Behold II Smartphone with AndroidToshiba Satellite X205-SLi3
Manufacturer: Toshiba Part number: PSPBUU-00E00K
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Toshiba's Satellite X205 offers dual-GPU SLI graphics starting at less than $2,000, making it a solid choice for mobile gamers on a budget.
Read more
Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  | | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 02/08/2010 |
CNET editors' review
Toshiba Satellite X205-SLi3 price range: $2,379.99
- Reviewed by: Dan Ackerman
- Reviewed on: 11/20/2007
- Released on: 11/01/2007
The good: SLI graphics at a relatively low price; good gaming performance; HDMI output.
The bad: Pitiful battery life; too much Toshiba branding; mini spacebar; fixed configuration means no GPU options; lower screen resolution than some other 17-inch laptops.
The bottom line: Toshiba's Satellite X205 offers dual-GPU SLI graphics starting at less than $2,000, making it a solid choice for mobile gamers on a budget.
The current flood of excellent gaming laptops (Dell's XPS M1730, HP/Voodoo's Envy, and Alienware's m9750) means that PC gamers have plenty of choices when it comes to picking a new mobile rig. To break through the clutter, Toshiba, not exactly the first name that comes to mind when you think of gaming, would have to offer something special. By putting dual SLI Nvidia GeForce 8600M GPUs in its standard 17-inch Satellite chassis for as little as $1,999, the company has done just that. Our slightly upgraded Satellite X205-SLi3 cost a little more at $2,499, but that's still a few hundred dollars less than the cheapest SLI configurations from Alienware or Dell (although they start with the higher-end Nvidia 8700). If you're looking to harness the power of dual video cards without sending your bank account into the red, the X205 walks the fine between mainstream and gamer.
| Price as reviewed / Starting price | $2,499 / $1,999 |
| Processor | 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 |
| Memory | 2GB, 667MHz DDR2 |
| Hard drive | 320GB (2x160) 5,400rpm |
| Chipset | Intel 965 |
| Graphics | SLI Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT (x2) |
| Operating System | Windows Vista Premium |
| Dimensions (WDH) | 15.6 x 11.5 x 2.0 inches |
| Screen size (diagonal) | 17.0 inches |
| System weight / Weight with AC adapter | 8.9/11.1 pounds |
| Category | Desktop Replacement |
From the outside, the Satellite X205 is nearly identical to the other laptops in Toshiba's current lineup, such as the Satellite P205, with the same rounded edges, black accents, and silver interior. The back of the lid has a subtle red-on-black design, which Toshiba calls Flare Carmine. As a fixed configuration, the color scheme and components cannot be customized. At almost 9 pounds without the A/C adapter, it's a big, bulky machine, but still about 2 pounds lighter than the massive Dell XPS M1730. Our main gripe is the giant "TOSHIBA" emblazoned in 1-inch silver letters across the laptop's lid and the backlit Satellite logo on the front edge. A little branding is fine, but it makes you feel like a walking billboard.
The X205's keyboard has a somewhat uncomfortably shortened space bar, but at least it also manages to fit in a full numeric keypad. Since it's a Toshiba, we know that there will be separate page-up and page-down keys, which is usually the first thing other laptop makers cut. Above the keyboard sits a row of basic media controls and quick-launch buttons for your media player and Web browser, as well as Toshiba's standard Harman-Kardon speakers, giving you four speakers plus a subwoofer, and excellent (for a laptop) sound. For a more multimedia experience, with better media controls but without the SLI graphics, Toshiba's Qosmio line is a longtime favorite.
The 17-inch wide-screen LCD display offers a 1,680 x 1,050 native resolution, which is standard for a screen this size, but not as high as the 1,920 x 1,200 resolution found in higher-end 17-inch laptops such as the Dell XPS M1730. The display is clear and bright, but slightly too glossy for our tastes, picking up a lot of light reflections from the room.
| Toshiba Satellite X205-SLi3 | Average for category [desktop replacement] | |
| Video | VGA-out, S-video, HDMI | VGA-out, S-video, DVI or HDMI |
| Audio | Four-way speakers with subwoofer, headphone/microphone jacks | Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks |
| Data | 4 USB 2.0, mini-FireWire, mulitformat memory card reader | 4 USB 2.0, mini-FireWire, mulitformat memory card reader |
| Expansion | Express Card slot | PC Card or ExpressCard |
| Networking | modem, Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | modem, Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth |
| Optical drive | DVD burner | DVD burner |
By offering inexpensive SLI, we suspected that the X205 might skimp on other ports and connections, but the laptop packs in just about everything we'd want, including an HDMI output, Bluetooth, 802.11n Wi-Fi, and a bundled external USB TV tuner and Media Center remote control. The cheaper $1,999 version (called the X205-SLi1) includes these extras, but drops the screen resolution to 1,440x900, the hard drive from 320GB to 240GB, and the CPU from an Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 to a slower T7250.
In our performance benchmarks, the X205 was a strong performer, only marginally slower than systems with faster processors--the Voodoo Envy (T7700) and the Dell XPS M1730 (X7900). At these speeds, the minor performance differences in most applications will be transparent to users. With dual GPUs as its main selling point, it's theX205's gaming performance that's important. Even though the DirectX 10 Nvidia GeForce Go 8600M GT isn't the top of Nvidia's line, the dual chips provided decent frame rates, even if it couldn't touch the faster (and much more expensive) SLI Nvidia 8700 GPUs found in the Dell XPS M1730. The system easily beat Voodoo's recent 15-inch gaming laptop, the Voodoo Envy M:152. In anecdotal testing, we loaded up EA's Crysis, a challenging, resource-hungry game for any PC to run. After struggling to run the game on several laptops, we were pleasantly surprised to find it working well on the X205 at a reasonable 1,024x768 resolution, with the visual options all set to medium.
Unfortunately, battery life is the Achilles' heel of this otherwise impressive system. At only 65 minutes on our DVD battery drain test, this was one of the shortest-lived laptops, desktop replacement or otherwise, we've seen. Even the XPS M1730, with more powerful components (and more flashing lights), managed to run for closer to 90 minutes.
Toshiba backs the Satellite P205-S6237 with an industry-standard one-year warranty; extending the warranty to three years costs $134, with express and onsite upgrades available for an additional fee. Support is accessible through a 24-7 toll-free phone line, an online knowledge base, and both a carry- and mail-in repair service.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
 |
1024x768, HQ, 4xAA, 8X AF | |
1280x1024, HQ, 4xAA, 8X AF |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
|
1024x768, SS:on, AA:off, 8X AF | |
1280x1024, SS:off, 4X AA, 8X AF |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
Find out more about how we test laptops.
System Configurations:
ASUS G2S
Windows Vista Home Premium Edition; 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7500; 2,048MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; 256MB Nvidia GeForce Go 8600M GT; 160GB Toshiba 5,400rpm
Voodoo Envy M:152
Windows Vista Ultimate Edition; 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7700; 2048MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT; 160GB Seagate Momentus 7,200rpm
Dell XPS M1730
Windows Vista Home Premium Edition; 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme X7900; 2,048MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; SLI 512MB Nvidia GeForce Go 8700M GT (x2); 200GB(x2) RAID 0 7,200rpm
Alienware Area-51 m9750 Special Edition
Windows Vista Ultimate Edition; 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7600; 2,048MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon x1900; (2x)100GB Seagate 7,200rpm
Toshiba Satellite X205-SLi3
Windows Vista Home Premium Edition; 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7500; 2,048MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; SLI 512MB Nvidia GeForce Go 8600M GT (x2); 160GB Hitachi 5,400rpm (x2)
User reviews
-
-
Maybe not capable of what they say!?!
by jason.zebell on December 11, 2007
Pros: Great Laptop
Cons: Horrible Customer Service
Summary: Do not believe the 4Gb's RAM Maximum, it may not be tested and true!
I would never ever buy a laptop from Toshiba again. They are great little powerhouses ...Summary: Do not believe the 4Gb's RAM Maximum, it may not be tested and true!
I would never ever buy a laptop from Toshiba again. They are great little powerhouses that get the job done, that is for sure. But Toshiba as a company just wants to be "seen" as a great company and not actually hold up the service end of the purchasing agreement.
Take a very close look at all of the specs that are listed before you buy. I bought one of their u305 13.3″ laptops 4 1/2 months ago. The specifications on their website very clearly and proudly state that the laptop is capable of utilizing 4Gb?s of RAM. It is not! And it is not because of the chipset or board being used (others use the same and are capable of 4Gb's). It is because they could not program the bios properly to handle it.
Toshiba has since my purchase changed the manual and the online specifications for this laptop line to an upper limit of 2Gb?s RAM. After many hours on the phone with their ?customer service? handlers, I am at a loss for what to do. It is at the point now that I am considering suing them. They have made absolutely no effort to rectify the situation.
It is apparently my burden to bear that the laptops specifications changed. They are not willing to allow me to return it and pay the difference for another model. They will not compensate me in any way for their mistake. I now have 2 2Gb sticks of top end OCZ sitting at home gathering dust. I cannot return them because it is past the 14 day limit. Although to OCZ?s customer service I send thanks! They are willing to send me out new (in exchange) ones if the future laptop I do buy needs differently spec?d RAM.
Stay away from Toshiba as a laptop manufacturer, they do not hold up their end of the purchase agreement and feel perfectly okay doing so.
Jake Z2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Horrible software, this thing really sucks.
by Morndenkainen on January 31, 2008
Pros: Good hardware for the most part.
Cons: Dont expect the HD-DvD drive to work without registry editing.
Summary: Bought this thing shortly after christmas, and i've spent more time on the phone with tech support than actually using it. The hardware itself seems fine, and it will ...
Summary: Bought this thing shortly after christmas, and i've spent more time on the phone with tech support than actually using it. The hardware itself seems fine, and it will run Crysis and other fairly intensive programs really well for an inexpensive laptop, but ARRRRGH! the software it comes with will make you want to punch kittens in the face with a broken glass bottle. Also good luck trying to get the "Tech support" people at toshiba to actually do anything... Like speak english in a way the average american can understand, or come up with a solution to a problem. If you bought one of these, I hope you got a degree in computer science, cause your going to need it to figgure out how to go in and surgically remove 90% of the software they included. If the bundled garbage sucked anymore, im sure the vaccum cleaner companies would be mugging each other trying to buy up the patents... Way to ruin an excellent laptop Toshiba...
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
One hell of a machine.
by jballzecj on October 31, 2007
Pros: Speed,power, gaming at its best.
Cons: None so far, if I find one I'll let you know.Never mind I got one. Its a little heavy but not too bad.
Summary: This is one awesome machine. I was comparing between Dells XPS and Alien Ware because I wanted a gaming machine. Well I some how stumbled apon this. I compared the ...
Summary: This is one awesome machine. I was comparing between Dells XPS and Alien Ware because I wanted a gaming machine. Well I some how stumbled apon this. I compared the specs and abilities. Hands down this was better. For the price of the XPS and it had much better stuff. AND it had the few things that the Aienware had that the XPS didn't. Plus this came with some goodies. I watch some tv and movies on here all the time. Play games on a nice dual vidcard. I havent even messed with all the goodies yet. Have fun
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Toshiba
- Part number: PSPBUU-00E00K
- Description: The Satellite X205 is action at your fingertips for hard-core gaming in one sleek designed notebook, with eye-popping views from the 17" diagonal WXGA+ or WSXGA+ TruBrite widescreen display . One-touch launch of the Dual Mode Pad and you face off in full throttle mode with Intel Centrino Duo processor technology. Top-of-the-line NVIDIA provides uncompromising gaming stamina. Connect to a plasma TV in High Definition, courtesy of the HDMI connector with support for up to 1080i and 5.1 surround sound. Amp up the audio with four built-in Harman Kardon speakers with one subwoofer when hordes of beings raid your planet. Dual 120GB or 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 HD DVD-ROM with DVD Super Multi drive and play HD DVD movies.
General
- Platform Technology Intel Centrino Duo
- Built-in Devices Subwoofer, Four speakers, Bluetooth antenna, Wireless LAN antenna
- Embedded Security Fingerprint reader
- Width 15.7 in
- Depth 11.3 in
- Height 2 in
- Weight 9.5 lbs
- Color Flare carmine
- Localization United States
- Notebook type Desktop replacement (7.5 + lbs.)
- Screen type Widescreen
- Wireless capabilities Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 n (draft), IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Processor
- Processor Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 / 2.2 GHz
- Multi-Core Technology Dual-Core
- 64-bit Computing Yes
- Data Bus Speed 800 MHz
- Chipset Type Mobile Intel PM965 Express
Cache Memory
- Type L2 cache
- Cache size 4 MB
RAM
- Installed Size 2 GB / 4 GB (max)
- Technology DDR2 SDRAM - 667 MHz
- Memory specification compliance PC2-5300
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 41 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 95 °F
- Humidity Range Operating 20 - 80%
Storage Controller
- Storage controller type Serial ATA/IDE
- Storage Controller / Serial ATA Interface Serial ATA-150
Storage
- Floppy Drive None
- Hard Drive 160 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
- Hard Drive (2nd) 160 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
- Storage Removable None
- Hard drive type Portable
Optical Storage
- Type DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM / HD DVD-ROM - Integrated
- CD / DVD read speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD) / 1x (HD DVD)
- CD / DVD write speed 24x (CD) / 4x (DVD±R) / 2x (DVD-R DL) / 2.4x (DVD+R DL)
- CD / DVD rewrite speed 10x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW) / 3x (DVD-RAM)
Optical Storage (2nd)
- 2nd optical storage type None
Card Reader
- Card reader type 5 in 1 card reader
- Supported flash memory cards Memory Stick, MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card, xD-Picture Card, Memory Stick Pro
Display
- Display Type 17 in TFT active matrix
- Max Resolution 1680 x 1050 ( WSXGA+ )
- Widescreen Display Yes
- Features TruBrite
Video
- Multi-GPU Configuration 2 single GPU cards (SLI)
- Graphics Processor / Vendor PCI Express x16 - NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT TurboCache
- Video Memory 512 MB DDR SDRAM
- Max Allocated RAM Size 255 MB
- Total Available Graphics Memory 767
Audio
- Audio output type Sound card
- Audio Output Features Harman/kardon stereo speakers
- Audio Input Microphone
Notebook Camera
- Camera Type Integrated
Multimedia Functionality
- TV Tuner Type Digital and analog TV
Input Device(s)
- Input device type Keyboard, Touchpad, Remote control
- Features Built-in numeric keyboard
Telecom
- Modem Fax / modem
- Max transfer rate 56 Kbps
- Protocols & Specifications ITU V.92
Networking
- Networking Network adapter
- Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
- Wireless NIC Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
- Data link protocol Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, IEEE 802.11n (draft)
- Networking standards IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED, IEEE 802.11n (draft)
Expansion / Connectivity
- Expansion Slots Total (Free) 2 Memory, 1 ( 1 ) x ExpressCard/54
- Interfaces 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Display / video - S-video output - 4 pin mini-DIN, 1 x Display / video - HDMI - 19 pin HDMI Type A, 1 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone 3.5 mm, 1 x Audio - SPDIF output/headphones, 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) - 4 pin FireWire, 6 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45, 1 x Modem - Phone line - RJ-11, 1 x Remote control - Infrared
Miscellaneous
- Features WiFi, Bluetooth, TV Tuner, Camera, Fingerprint sensor, Integrated Wi-Fi, Remote control
Power
- Power device form factor External
- Voltage Required AC 120/230 V
- Power provided 180 Watt
Battery
- Technology Lithium ion
- Installed Qty 1
- Battery capacity 6000 mAh
Operating System / Software
- OS Provided Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
- Software Google Picasa, Google Desktop, Google Toolbar, Toshiba Assist, Adobe Reader 8.0, Toshiba ConfigFree, Drivers & Utilities, InterVideo WinDVD 8, Microsoft Works 8.5, Toshiba Disc Creator, Toshiba Game Console, Yahoo! Music Jukebox, Toshiba HD DVD Player, Toshiba Speech System, Toshiba Bluetooth Stack, Toshiba Security Assist, Toshiba Value Added Package, Sun Java 2 Runtime Environment, Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5 for Toshiba, McAfee Internet Security Suite (Trial), Toshiba Extended Tiles for Windows Mobility Center, Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (Trial)
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year
Sustainability
- CNET Labs: Battery drain test / Video playback 65
- Greenpeace policy rating (Dec 2009) 5.3
Product series
-
Toshiba Satellite X205 (Core 2 Duo 1.8GHz, 2GB RAM, 120GB HDD, Vista Home Premium)
Manufacturer: Toshiba
Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 / 1.8 GHz ( Dual-Core ), 2 GB / 4 GB (max), 120 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, NVIDIA GeForce 8700M GT, 17 in TFT active matrix, RoHS, 9.5 lbs
-
Toshiba Satellite X205 (Core 2 Duo 2GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, Vista Ultimate)
Manufacturer: Toshiba
Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 / 2 GHz ( Dual-Core ), 2 GB / 4 GB (max), 160 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, NVIDIA GeForce 8700M GT, 17 in TFT active matrix, RoHS, 9.5 lbs
-
Manufacturer: Toshiba
Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 / 2.2 GHz ( Dual-Core ), 2 GB / 4 GB (max), 160 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT, 17 in TFT active matrix, 9.5 lbs
Accessories
- Toshiba SystemGuard Advanced Protection Coverage - insurance - 3 years (31565769)289.00 - 299.00
- Toshiba Extended Service Plan extended service agreement - 3 years (31554588)409.00
- Toshiba Universal Notebook/Projector Stand - stand (32475896)59.99 - 70.99
- Belkin Laptop Messenger Bag - notebook carrying case (33721029)
- Belkin Messenger Bag for notebooks up to 17" - notebook carrying case (32508726)47.00 - 59.99
- Belkin Wave Design Backpack - notebook carrying backpack (33704964)
- 1 GB Cruzer Mini USB Flash Drive (30815313)23.81 - 25.00
- 128MB MICRO VAULT USB W/ DOCK USB 2.0 (30477696)49.95
- 2 GB USB 2.0 Swivel Flash Drive (31202347)10.83 - 107.17
- Toshiba mouse (32553640)33.24 - 49.99
- Toshiba Gaming Mouse X20 - mouse (33625378)37.87 - 49.99
- 3BTN MOUSE PS2 ONLY 95/98/W2K/WME/NT/XP (20584851)
- Toshiba USB Numeric Keypad - keypad (31398592)14.59
- Toshiba Zippy USB Super Slim Full-Size Keyboard with Hot Keys - keyboard (33794934)19.99
- 104-KEY KEYBOARD USB W/ 95 KEY & 2PORT USB HUB (3255521)34.22 - 44.72
Manufacturer info
- Toshiba
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Toshiba products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.toshiba.com
- Address:
1251 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 - Phone: 1-800-316-0920
