Review of Toshiba Satellite Pro

The Toshiba Satellite Pro S300 is a desktop replacement size laptop. Toshiba loaned me one to take a look at for a review from a small business perspective. 

Bottom line: I like it. 

The first thing for me, is that it's big. Normally, I'm a tiny laptop person. And this baby ain't tiny. But it's big in a way that makes sense. I can appreciate how this would be a great alternative to a desktop for a small business.

I like:

• The screen. Bright, lovely. Makes me want to show it off to other people. And it is big enough to share a slide show with another person.
  
• The lid latch. Does exactly what it should: keeps it shut until you open it.
  
• The keyboard. A pleasure to type on. With a little Caps Lock light right on the key. Easy to read key labels. The satin-y feel of the surfaces. (I really, really liked the keyboard.)
  
• The two-prong plug. Nice for travel or for home offices.

I don't like a few things:

• The case flexes oddly when you pick it up wrong. I wonder if it will affect durability. Not a huge concern, but it feels a bit odd when you grab it from the wrist rest area.
  
• The warm breeze out of the left side. I'm warm enough, thanks.
  
• The USB ports are too far forward. If you plug in a USB mouse, the cord is now in the way of using the mouse near the laptop. 
• Trial ware. Especially for small business. I'd rather get nothing, than to get a trial copy of Microsoft Office. 
  

One thing worth noting:

• Runs XP. I'm used to Vista now, so I found this... unusual. For small business, I don't think Vista is the same kind of issue as it is for big businesses. I don't see this as good or bad, just noted.
  

So, for a large laptop, I liked it, more than I thought I would. And I'm going to miss typing on that keyboard....

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