Toshiba delivers a slick and slim ultraportable that performs well Toshiba PA3534U-1BRS Battery for less than $500, but its ergonomics are too netbook-like.
We've been fans Vostro 1000 Battery of Toshiba's netbook designs since the original mini NB205 hit our labs last year and wondered when its metal keyboard, generous trackpad, and slick overall aesthetic would find its way into the manufacturer's other notebooks. We got our wish--sort of--with the $469 Satellite T215D (S1140), a lithe 11.6-inch ultraportable sporting an AMD processor and ATI graphics. This system performs head and shoulders above netbooks, but like all AMD ultraportables we've tested, its Akku HP Pavilion DV8 battery life is shorter than Intel-powered machines with the same size screen. Plus, the T215D is not as comfortable to use as other laptops in its class.
Design
The T215D is a shrunken version of the 13-inch Satellite T235/T235D, sharing the same Sony VGP-BPL9 Battery overall look in an 11.6-inch size. At just 11.2 x 8.2 x 1 inches, it's svelte like a netbook; the system only weighs 3.3 pounds--half a pound heavier than the average netbook--so it's nearly as easy to drop in a bag and carry around without dragging down your shoulder. Despite its sub-$500 price tag, the Satellite T215D looks like a more expensive system. Its shiny lid (available in charcoal, red, or white) has a subtle wave pattern overlaid on top of an even more subtle grid imprint. Though the glossy Akku HP Pavilion DV7 surface picked up fingerprints, they weren't too prominent.
However, the real star Sony VGP-BPS9 Battery of the show is the chrome-colored deck, keyboard, and touchpad. While the keyboard's keys and base are both matte chrome, the palm rest and area above the keyboard have a gorgeous shiny surface with a slightly rough texture, which Toshiba calls a Fusion chrome finish. We like that the keyboard inclines slightly for a more comfortable typing position. The touchpad sports a smooth surface that continues the Fusion pattern (which some may find to be a little loud), while the two mouse buttons and front lip are a glossy, Akku HP Compaq 6735S pattern-free chrome.
Keyboard and Touchpad
At first, we were pleased to see that the keyboard on the T215D looks and feels like the metal VGP-BPS9A Battery one found on the NB305 netbook. There's generous spacing between the keys and springy tactile feedback. However, the keys are shorter than they are wide, which makes typing feel somewhat cramped. Also, users who rely on keyboard shortcuts will find the small Alt and Tab keys frustrating. The keyboard Akku HP Pavilion DV6000 is pretty good overall, but the larger keys found on the Dell Inspiron M101z and the Lenovo ThinkPad X100e offer a more comfortable typing experience.
The 3 x 1.5-inch touchpad VGP-BPS13 Battery is wide enough, and the surface offered just the right amount of resistance, allowing us to navigate around the desktop with ease. The pad also supports multitouch gestures such as pinch-to-zoom. Its two discrete buttons aren't stiff, but they're located on the lip of the machine, which is angled downward. This design Akku HP Pavilion DV6500 move makes activating the buttons somewhat awkward.
Heat
We noticed that the back of the T215D heated up when we used the notebook in our lap, but Akku HP Pavilion DV9000 temperatures didn't get uncomfortable. After playing a Hulu clip at full screen for 15 minutes, we measured heat on the touchpad (97 degrees), between the G and H keys (88 degrees), and in the center of the bottom (92 degrees), all of which are acceptable for normal use.
Display and Audio
At first we weren't impressed with the color Akku HP Pavilion DV2000 depth on the T215D's 11.6-inch, 1366 x 768-pixel display. The screen was so washed out that we had a hard time distinguishing between light grey and white. However, after adjusting the Desktop Display properties with ATI's Catalyst Control Center Advanced (found in the Start menu), we were able to bring out popping colors and deep blacks.
Viewing angles were decent for a glossy display, despite seeing our reflection during dark scenes. An HD trailer for The Discoverers played smoothly, though Akku HP Pavilion DV8000 we noticed very slight hitching, and a streamed standard-def episode of The Closer looked fairly crisp.
The audio quality on the Satellite T215D didn't impress. With the speakers tucked under the front lip Akku Dell Latitude D610 of the system, sounds were muffled while the T215 was in our lap, and they didn't much improve on a desk. We had to turn the volume up to 100 percent to fill a small room with music, which sounded slightly tinny with muddled bass.
Ports and Webcam
The generous port spread on the T215D includes VGA, Ethernet, two USB, headphone, akku and mic ports along the right side. A 3-in-1 memory card reader, combo eSATA/Sleep-and-Charge USB, and HDMI ports line the left.
The webcam captured dark images that weren't very crisp, so while we Dell Laptop Akku were identifiable when chatting with our Skype friend, details were limited.
