Affordable Desktop Replacement - Toshiba SatelliteM65-S809

Posted by Matthew Brodsky

Comments
0
Likes
0
Dislikes
1

This Satellite laptop from Toshiba doesn't boast the bells and whistles of a cutting edge core duo gaming machine. However, it certainly ticks all the right boxes for those looking for an affordable desktop replacement equipped with a competitive processor, and wi-fi connectivity.

At a retailstarting price of $1299.99, the new Toshiba Satellite M65-S809may be the last piece of evidence that this old adage needs:Bigger is better. The screen on this laptop is a wide 17 inchesand bright as TruBrite, and all fit into a body that weighs onlya hair over 7 pounds and looks as slick as anything Apple can put out.

The rest of the hardware will probably have youdouble-checking the price tag as well. There's the double-layerDVD burner, 100 GB of hard drive, Harmon Kardon speakers, aFireWire port, three USBs, an S-Video, ExpressCard, a PC Cardslot, and a 5-in-1 memory card reader. And to power all that, theSatellite has a 1.73-GHz Intel Pentium M740 microprocessor and520 GB of RAM (expandable to 2 GB). Granted the specs of theSatellite M65 S809 aren't cutting edge, but you're looking here ata solid desktop replacement laptop at an affordable price, not the notebook equivalent of Seabiscuit.

The software that comes with the M65-S809 isn't shabby. You'llget WinDVD Creator 2 Platinum Software from InterVideo forvideo-editing, plus Express Media Player software from Toshiba,which allows you to listen to CDs and play DVDs without openingup Windows. For burning on discs, there's RecordNow! by Sonix.And for wireless simplicity, Toshiba has its ConfigFree tool thatallows you to tap into a Wi-Fi without tapping out infrustration.

Put all of this together, and you have a notebook that runs far faster and longer than it should for its price.Rigorous (Laptopmag) testing on the Satellite M65 S809 came upwith performance scores that outlapped its peers (203 on aMobileMark test), and battery life that was surprising (more than4 hours, and not much less with Wi-Fion).

For those pessimists and nitpickers out there, the oldadage may come to mind: it's too good to be true. And, yes, theToshibaM65 S809 has its weak spots. Its keyboard could be consideredcramped, its mouse button design awkward. You might even say thatit's wireless capabilities are middle of the pack.

But for what you're getting at less than $1,500, a simple testdrive before you buy will tell you whether those aredeal-breakers. Otherwise, nitpickers and pessimists need notapply.

Most Popular Laptops at Pricegrabber.com

Add your Comment

Verification Code
Verify (type this text in the box below the image)

Newsletter Sign-Up

Most Popular Laptops & Gear

  • 1. 13.3" MacBook Pro Notebook

    13.3" MacBook Pro Notebook

  • 2. Vostro A90 Netbook - Customizable

    Vostro A90 Netbook - Customiza

  • 3. Inspiron Mini 10v Netbook - Customizable

    Inspiron Mini 10v Netbook - Cu

  • 1. D3000 SLR Digital Camera Kit w/ 18-55mm Lens

    D3000 SLR Digital Camera Kit w

  • 2. PowerShot G11 Black Digital Camera

    PowerShot G11 Black Digital Ca

  • 3. EOS Rebel T1i Black SLR Digital Camera Kit w/...

    EOS Rebel T1i  Black SLR Digit

  • 1. iPod Touch 32GB Black MP3 Player

    iPod Touch 32GB Black MP3 Play

  • 2. iPod Touch 64GB Black MP3 Player

    iPod Touch 64GB Black MP3 Play

  • 3. iPod Touch 16GB MP3 Player - Black

    iPod Touch 16GB MP3 Player - B

  • 1. Flounce Sleeve Little Black Cocktail Dress

    Flounce Sleeve Little Black Co

  • 2. EOS Rebel T1i Black SLR Digital Camera Kit w/...

    EOS Rebel T1i  Black SLR Digit

  • 3. Windows 7 Home Premium

    Windows 7 Home Premium

Powered by
PriceGrabber.com

Latest Updates

  • ASUS Eee PC 1000HE

    The Eee PC has a slightly faster Atom processor and a faster FSB compared to the previous models. While this is not enough for anyone to upgrade, it could certainly attract first-time netbook buyers. Read More

  • Dell Vostro A860

    When price and performance must share in compromise, few laptops on the market readily answer the call of duty. When it comes to getting high quality at an affordable price, the Dell Vostro A860... Read More

  • Dell Mini 9

    By now Dell has a full range of netbooks in sizes 9", 10", and oddly a 12" model, of which we’re looking at the smallest 9-incher here. Read More

More Reviews

More Top Lists

  • Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2009

    Yet again, Apple's professional geeks will offer up sessions and hands-on code probing and testing at Moscone West in San Francisco. The dates for 2009 are June 8-12. Read More

  • E3 Expo

    The E3 Expo - also known as the Electronic Entertainment Expo - is the one trade show to visit to get the latest news from the computer and video games industry. Read More

  • CeBIT - Hannover 3-8 March

    Unlike CES, CeBIT is open to the public, so there's no need to be a press or industry affiliate to have a look at this massive trade show, which is the largest in the world. Read More

  • International CES 2009

    Find out all you need to know about the 2009 International CES. It features 2,700 exhibitors, including companies who manufacture products or provide services for the audio, digital imaging, home... Read More

  • Mac World Conference

    Make sure to make a note about the Macworld Expo at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, January 5-9. If you're a Mac user and wish to meet equivalent people in the industry this is the place for you. Read More

More Events

More Apple

More Linux

More Microsoft

Editor's Choice

  • Weird, Extraordinary and Record-Breaking Laptops

    Here are the laptops that break one record or another, be it oldest, ugliest, cheapest or just very out of the ordinary. Read More

  • Top 10 Technologies of 2008

    Laptopical's T.J. Aaron summarizes the breakthroughs in technology of 2008. As we are nearing the end of 2008 - find out what made his Top 10 of the most successful and talked about technologies of... Read More

  • Top 10 Netbooks

    The netbook world has gotten increasingly crowded, and until the massive popularity of the form factor wanes this trend will only increase. Beyond Asus and Acer, major corporations like Dell, HP... Read More

Latest Laptopical.com tweets