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Company: Toshiba
 
Market Price: $1800 - $1900
See it on Amazon
 My quest for the computer replacement was complete when I found the Toshiba Satellite P25. After a month of searching and one failed winner, this Toshiba won the Be Scott Manning's New Friend for the Next Few Years contest. The competition was tough, but there can only be one winner.
The research
As I explained in a previous review of a crappy laptop, I was looking for more than a "desktop replacement". Marketing guys keep using that term, but a lot of the mobile computers out there are not true desktop replacements. While you may be able to carry the laptop around with you wherever you go, can it truly do everything your desktop does? What about the screen size, graphics card, and processing speed? I find that what most companies mean by "desktop replacement" is a mobile computer that is almost as good as a desktop. So while the laptop may be good, they are still forced to maintain two different computers.
Forget that idea. I was looking for the replacement of all my computers. No more maintaining content and programs across several different machines. No more using one machine for gaming and the other for word processing during travel. I wanted a laptop that I could live with for the next few years and not worry about what any of my other computers could have to offer me.
For a mobile computer to truly replace a desktop, it would need a fairly large screen. Other than Apple's PowerBook G4, there were only two other companies offering 17-inch screens on their laptops (VoodooPC and Toshiba. HP has one in the works, but as of this article, it has not been released yet).
I toyed with the idea of buying a VoodooPC, but after configuration, the price was near 4,000 bucks. Not only is that impossible to justify to my wife, I made a vow to never spend that much on a computer. What costs a fortune today, will sell for 50 dollars in three years.
I eventually passed off the idea of the 17-inch laptop altogether rationalizing that it would just be too heavy to carry. Both Windows models were around ten pounds and there was no way I was switching to a Mac. The Mac also wouldn't work, because it didn't have any support for DirectX 9. I even read Bill Howard's article on mega-portables, but just wasn't convinced yet.
I then spent a lot of time on CNet looking at all the different models and what they offered. Ultimately, I needed a complete computer replacement under two grand.
How I learned to quit worrying and love the giant
After a disappointing return of a WinBook, I figured I had nothing to lose and should be more open-minded. I evaluated Toshiba's 17-inch Satellite P25 once again. After some deep consideration, I figured that ten pounds wasn't much for what I would get in the machine.
- Intel Pentium 4 Processor 2.8GHz
- 512MB PC-2100 DDR SDRAM (Upgradeable to 2 GB)
- 60GB hard drive
- DVD-RW/CD-RW combo drive
- nVidia GeForce FX Go5200 graphics (32 MB)
- 17-inch Wide XGA Active Matrix Display
- 1440 x 900 at 24-bit (16.7M colors) max resolution
- Integrated 802.11a/b wireless
- 4 USB 2.0 Ports
And that list just includes the stuff that I actually care about. There are also a lot of cute features including a volume control dial, a Firewire port, a power switch for the wireless card, an SD memory card slot, and S-Video out port.
I tried out the S-Video on my TV just for fun and it works fine. This port can be used with devices like video cameras to transfer video to the laptop.
Super-sexy screen
The screen is phenomenal on this computer. I walked around the office and couldn't find a brighter or clearer screen among any of the high-priced developer machines (Some of these guys are so serious about their programming that they've paid $5,000 for their laptops.).
The 16:9 ratio gives me plenty of room to work with. Since I do a lot of work in Microsoft's Word, I am able to display pages next to each without needing to downsize them too much.
Today, I tried out XP's Duelview feature that allows me to use several monitors at once. I freaked out several people in the office as I dragged documents from my laptop screen to a separate monitor on my desk. Hell, it freaked me out at first. After the initial shock, I found Duelview useful as I worked on one document on one screen and reviewed another on the other screen.
My wife and I tried playing a DVD on the computer this last weekend. We ended up watching the whole DVD on the computer even though our TV was in the same room. Widescreen movies fit perfectly on the machine and the sound is great. We'll probably be doing several cheap dates with this laptop as we watch movies from the backseat of our car with a pretty river or forest as the backdrop of our fake theater.
The graphics card
A big test that this laptop had to pass was in the graphics card arena. Fortunately, it is equipped with the nVidia GeForce FX Go5200. This card has 32 MB of dedicated memory and is next to the top of the line.
So far, I've put in about five hours of Star Wars Galaxies, which requires DirectX 9 support, and haven't had a problem. The game plays seamlessly.
Very expandable
One of the many features that attracted me to the Satellite P25 was its ability to expand. It only ships with 512 MB of memory, but can be upgraded to 2 GB. I've never dreamed of having that much memory in one machine, but the option is always good. God only knows what programs I'll be using a year from now that will require loads of memory.
Also, there is an extra optical bay. I can add another hard drive or even a battery. The battery option sounds the most appetizing since there is only about 2 hours worth of life on the current one.
Small keyboard
One of the few complaints I have about this laptop is the small keyboard. Although there is plenty of room to arrange the keys in a more traditional (desktop) fashion, Toshiba opted not to do so. Keys are in awkward places that are difficult to use, especially for those of us who type regularly. The Windows key is in the upper right-hand corner, and the Insert and Delete buttons can be found to the right of the spacebar. They just arranged the keys like it was a small laptop.
It's a shame. HP's big laptop takes the opposite approach and even offers a number keypad.
The social opportunities
When you come to work with a computer of this magnitude, word travels fast. People demonstrate their amazing wit as they compare it to things like surfboards. I've heard about 17 jokes insinuating that I'm attempting to compensate for something. People come from all over the office just to see "the thing".
It's okay. I don't mind. Seriously.
But what is funnier than anything else is the reactions from people who have no idea that I've got the computer sitting on my desk. They walk up and start talking until it catches their eyes, "Hey, Scott. I've got a quick question for you. I was talking to the client and ... Holy crap! What the hell is that thing?"
I then spend about five minutes explaining that it is in fact a computer and it does weigh a lot. And yes, this is similar to the first laptops that weighed a lot, but the difference is this Toshiba is actually worth carrying around. No, it didn't cost a fortune, just under 2,000.
Finally, the person will say, "Wow. I may get one of those! I have no idea why I came over here to talk to you." They then walk away with a puzzled look on their face.
I eventually printed up a specifications sheet on the computer because I got tired of explaining all the features the laptop had in it.
 Sure it's heavy, but so what?
The main concern people express to me is the weight. It's actually exactly 9.9 pounds. In a technology world where smaller is better, it baffles people that someone would buy such a large piece of equipment.
I've been carrying the thing around for five days and I'm doing just fine. I'm a tough guy and I think I can carry ten pounds to and from my car, every day. It reminds me of being in school carrying a load of textbooks.
In contrast, my work issued me a Sony VAIO PCG-C1VN (pictured to the right) for a year. It was definitely small and light weight. I could fit the thing in my back pocket. But the screen was just too small. I spent a lot of time hunched over and squinting trying to get work done. I finally quit using it after I demanded that my work provide me with something bigger.
Was it worth the $1800? You bet. I'll be using this machine for some time to come. And for all you get in it, the price is amazing.
Related links:
Toshiba's cute product tour
PC Mag's review |
