Toshiba Satellite M45X-S331 15.4" Notebook PC (Intel Pentium M Processor 730 (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD SuperMulti Drive)

Manufacturer:	Toshiba
List price:	~~$1,399.99~~
Our price:	that is 100% off!

Toshiba Satellite M45X-S331 15.4" Notebook PC (Intel Pentium M Processor 730 (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD SuperMulti Drive)

Average rating: Stars

Great Laptop

I bought this laptop about 4 months ago and I am very pleased with it. Everything works great as advertised and I am very impressed with its wireless capabilities. All the peripheral devices that I plugged into it were instantly recognized and installed without me having to load any software. These included a wireless mouse, flash drive, and USB hub.

There is a design problem with the laptop however. While working in Battery mode with wireless turned on, if you plug in the AC, it freezes. Nothing works it won't even turn off. The first time this happened to me it was scary but I found a solution. If you keep pressing the on/off switch for 5 seconds it will reset itself. The problem can be avoided by simply turning off wireless before plugging in AC, easily done since there is a mechanical switch to do this.

My biggest dissapointment is with Toshiba support. The webpage doesn't mention anything about the wireless freeze, even though it's known issue by now. As far as resetting the computer they say to insert a pin into the reset hole like the old laptops. This laptop doesn't have a reset hole, you just have to press and hold the on/off switch.

I highly recommend this laptop.

Toshiba Satellite M45X-S331 15.4" Notebook PC (Intel Pentium M Processor 730 (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD SuperMulti Drive) - Toshiba

Returned it after 18 hours

I brought the Toshiba M45-S331 and promptly returned it within 18 hours.

The wireless connection is way to erratic. If you go from battery to AC while you are on wireless then the system simply freezes.

I noticed the DVD drive made a horrible loud sound when it was reading data.

After keeping the system on for about 5 hours I noticed that the laptop was beginning to get quite hot. I had placed the laptop on a desk so I doubt very much if I was blocking any vents.

The only saving grace for this system is the fantastic LCD display, though I doubt any one would want to pay for just that on a system that is inherently so faulty (I believe the system freezing up problem described above is well known - I am curious as to why Toshiba has not fixed that problem and if it is unable to rectify the problem then why does it continue to ship faulty systems).

I now have a dv4030us from HP. This does seem to be a more reliable and sturdy system.

All said and done, I doubt very much if I will ever buy another Toshiba product let alone a laptop.

Toshiba - Toshiba Satellite M45X-S331 15.4" Notebook PC (Intel Pentium M Processor 730 (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD SuperMulti Drive)

Nice for the money, but Tech Support is the pits!

I purchased this notebook for my daughter less than a month ago. She was very happy with it, and I was pleased with what we got for the money. Then the DVD drive began having problems. To make a long story short, after several calls to Toshiba it was finally determined that the drive must be replaced. The closest authorized service center is almost 40 miles away, so we must send it off to Toshiba and be without it for up to 2 weeks. I have dealt with other computer manufacturers who have sent out a technician to correct a problem covered under warranty. Why can't Toshiba do this? Or at least have a few more authorized service providers. I'm not exactly out in the sticks. There are several businesses in my area who could provide this service for Toshiba's customers.
EDIT ON JUNE 6, 2005:
Sent the notebook to Toshiba's service depot on May 24th. Was informed today that it is on hold for parts and that if I'm lucky it'll be finished by June 15th. Toshiba's own repair center doesn't keep their DVD drives in stock? When I asked them this question I was told that they usually do, but they're out of stock now. So someone didn't notice they were getting low on drives and should order some? I'd like to change my rating from 4 stars to 1. While I still think it's a great little computer for the money I don't think it's worth the aggravation we've went through trying to get it fixed and back to us.
EDIT ON JUNE 26, 2005:
On June 15th I was told that the new drive is still on backorder. It has now been over a month since I sent this computer to Toshiba for repair. Supposedly the drive will be in tomorrow and then they will overnight the computer back to me. I'm not holding my breath. In searching on the internet I'm finding that I'm not the only person who has had such a horrible experience with Toshiba. Please, save yourself the frustration that I am going through. Don't buy a Toshiba!!!
EDIT ON JULY 27, 2005:
Well, I was right to not hold my breath. I was told this afternoon that the drive was scheduled to be in by the end of the day. I call back at 6pm eastern time to be told that the drive did not come in, and the new projected date is July 8th. I'm beginning to think that I will never see this computer again. Please, do yourself a big favor. Don't buy a Toshiba!!!

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