Toshiba Satellite R945-P440

The mainstream laptop category , so called because the 14 - inch laptop once dominated the mobile computing , has become a little more fringe of late , as a slimmer , more portable Ultrabooks crop up in the same price . The Toshiba Satellite R945 - P440 ( $ 729.99 list ) is a mainstream laptop with old school , all - day battery life , a full selection of ports and features , and a fine selection of parts . Our only problem with R945 - P440 is that it may be a bit too old - school - design struck us as looking seriously dated .

Design
The design of R945 - P440 uses a trick often seen far cheaper systems , which is to add a texture to plain plastic construction to avoid looking boring , and Toshiba opt for a vertical ribbed pattern in graphite black metal . Unfortunately for the Satellite R945 - P440 , this attempt failed , giving the laptop a decidedly dated look . Large contingent in a polished chrome finish accentuate the only time - warp feeling .

Measuring 0.78 by 4.13 by 9.4 inches ( HWD ) , the Satellite R945 - P440 is almost the same size as the Fujitsu Lifebook LH532 , and is small enough to carry in a regular commute , but heavy enough (£ 4.4) you do not want to , especially with light Ultrabooks on the market for a similar price .

Chiclet keyboard is reasonably comfortable , although it has no key stew Editors' Choice Lenovo IdeaPad Y480 . The spill - resistant design , however , should provide some peace of mind for anyone browsing Facebook while eating lunch . The touchpad , on the other hand , was a disappointment , mottled responsiveness . Separate right and left buttons are covered with the same chrome - finish as favorable , fireplace and coat each time a button is pressed . The touchpad and low-grade stain -prone button is especially frustrating , because they represent one of the main ways of interaction with the system . Just below the mouse button several indicator lights .

The Satellite R945 - P440 is also outfitted with 14 - inch widescreen display , with a 1366 -by - 768 resolution , offering video playback 720p and paired with SRS sound and built - in stereo speaker . Neither particular stands out .