Rating: 
Summary: 10 Pound PowerHouse
Review: I bought this laptop three months ago, so I should be able to give it a good review having used it every day since the purchase date. I am a laptop user, I don't like desktops because I am always on the move and I need my files on one computer to grab and go. Whether it be work related or a LAN party. So far I have to used it to play UT2004(all graphics on max), Splinter Cell & Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow, Counter-Strike Condition Zero, and a few others. It plays them well. I was definitely impressed as I heard that the P25 can't play games that well due to the 64 meg video card. The blue housing is beautiful. The screen in huge and definitely viewable from all angles. The wi-fi works great and is backwards adaptable to 801.11 B and A standards. It does all the tasks that I require flawlessly. Also the speakers sound great, they are definitely loud and clear. The placement of them also allows games and movies to be heard as though two speakers were behind your head for a surround sound feeling. Also the DVD burner is an excellent addition. Being able to add files to a RW DVD then delete them later is like having the equivalent of 8 cd's packed into one at your disposal. All in all I highly recommend this computer but I do have some complaints. First, the screen is a little dim. During DVD playing or game playing I don't notice it though. Second, I don't really like this border around the keyboard, they could have made the keyboard bigger. Third, the speakers have a lot of treble but no bass. For the price I paid they could have slipped in a subwoofer like the previous models. Other than those 3 gripes I consider this laptop a top performer and tough competition for those who are in the market for the Apple 17 inch screen G5's or any laptop for that matter.
Rating:
Summary: Great computer, but not so much for games.
Review: I got this computer to use as a desktop replacement. It is more than capable when it comes to standard office programs, but the only limitation I have found is in gameplay. It is generally a powerhouse, but it can bog down on graphic intensive games. Other than that, I love it.cj
Rating: 
Summary: Ouch!
Review: I say ouch because with shipping and taxes I paid almost $3000 for this laptop and I wish I had returned it rather than tried to live with it. Even as I am typing this review on the P25 it is typically unstable; the cursor unpredictably shifts its position and I have to frequently make corrections. For the same reason, I cannot use Microsoft Word on this computer, even though I have tried installing two different versions. Instability is also a problem when I am on the internet; it skips back to the previous screen frequently. In addition, the quality of TV reception is not good on the 17 inch screen (the same signal is good on my TV set) and the voice and picture are not synchronized, sometimes slightly so, sometimes extremely so. Somebody knowledgeable told me this is true of TV reception on all computers; I wish I had known that before I bought this P25. I should mention that I had just previously sent back a Dell laptop with many of the same features because it was crashing and locking up out of the box. Because the Toshiba did not lock up and crash out of the box, I thought I could live with it. But I've come to regret that decision. If the P25 worked properly, it would be worth the money. And maybe others have had better luck than I have, or have been able to make adjustments. But I hired a technician to install wireless on this and another computer I own and he had such a frustrating time with Toshiba telephone technicians in India that he was fuming. The poor service provided by Toshiba is becoming notorious. Instead of the Chinese water torture, they are using the Indian telephone torture. That is probably the biggest risk you run with Toshiba, the poor service. What I suspect is that these multi-featured laptops cannot adequately do the demanding juggling required technically. We like the idea of everything being integrated, but the integration is an unachieved ideal, a fantasy. If I had to do it again, I'd get the exchange computer Dell cheerfully offered when the first malfunctioned. Or maybe the wisest thing would be to stop looking for a laptop that promises to do everything
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Amazing!
Review: I was puzzled why Toshiba would discontinue the P25 series so quickly leaving the 15" P15 as the only Media Center laptop they offer, but on with the review. I recently purchased this beautiful machine on discount at CompUSA and I knew this was the laptop that I was looking for.
This laptop is truly a DESKTOP REPLACEMENT (don't look for battery life to be stellar) with jaw-dropping specs even for a desktop (except for the graphics which seem a little undersized with a FX Go5200 64MB). The unit is put together well but visually, the looks are an acquired taste. Another problem is the keyboard which seems so small compared to the rest of the laptop. A 10-digit keypad like the HP 17-inch notebook would have been a welcomed edition. At least, Toshiba could have put the Windows and Menu buttons in the standard position instead of the upper-right hand corner. With the Media Center Edition of Windows XP, I have gotten rid of the television in my room and replaced it with this notebook. However, I don't see why the television tuner had to be a removable module forcing you to chose between a battery and television. The thing is so huge and so heavy (10 pounds!), I think Toshiba could have fit in the TV Tuner. So if you are looking for a true desktop replacment, look no further because, despite some minor problems, this is an all-around excellent machine.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Amazing!
Review: I was puzzled why Toshiba would discontinue the P25 series so quickly leaving the 15" P15 as the only Media Center laptop they offer, but on with the review. I recently purchased this beautiful machine on discount at CompUSA and I knew this was the laptop that I was looking for.
This laptop is truly a DESKTOP REPLACEMENT (don't look for battery life to be stellar) with jaw-dropping specs even for a desktop (except for the graphics which seem a little undersized with a FX Go5200 64MB). The unit is put together well but visually, the looks are an acquired taste. Another problem is the keyboard which seems so small compared to the rest of the laptop. A 10-digit keypad like the HP 17-inch notebook would have been a welcomed edition. At least, Toshiba could have put the Windows and Menu buttons in the standard position instead of the upper-right hand corner. With the Media Center Edition of Windows XP, I have gotten rid of the television in my room and replaced it with this notebook. However, I don't see why the television tuner had to be a removable module forcing you to chose between a battery and television. The thing is so huge and so heavy (10 pounds!), I think Toshiba could have fit in the TV Tuner. So if you are looking for a true desktop replacment, look no further because, despite some minor problems, this is an all-around excellent machine.
Rating: 
Summary: At last!
Review: I've been waiting I don't know how long for a laptop/notebook that really IS a high-end desktop replacement, not just in the advertizing, but actually--and not just a throw-together from an unheard-of company, but from a major player. Toshiba has finally done it!
It blitzes the field on most major points: massive RAM (expandable to 2GB), although I would have liked to see faster RAM, generous hard drive (80GB, 5400rpm), although I would have liked to see 7200rpm, huge screen that is perfect for wide-screen movies, built-in TV tuner, the latest Wi-Fi capability built in (802.11a/g), four USB 2.0 ports, FireWire port, although the placement of this port is not ideal, legacy parallel port, although it has no legacy serial port, dual monitor support, external CD controls, DVD-Multi drive that does EVERYTHING in one 'box'!, built-in modem and ethernet, PCMCIA cardbus Type I and II, Harmon/Kardon speakers, although I am disappointed that Toshiba did not include the sub-woofer as with previous models, and so much more.
My only other disappointments (but not enough to dampen my enthusiasm) are the short battery life (1.5 hours, but this is to be expected with such a powerhouse), not the best bundled software (MSWorks instead of MSOffice?? Come on, guys!), average soundcard (but this is no problem with the plethora of USB and PCMCIA soundcards now available), and not the maximum graphics RAM (64MB... would have expected 128MB in an extreme machine like this).
When all is said and done, though, I'm stoked! I've taken out extra insurance on this baby!
Rating:
Summary: If you need customer service, don't buy Toshiba
Review: It's too bad that Toshiba has such horrible customer service. This machine is wonderful, as are most of their products. But if you have a problem and need help, they aren't there for you, they don't know their products and don't really care much about their customers.
The machine is lighter than I expected but huge. You need a special case if you plan on taking it anywhere. The battery last about 2 hours, not too bad for such a powerful machine. The WiFi connected right up to my home wireless network and the connection is great even from quite a distance. The screen is beautiful and the sound can't be beat on any laptop. It has 64mb video ram, I wish it were 128, but sure better than the standard 32mb. This laptop has a lpt and serial port where my 5205 only has USB. I did find that my external hard drive was not recognized on the rear USB port but was on the side USB port, not sure why yet. There are 4 USB 2.0 ports and the SD card slot with I use to copy photos from my Pentax digital camera to the laptop. All in all, it is a really great machine at a remarkable price for the features.
Rating:
Summary: Read this before you buy...
Review: Please be careful before you decide to purchase this from certain Amazon.com Marketplace buyers. I have been eyeing this laptop for a while now but the price is still out of reach for me and so still waiting for the price drop.
Anyway, there are some "just launched" private sellers that lure you into contacting them directly by offering ridisculously low price like, say under $1000 for a brand new system, or even sometimes they mention it's in like-new condition to make it more believable I guess. They will sound really polite and encourage you to buy directly from them instead of going through the Amazon.com process by sending them the funds through Western Union, that way you will get the laptop sooner and they will even provide the shipping cost! I know because I have encountered a couple of these "sellers" here at the Amazon marketplace. I was almost tempted by the so-called great deal, then my common sense sunk in and I knew there was something wrong about it all. I didn't go through the deal, informed Amazon.com instead what these sellers were trying to do as it is against policy to sell here and not use the appropriate Amazon.com checkout process.
I've heard countless others like this at another popular site, Ebay, of scams that happens everyday by sellers only accepting Western Union as payment. YOU WILL NEVER SEE YOUR MONEY AGAIN OR GET YOUR ITEM!
Just be wary of "sounds too good to be true" deals here or anywhere else for that matter. I came so close to giving my money away and never getting the laptop in return. If you don't believe this just do some research and you'll find out for yourself. Just a friendly warning from a regular Amazon.com customer (and a Marketplace seller as well).
Rating:
Summary: Read this before you buy...
Review: Please be careful before you decide to purchase this from certain Amazon.com Marketplace buyers. I have been eyeing this laptop for a while now but the price is still out of reach for me and so still waiting for the price drop.
Anyway, there are some "just launched" private sellers that lure you into contacting them directly by offering ridisculously low price like, say under $1000 for a brand new system, or even sometimes they mention it's in like-new condition to make it more believable I guess. They will sound really polite and encourage you to buy directly from them instead of going through the Amazon.com process by sending them the funds through Western Union, that way you will get the laptop sooner and they will even provide the shipping cost! I know because I have encountered a couple of these "sellers" here at the Amazon marketplace. I was almost tempted by the so-called great deal, then my common sense sunk in and I knew there was something wrong about it all. I didn't go through the deal, informed Amazon.com instead what these sellers were trying to do as it is against policy to sell here and not use the appropriate Amazon.com checkout process.
I've heard countless others like this at another popular site, Ebay, of scams that happens everyday by sellers only accepting Western Union as payment. YOU WILL NEVER SEE YOUR MONEY AGAIN OR GET YOUR ITEM!
Just be wary of "sounds too good to be true" deals here or anywhere else for that matter. I came so close to giving my money away and never getting the laptop in return. If you don't believe this just do some research and you'll find out for yourself. Just a friendly warning from a regular Amazon.com customer (and a Marketplace seller as well).
Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended for multimedia work & gorgeous screen
Review: This computer (next to my beau) is the light of my life. I've had it for 11 months and am head over heals in love. I use it for photo manipulation with Photoshop CS, web development with Dreamweaver MX 2004, animation creation with Flash MX 2004, authoring multimedia projects with Director MX, a bit of music mixing with Adobe Audition, streaming music from Rhapsody, listening to NPR and watching DVDs. All my peripherals (Epson Photo printer, iRiver mp3 player, SanDisk media reader, cordless mouse) plug and play nicely together, all at the same time. The big, beautiful monitor is the best feature. Watching DVDs in bed is such a treat! The computer is a dream to type on. Feels like there are shock absorbers or pockets of air beneath each key. The harman/kardon speakers are the only drawback. Having heard the speakers on the Toshiba Satellite 5205-S704, which are fantastic, rectangular speakers that actually raise up above the keyboard area, I had high expectations. But the volume on the P25 speakers is far too low. I overcome this with Creature speakers plugged in. Whilst I wouldn't want to transport this computer with me every day due to the weight, it does fit in my bike messenger bag for those occasional trips across town or overseas. Not many laptop backpacks will fit the 17" screen. The WiFi is wonderful. Even in a small apartment. I love being able to take it to the kitchen table, the living room couch or the bed with no cords dangling off. I've worked on 2 laptops and 4 desktop computers for multimedia in the past and this one is by far the best.
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