

Summary In my opinion this is a great laptop fast everything very nice display , light beautiful all you want. Cons....Screen Flickers!!!! . It has been 3 time to the shop now. Very Very bad quality Toshiba. I Called for an exchange and they said " sorry we don't replace laptops" if you have any problems bring it to the service center again, and if this occurs after the warranty has expired the you have to pay for it. Have a nice day"

Pros "Good" computer so long as it works perfectly and NEVER needs service.

Cons "Customer Care" department is imaginary. You will NEVER get through to them.

Summary I have BOTH systemguard and service express warranty agreements with Toshiba. When my laptop was damaged in a car accident, they said they would cover it. Til this date, it's still "somewhere."

I was told that I would be sent a replacement 2 weeks after they received it. Now, it's been 3 weeks and NOTHING. Contacting customer care (the people in charge of replacing the system) is IMPOSSIBLE.

I have left messages for them over 10 times with customer service and they haven't called me back at all. They are allowed 5-business days to call me back and it's been over 2 weeks.

I had to call their corporate offices, but of course, I am only able to leave a message for them to call me back and they STILL haven't called me back. And that was a week ago.

Now I have to get a certified letter and send in legal documents for something that was SUPPOSED to be a safeguard for my computer.

So, my advice to you, DO NOT GET SYSTEMGUARD. Save your money. If you do get it, it's an utter waste of time and who knows when, or if, you'll ever get your computer back. And the service express is as much as a joke.

Also, if you like speaking to Manila and Singapore, then Toshiba is for you as their customer service is from there and they are so disconnected with the entire process is ridiculous. They're certainly saving money by putting a call center there but because there is ZERO accountability, nothing will get done except the runaround.

I don't know what happened to the exceptional service I heard about but it's obviously gone!