Toshiba Satellite U945-S4390 review

Share your digital content on a big-screen TV in full HD resolution with an HDMI port, and amplify your audio experience with stereo speakers featuring SRS Premium Sound 3D audio enhancement technology. Power your smartphone and other devices–even when your Ultrabook is off–with USB Sleep and Charge. You’ll also lighten your load with a slimmer, lighter system featuring a 0.8-inch profile and a 4-pound weight. Note: This Ultrabook does not include an integrated optical disc drive, but you can connect an optional CD/DVD drive via one of its USB ports.

Take Advantage of Windows 8

Be ready to take advantage of the next big revolution in PC computing: Windows 8. The new Start screen has all of the information you care about in one place, such as your contacts, the weather, and the next appointment on your calendar. Start Page is a completely reinvented interface with interactive tiles that remain up-front and center–and they dynamically change and update in real-time. With the power and innovation of your new Windows 8 Toshiba PC, you get apps that are always on and easily accessible from your Start screen. You’ll also get new, built-in apps for the things you do most, like new Microsoft Mail, Calendar, SkyDrive, Photos, People, and Messaging. On your Microsoft 8 Toshiba PC, the Charms bar replaces the Start button, offering quick access to search, sharing features, devices and settings. Enjoy the convenience of seeing everything front and center, right where you need it.

Intel Core i5 Processor

The most popular Intel family member, the visibly smart, 3rd generation Intel Core i5 processor delivers amazing performance and stunning visuals. Enjoy the thrill of an automatic burst of speed when you need it with Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0. Experience your movies, photos and games smoothly and seamlessly with a suite of visual enhancements built into the processor–no extra hardware required.

Intel Wireless Display-Ready

Let your laptop unleash all that multimedia, online entertainment or other content you love onto your big screen TV–without sacrificing quality. Now you can with award-winning Intel Wireless Display technology available on select laptops. Set it up once, then share your screen in a click of a button. Stream videos, photos and music from your hard drive, home network or the Internet straight to your HDTV–easily and wirelessly, enjoying great image clarity and sound while cutting down on cable clutter.

Hybrid Drive Technology

Conventional hard drives store a lot, but could be faster. Solid state drives are fast but could hold more. Now get both. Hybrid drive technology delivers the speed as well as the capacity you want. It includes quick flash storage for open and commonly used files and applications, plus a standard hard drive to store your saved data.

LED-Backlit Keyboard

You and your PC go more places than ever these days. But not all of them have the right illumination. So, the next time the room’s dim–on a plane, in a darkened dorm or the corner of your favorite cafe–keep right on typing, thanks to this Ultrabook’s LED-backlit keyboard.

Touchpad with Multi-Touch Control

Now it’s easier to peruse web pages, work with long documents, and show off photos with the larger touchpad, which supports the new Windows 8 Modern gestures like scrolling and pinch zoom–giving you the freedom and fluidity or movement as of a touch tablet or smartphone.

Super-speed USB 3.0 Port

Your technology collection is getting bigger and faster. Fortunately, your laptop can keep up with the best of them, thanks to built-in USB 3.0 ports. You’ll not only get much quicker transfer speeds, but your USB 3.0 devices won’t require a separate power cable either, unlike eSATA technology.

USB Sleep and Charge

Another Toshiba innovation, USB Sleep and Charge lets you power your smartphone and other devices even when the laptop’s asleep or off. It’s perfect for travelers and gear heads. And it’s a great way to charge a dead device when you carry your PC around.

HDMI Output

With support for Full 1080p HD video and sound, the HDMI connection on your PC lets you enjoy high-end multimedia on the go, or at home on your big screen TV.

Toshiba Resolution+ Video Enhancement Technology

Make older movies, photos and clips look a lot better on your HDTV or HD laptop screen–with Toshiba Resolution+ technology. It’s an exclusive innovation that converts standard definition DVD movies and instantly improves sharpness and color in real time for a picture that looks and feels more like HD. Here’s how it works: Color Correction and RGB Gamma improve brightness, color saturation, contrast and hue. Next, Advanced Color Image fine-tunes environmental and character colors, like sky, grass, leaves and skin, to give these images a more natural appearance.

Key Specifications

– 14inch TruBrite LED-backlit display with 1366 x 768 resolution for native HD 720p viewing – 1.7 GHz Intel Core i5-3317U ultra-low voltage, dual-core processor (2.6 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology; 3 MB L3 cache) – 500 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM) and 32 GB solid state disk cache – 6 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1333 MHz; 16 GB maximum) – Mobile Intel HD integrated graphics for everyday computing with support for Microsoft DirectX 11 games

HD webcam with microphone

Built-in stereo speakers with SRS Premium Sound 3D audio enhancement 4-cell battery Dimensions and Weight: 13.4 x 9.4 x 0.82 inches (WxDxH); 4.1 pounds

Wireless & Networking

– Wireless-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) for ultra-fast connectivity to home and business networks. – Bluetooth 4.0 for connecting to peripherals like a wireless mouse, headset, and more. – Fast Ethernet (10/100)

Connectivity & Expansion

– 2 super-speed USB 3.0 ports (1 with Sleep and Charge capabilities) – 1 standard USB 2.0 port – HDMI audio/video output with support for Full HD 1080p high-definition video. – Multi-format memory card reader compatible with Secure Digital, SDHC, SDXC, miniSD, microSD, Multi Media Card (shared slot; may require adapter for use) – Microphone and headphone jacks

What’s in the Box

This package contains the Toshiba Satellite U945-S4390 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It’s backed by a 1-year limited warranty.

Preloaded Software

Toshiba eco Utility. When it comes to helping the environment, every amp, volt and watt counts. Equipped with the power-saving eco Utility, this laptop helps you use electricity wisely through improved power management. With just a click, you can quickly adjust the settings and power plan of your laptop, and monitor your ongoing power usage.

It also comes with the following software:

Microsoft Office (trial); Internet Explorer 10; Microsoft Essentials; Norton Internet Security 2013 (30-day trial); Norton Online Backup (30-day trial); Norton Anti-Theft (60-day trial); WildTangent Games Console

Environmental Specifications

– Energy Star 5.0 certified – Gold EPEAT designation for meeting standards to help reduce its environmental impact. – RoHS compliant effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances