Features:

• Ultra-portable 4-pound notebook PC with 13.3-inch LCD with 1.3-megapixel webcam built into the LCD's bezel
• 1.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 dual-core processor, 160 GB hard drive, 2 GB RAM (4 GB max), dual-layer DVD drive
• Quad-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n); 10/100 Ethernet; Intel GMA x3100 graphics (up to 251 MB of available memory)
• Connectivity: 3 USB, 1 FireWire, 1 VGA, 1 S-Video, 1 ExpressCard 34/54. 5-in-1 memory card reader
• Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities)

Editor Reviews:

Product Description:
The Satellite U305 laptop places high value performance on the design you want to buy. Featuring a dazzling 13.3-inch diagonal widescreen WXGA display with stunning TruBrite technology, get more from your views in a compact laptop. It doesn't get much more portable than this, at just 4.6 pounds the Satellite U305 is ergonomically and sleekly redesigned, the chassis features an integrated hinge design for flexible screen adjustment and smooth, clean lines. This laptop delivers a host of features including wireless connectivity, DVD SuperMulti drive, and Webcam for entertainment to go. With the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor enjoy superior speeds in every application you choose to run. 13.3 diagonal WXGA 1280 x 800 TruBrite TFT LCD Display Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 with up to 251MB shared video memory Built-in Webcam and microphone SuperMulti DVD+-R/RW Drive with Double Layer Support Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11ABG 10/100 Ethernet 5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter - MMC, SD, MS, MS Pro, xD 1 ExpressCard Slot (34/54 Slot) 3 x USB 2.0, Headphone out; Microphone-in, VGA, IEEE-1394, RJ-11 (Modem), RJ-45 Approximate Unit Dimensions - 12.2 (W) x 8.94 (D) x 1.33 (H) Approximate Unit Weight - 4.54lbs

Amazon.com Product Description:
Weighing just 4.6 pounds, the ultra-portable Toshiba Satellite U305-S2804 notebook PC packs in an extraordinary amount of power and productivity into its elegant, compact package. The 13.3-inch widescreen display offers TruBrite technology for optimal image clarity and a 1280 x 800 resolution for extra desktop working space and a widescreen aspect ratio for watching letterboxed DVDs. It's powered by the 1.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 processor, which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance, as well as excellent battery management.

A 1.3 megapixel digital web camera built into the LCD's bezel lets you quickly snap photos and participate in live video chats. Other features include a 160 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), 802.11b/g wireless connectivity, Intel GMA X3100 with up to 251 MB of shared video RAM, dual-layer DVD±RW drive, and 5-in-1 memory card reader. Additionally, this Toshiba notebook is RoHS-compatible, effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances.

It comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

• Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 processor has a 1.66 GHz processor speed, fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

  With two computational execution cores in a single processor, it provides greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized for multitasking and is ready to support the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. Some of the advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include:

  • Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth to provide data to the processor when and where it is needed.
  • Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.
  • Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core to help save power.
  • Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during periods of inactivity to lower CPU voltage.

• Hard Drive: The 160 GB hard drive (5400 RPM) offers enough to room to hold a digital audio library of over 26,000 songs and still have room left over for movies, games, and a large collection of software. This Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.

• Memory: The 2 GB of installed RAM (2 x 1024 MB DDR2) will satisfy many users, but this notebook's two DIMM slots have a maximum 4 GB RAM capacity--perfect for high-end video editing and 3-D gaming. It also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed. To receive the faster data transfer benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed.

• DVD/CD Drive: The dual-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data--great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x DVD+R DL, 4x DVD-R DL, 8x for both single-layer DVD+R/-R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 5x DVD-RAM, and 24x/16x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.

• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 85-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad. It also offers a launch button for the Express CD/DVD media player and control buttons (play, stop, next, previous) as well as a volume control dial.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with this notebook's integrated quad-mode Wi-Fi chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and wi-fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great for closed office environments). It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54/34 card slot (though no PCMCIA card slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. Here's the full list of connection options:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 ExpressCard 54/34 slot
• Video out: VGA
• Stereo headphones/speakers/line-out; microphone/line-in
• 5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card)
• 10/100 Fast Ethernet
• 56K modem (V.90)

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit version) is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Microsoft Works 9.0, Google Desktop and Picasa, Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5, McAfee Internet Security Suite (30-day trial), and Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (60-day trial).

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 12.2 x 8.9 x 1.33 inches and weighs 4.6 pounds.

Power
It comes with a 5200 mAH lithium-ion battery pack for extra-long battery life.

What's in the Box
This package contains the U305-S2804 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.

Rating : - A good buy
I just bought this computer (for 750 at Office Depot) and have been happy so far. I chose it over HP models because I have had bad experiences with HP and HP customer service in the past (why don't they send recovery disks with their products!?) and have heard good things about Toshiba from computer repair people (who had seen comparatively more Dell and HP computers coming in).

The keyboard does flex noticeably more than other brands, but it doesn't bother me at all when I am typing.

I do not know if this is a Toshiba or Vista issue, but my DVD/CD drive could not be found (Code 39). This was fixed by deleting a couple of files in the registry (sites online explain how to do it). I was not very happy about that problem, but again, it may not be Toshiba specific.

The blue LED lights on the computer annoy me (the word "Satellite" and power indicators), but the addition of extraneous bright lights to the computer seems to be a fad now, because other brands have them too. If anyone from a computer manufacturer is reading this, esp. if they are from Toshiba or HP, please give us a way to turn them off!

Considering its relatively small size and low price, I think this computer was a good buy.

Please note that I have not had this computer long. Because computers go out of date so quickly, and there were not many reviews for this computer on the Internet, I wanted to write a quick review now.