Toshiba Satellite NB15t-A1304

If you are in the market for a cheap laptop , the Toshiba Satellite NB15t - A1304 ( $ 379.99 list ) may be caught your eye . While low price is attractive , and features such as a touch screen and full selection of ports is certainly attractive , do not forget the old saying " you get what you pay for. " It is a common caveat when discussing low prices on the PC , but it bears repeating - the lower the price is often achieved by cutting corners , and the compromises made ​​to bring down the price of Satellite NB15t - A1304 could not seem more such a bargain .

design
The small laptop with a 11.6 - inch touch screen , a 10- finger touch - better than the five- finger tracking offered to other laptops in this price range , but it only offers 1366 - by- 768 resolution , which is a little disappointing . It does, however , offer an ability to touch - display , perfect for use with Windows 8.1 , in its various control actions and tiles app . While we saw some other touch screen range - the Acer Chromebook price C720P - 2600 and Asus Transformer Book T100TA ( 64GB ) hereby mind - most laptops in this category are non - touch anyway.

The NB15t - A1304 is sized for use on the go , measuring only 0.99 by 11.20 by 8.20 inches ( HWD ) , and weighs just 3.3 pounds . While correct light to grab and go , it is a fair bit heavier than other lower priced competitors , such as Asus T100TA ( 2.4 pounds with the docking keyboard ) , or our two favorite Chromebook , Acer C720P - 2600 ( 2.8 pounds ) and HP still Chromebook 11 (£ 2.3) .

The NB15t - A1304 retained the low cost plastic construction and Toshiba opt for a vertical ribbed pattern silvery gray . While it does not feel as luxurious as polycarbonate plastic or as durable as magnesium - HP Chromebook frame 11 , the plastic chassis of NB15t - A1304 is still surprisingly solid . There are some noticeable flexing when you lift the laptop by the corner , but almost nothing as you type .

Featuring the NB15t - A1304 A compact chiclet - style keyboards , you feel a little cramped , thanks to the smaller size of the laptop . The key travel is very shallow , but the keys have a comfortable matte finish and are well spaced , so less of a problem than it might be . The small touchpad does its job fairly well , although the right and left mouse buttons are a bit stiff .

Two stereo speakers on the underside of the laptop provide the sound , but only at lower volumes , and lower quality . When tested in " Silent Shout " by the Knife , the bass was almost silent , as in " Little Wing " by Jimi Hendrix , tinny speaker added unpleasant distortion and buzz amazing guitar Hendrix 's work .