Toshiba Satellite M35-S320 Laptop (1.50 GHz Pentium M (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD-CDRW Combo)

Measuring 14.1 by 10.6 by 1.4 inches and weighing just 6.2 pounds, the Satellite M35-S320 Notebook is rather wide but comfortably slim and quite portable. Toshiba has based the system on Intel's Centrino technology, whereby three interconnected elements -- an Intel Pentium M CPU (with 1 full MB of Level 2 cache), an Intel 855 chipset, and a cord-free network connection -- work together to keep your notebook lightweight, wirelessly connected, power efficient, and faster than its rated CPU speed might indicate. Driven by a quick 1.5 GHz Pentium M CPU, 512 MB RAM memory (expandable to 2 full GB) and a nVidia GeForce FX graphics controller with 32 MB of dedicated video memory, the unit is ready for most typical 2-D and 3-D tasks, though it may have trouble smoothly displaying the sophisticated 3-D imaging of today's most complex three-dimensional games and graphic design suites.

The system's large 60 GB hard disk offers enough storage space for all your regular data and a substantial library of multimedia files too, and its CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive allows you to listen to and burn audio CDs, archive data to durable digital media, and play DVD movies. DVD burning is not supported. Other welcome amenities include a generous 15.4-inch display in DVD-friendly widescreen 16:9 format, an 85-key keyboard with 12 hotkeys, a TouchPad pointing device with scroll function, and integrated harman/kardon stereo speakers.

With the Satellite M35-S320 Notebook, communication options are virtually limitless. In environments with wired connections, you can select from a 56K dial-up modem or high-speed 10/100 Ethernet LAN. When hardwiring is a problem, you can stay in touch via integrated IntelPRO/Wireless 2100 LAN. Other key components include three fast USB 2.0 ports for fast interaction with external plug and play devices such as scanners and digital cameras, an S-Video TV--out, and an infrared port for wireless communication with PDAs and the like.

Product Description
Whether sitting on your couch or in your office, the Satellite M35 Series with Intel Centrino mobile technology incorporates convenient productivity features ready for any business or home. Combined with an enhanced battery life and increased performance packaged in an eye-catching silver design, the Satellite M35 Series is the notebook you want for both work and play.

I do have a list of nit picky negatives, it's just the way my mind works, and I am also very wary of a review that has no negatives. First it could be lighter, but you could say that about any laptop. Secondly, I wish there were more usb ports, it has 3 all on the right side. You can buy one of those port splitters, but again its a laptop and too much bulk gets you away from the reason you bought one in the first place. Next, the IR port is on the front, and while I haven't needed to use it for a printer it seems an odd place to put it. Probably on either side near the back would be better. Finally, it doesn't come with Office 2003, you can buy it for $149, but then the value for the system comes down a little bit.

Overall, this computer is a do-it-all all-star. If you want to play games it handles them with ease, if you want to watch movies the widescreen is unusually good at it, if you want to write a research paper and have the accompanying PP presentation on the effects of lispro on gestational diabetes you can do that too. It works on the road and as a desktop too. I am very happy with it and am glad I went big!


Great package, reliable brand   May 21, 2004
Sergio Pereira (Grayslake, IL United States)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

Got this laptop a week ago and I just love it. Being a computer nut, and a computer programmer, I had to pick a machine that would work well with my tasks. So far this one is handling the processor-intensive tasks I need very well. After realizing that I had been working on my old Pentium III 900MHz 512MB desktop for more than three years and still not feeling the urgent need to upgrade that one, I concluded that I'll probably use this laptop as a full replacement for my old warrior and not need to upgrade laptops in a long time.
The main factor when I decided for the Toshiba after comparing different brands was the reliability and reputation of this brand. Seriously, everytime I take some equipment (TVs VCRs, etc) for service at the retail store I notice the high number of HP and Sony Vaio laptops piling up the shelves. After Compaq merger with HP, and seeing their models similiarities, I'm now scared of Compaqs too. I took Dell out of the contest because of a personal bad experience with tech support and bad drivers I got in the past. All this, combined with the great price and package made it almos a no-brainer for me.
One thing that would make this one even better would be a multi-card-format reader instead of the SD-only reader. But I can live without that with my USB flash drive.


Perfect for everyone but really intensive computing   May 13, 2004
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Not to repeat the other review, let me just say that the computer is great. Watching a movie and surfing the web at the same time is totally possible with the great and wide screen. The keyboard feeling is great, the setup out of box is superb.

I would only say the when considering this machine with others with Pentium 4-M, the main tradeoff is between 1.5-2 pounds less versus computing power for processor-intensive uses like MatLab or Engineering software or advance digital work. If you are a traditional (mostly MSOffice kind of software) user this is by far the best option.

The only little detail I would like to point out is that I find the SD-slot somewhat difficult to reach when using the computer on a flat surface. Btw, the SD-slot is very convenient to transfer pictures and movies from digital cameras without the need to install specialized software. I also find it very useful for transferring info from my PDA to the computer.

Excellent for home-school, home-office frequent trips. Once again Toshiba did a great job.


Excellent laptop and reasonable price   May 18, 2004
Code-Breaker (EDINA, MN United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

The laptop is just too good. Excellent audio and video and makes up a good cinemascope screen and good theater like environment for watching DVDs.
Connects to wi-fi network with ease.
Portability also good but some may not like the 15" WXGA screen which makes the laptop look lil big but then if you go for a lesser screen you clearly lose the clarity.
Keyboard is springy and not hard like other laptops but I would buy an additional set of mouse and keyboard.
I found the DVD drive to be too gentle and sometimes fear if that would come out if I use a bit of force.
Overall it is my dream machine and hope it would be the same for you too.
Happy Toshiba-ing