Review: Toshiba Satellite A300-02C

• Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 2GHz CPU with 25 Watt TDP
• AMD RADEON HD 3650 with 512MB of DDR2 RAM
• 15.4" WXGA High-Definition Display With 1280 x 800 Resolution
• 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
• 4GB 800MHz DDR2 System Memory
• Super Multi 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support

Conclusion

One of Toshiba's traits that always puzzles me is that they always stop short of making the unequivocally killer product. Last year they delivered the X200 - arguably the first mainstream gaming notebook - with its two 8700m GPUs that came up short against the cheaper and much faster Gateway P-6831FX. It's my perception that as good as their notebooks are; they tend to the more conservative end of the excite-o-meter.

The A300-02C doesn't deviate from this pattern. It is not cheap - $1,000 is a far cry from entry level in 2008. A brand name isn't enough to justify a premium anymore - therefore I think it was a mistake not to spec DDR3 system memory and GDDR3 video memory. I understand that it takes balance and compromise to deliver a competitive product but performance features are omitted here that would distance this notebook from its competitors and more importantly last year's models that are being marked down right now.

A similarly performing Gateway can be had for $100-250 less using last year's CPU (T5750) and GPU (RADEON HD 2600) and some lucky folks are walking out of Best Buy with clearance models at half the price of the A300-02C and about 90-95% of the performance.

In addition to the performance features left off, important portability features like a larger capacity battery are also missing. If this notebook is not targeted to gamers on the run, then it should at least include a proper battery. Poor battery life is only excusable when performance is very strong.

Like so many of the Toshiba notebooks I have reviewed, the A300-02C is good. Still, it's not the fastest, sleekest or best value notebook you will find.

Pros:

• Portable gaming performance in a small package
• Solid construction

Con:

• Small battery and poor stamina
• Monetvina 2 does not show the expected gains in this configuration
• DDR2 800 system memory instead of DDR3 1066
• DDR2 1000 video memory instead of GDDR3 or GDDR4
• User serviceability compromised
  • No access to MXM-II
  • No access to CPU
  • No access to Intel 5100
  • Empty drive slot with SATA connector removed

• A little over-priced, easier to recommend at $800-850