If you’re looking for a classy notebook, the Toshiba Satellite L40 is worth considering, writes Siti Syameen Md Khalili
PROCESSING power, a large screen and a well-spaced tactile keyboard are some of the most obvious plus factors in a notebook, while the inclusion of a disk drive is always useful.
These days, machines like the new Toshiba Satellite L40 are built to deliver all these and more.
Being an all-rounder that the Satellite name is known for, the L40 has no aims to be thin or light. Yet it is still sleek to look at, with its premium finishing, frameless keyboard design and nicely concealed Super-Multi DVD optical drive. The keyboard is comfortable to use despite the absence of backlighting.
The large clickpad makes it great for one-finger navigating and roomy enough to accommodate multi-gesture commands such as the two-finger scroll. Placed heavy to the left, it feels awkward at first but as you start typing on the keyboard you will find that the placement helps avert accidental rubbing that may trigger unwanted commands.
Powered by Intel Core i5 processor, you can expect the L40 to pack in performance while the latest Windows operating system ensures that computing can start as soon as you unpack the machine and connect it to a power source. Our review unit is also graced with AMD Radeon R7 M260 Graphics that has 2GB dedicated VRAM, making it all set to tackle visual related duties.
Once powered up, a good starting action would be software activation for both the pre-installed OS and anti-virus, on which the review unit has Norton’s solution. The machine comes with WLAN 802.11bgn, so you may quickly sniff out a WiFi signal in your environment and get onto the Internet for more apps and games to go with other Toshiba goodies like PC Health Monitor, Recovery Media Creator and Service Station. For personal area network, Bluetooth connectivity is offered.
The Clear SuperView LED screen tilts back to 135 degrees or so, to give flexible viewing angle and the hinge feels sturdy enough to hold your desired viewing angle. This is especially useful when you are using the onboard camera for video conferencing.
On default setting, the screen delivers crisp colours that are pleasant to the eye. Enhanced with AMD Radeon R7 M260 Graphics, this machine tackles videos and images easily, while games seem smooth and responsive. With a built-in HDMI port, you can even connect the machine to a compatible bigger screen or a projector.
Apart from graphics enhancement, another hardware highlight is the almost obscure Onkyo stereo speakers. Tuned by Skullcandy using the brand’s Supreme Sound audio profile, audio junkies can expect richer sound experience. The speakers are further enhanced with DTS Sound to complete your multimedia experience, from music to movies. The review unit in its default setting does not disappoint even when classical tunes are played.
Content creation activities are also easy and comfortable using the L40. From creating Word documents to picture editing, the machine works well without breaking a sweat. You also have SkyDrive besides the internal storage to keep the files, and internal storage for the L40 has more than 400GB left with the OS preloaded. Meanwhile, shutterbugs can quickly transfer photo files from their SD and Memory Stick memory cards to the machine using the Multi-Card Reader.
Like other mainstream notebooks, the DVD drive onboard means users can watch existing collection of DVD or enjoy favourite music CDs. More importantly, archiving files or creating back-up on disk is made possible, if you are the type that prefers off-line solutions instead of cloud.
In terms of work and play performance, the L40 can deliver tasks such as creating documents, music listening, watching videos from YouTube and editing pictures easily. For a nine-to-five routine, the review unit battery lasted three working days. The 4-cell battery is also configurable to conserve energy via Toshiba Eco Utility as well as support Sleep&Charge technology via its USB port.
Indeed, Toshiba Satellite L40 is perfect for users from students to the occasional road warrior. The review unit, a variant of the model that comes with both high-end graphics and specially tuned audio support, is also decent enough to tackle everyday multimedia tasks.
Toshiba Satellite L40
Price: Starting from RM2,049
Enquiries: http://pc.toshiba-asia.com
Specifications
Dimensions: 344 x 243 x 23mm
Weight: Starting from 2kg
Processor: Intel Core i5-4200U (1.6GHz, up to 2.6GHz)
OS: Windows 8.1
Display: 14-inch HD (1366 x 768) LED screen with Clear SuperView Technology
Communication: WLAN 802.11bgn, Bluetooth 4.0, HD Webcam
Sound: Onkyo Stereo Speakers tuned by Skullcandy, DTS Sound
Battery:4-Cell battery 45Wh,up to 6hours battery life
Our verdict: HHH
Physical design: HHH
Documentation: HHH
User-friendliness: HHHH
Features: HHHH
Performance: HHH
Value for money: HHH