10:19 PM
Sanket Barot
Toshiba has rolled out two new laptops with SLI Technology. Part of the Satellite range, the X205-SLi1 and X205-SLi3 are pitched at the avid PC gamer - with extra features to ensure mobility and connectivity.
Both machines are based on an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, although the SLi1 uses the 2GHz T7250 and the SLi3 has the more powerful 2.2GHz T7500. Each has a maximum 4GB DDR2 memory capacity, although both machines only ship with around half of that capacity used. However, 2GB is sometimes considered a "starting capacity" for gaming-orientated machines and is enough to run Vista – as both machines do.
As the SLi3 model is the more expensive of the two, it would have been nice to see Toshiba up its graphics performance over the SLi1. Unfortunately, it's chosen to ship both with Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT GPUs, each with 512MB GDDR3 memory. Toshiba has also crammed two SATA hard drives into each machine, giving the SLi1 240GB and the SLi3 320GB across two equally split-capacity drives.
Each machine has a 17in widescreen display, making them good for watching DVDs. The SLi1 has a lower spec 1440 x 900 resolution, and its counterpart a slightly better 1680 x 1050 resolution. The real bonus of the SLi3 is the Toshiba external USB HDTV tuner, through which users can run games or watch films at either 720p or 1080i, but not "true" HD. Four built-in stereo speakers and a subwoofer are also included in both machines, which may help your games or DVD sound slightly better than average tinny laptop speakers.
Wi-Fi is possible over 802.11 a/g/n and short-range connections over Bluetooth 2.0+EDR with both machines, although Toshiba hasn't opted for version 2.1+EDR, which was recently adopted as the succeeding version by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. To ensure they have all the bells and whistle required, Toshiba has also thrown in a webcam, microphone, and fingerprint reader.
The Toshiba Satellite X205-SLi1 and X205-SLi3 are available now in the USA for $2,000 (£1,000/€1,350) and $2,500 (£1,250/€1,500) respectively. There's no mention of a UK release yet and neither machines appear on Toshiba's UK website.
Satellite X205-SLI3 Unique Specifications:
-- Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit version)
-- Intel Core2 Duo Processor T7500
-- 2.2GHz, 4MB L2, 800MHz FSB
-- 2048MB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM memory
-- Maximum capacity 4096MB
-- 320GB (5400 RPM) using two Serial-ATA hard disk drives
-- Primary: 160GB + Secondary: 160GB
-- HD DVD-ROM/DVD SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) drive supporting 12 formats
-- Toshiba USB HDTV Tuner (External)
-- Broadcast high-definition (720p or 1080i)
-- Broadcast standard definition (480i)
-- 17-inch diagonal widescreen TruBrite display
-- 1680x1050 native resolution (WSXGA+)
-- NVIDIA SLI technology with dual GeForce 8600M GT GPUs with 512MB GDDR3 discrete graphics memory
-- 4 built-in Harman Kardon stereo speakers with subwoofer
-- Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (802.11a/g/n)
-- Bluetooth version 2.0 plus Enhanced Data Rate
-- Embedded Webcam and microphone
-- Fingerprint reader
Satellite X205-SLI1 Unique Specifications:
-- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit version)
-- Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7250
-- 2.0GHz, 4MB L2, 800MHz FSB
-- 2048MB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM memory
-- Maximum capacity 4096MB
-- 240GB (5400 RPM) using two Serial-ATA hard disk drives
-- Primary: 120GB + Secondary: 120GB
-- HD DVD-ROM/DVD SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) drive supporting 12 formats
-- 17-inch diagonal widescreen TruBrite display
-- 1440x900 native resolution (WXGA+)
-- NVIDIA SLI technology with dual GeForce 8600M GT GPUs with 512MB GDDR3 discrete graphics memory
-- 4 built-in Harman Kardon stereo speakers with subwoofer
-- Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (802.11a/g/n)
-- Bluetooth version 2.0 plus Enhanced Data Rate
-- Embedded Webcam and microphone
-- Fingerprint reader
Source: - http://www.finalsense.com/news/it/notebook_pocketpc/toshiba_satellite_x205.htm
