Thursday, June 13, 2013

Toshiba Satellite S955D-S5374 15.6-Inch Laptop (Ice Blue Brushed Aluminum)

Toshiba Satellite S955D-S5374 15.6-Inch Laptop (Ice Blue Brushed Aluminum)

Toshiba Satellite S955D-S5374 15.6-Inch Laptop (Ice Blue Brushed Aluminum)
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Windows 8-powered, 15.6-inch Toshiba Satellite S955D laptop (model S955D-S5374) is a lean, mean, multitasking-media-and-entertainment machine. It puts the power in your hands to master multiple tasks, manage media and enjoy entertainment like never before. Measuring in at less than an inch thin and featuring Toshiba's brushed aluminum cover in Ice Blue, the Satellite S955D is better than ever. Take advantage of its sizable display and large, intuitive touchpad with modern gesture support to navigate the exciting new Windows 8 tiles interface and apps. Step up to a faster, more fluid operating system and more processing power and graphics options--all with tried, true and tested Toshiba innovation.

It's packed with powerful computing resources, including a SuperMulti drive that can burn a plethora of disc formats, and plenty of ports and storage to give you the freedom to expand, or hold more files and media. And thanks to the built-in webcam and Toshiba Face Recognition software on this machine, you'll enjoy a more convenient way to communicate, log on, or share your laptop among the family.

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.

S955 main
The Toshiba Satellite S955D, powered by Windows 8 (see larger image).

 

S955 side detail
Just 1 inch thin (view larger).

 

S955 keyboard
Premium raised keyboard with 10-key pad (view larger).

 

S955 side detail
See larger image.

AMD A8-4555M Quad-Core APU

Optimized for Windows 8, this 2nd-gen, quad-core AMD APU features 256 Radeon Cores 2.0, allowing you to run multiple programs at once without slowing down. Experience HD entertainment with breathtaking visuals on your laptop, edit and share HD photos and videos in record time and enjoy immersive 3D gaming and stunning Blu-ray 3D movies (with optional Blu-ray Disc drive).

It combines a 1.6 GHz CPU (boosted up to 2.4 GHz with AMD Turbo Core Technology) and an AMD Radeon HD 7600G graphics processing unit (GPU) on a single chip, helping to accelerate daily applications while also delivering lower power consumption. The APU can quickly offload demanding tasks and applications from your CPU to the GPU, enabling you to do more with your computer in less time.

Premium Raised-Tile Keyboard

Not all keyboards are created equal. The premium raised-tile keyboard on select laptops sets itself apart because it's handsomely handy. Whether you're doing homework, writing a letter or updating your social status, it makes typing more comfortable.

S955 finish
Brushed aluminum finish in Ice Blue.

 

S955 speakers
Chambered stereo speakers with SRS Premium HD audio enhancement.

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.

 

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 ports
  • HDMI audio/video output with support for Full HD 1080p high-definition video.
  • VGA video output (analog, RGB)
  • 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
S955 ports
See larger image.

What's in the Box

This package contains the Toshiba Satellite S955D-S5374 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It's backed by a 1-year limited warranty.

S955 cover
Ice Blue Brushed Aluminum finish (view larger).

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

Learn more about Toshiba's environmental commitment.

Toshiba Accessories

 

Dynadock U3.0
Toshiba Dynadock U3.0 Universal USB Connect Docking Station

Toshiba's Dynadock U3.0 universal USB connect docking station links all your electronic devices to your laptop--peripherals, external monitor, and sound system--with just a single USB 3.0 cable. It includes six USB ports (four USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0), Gigabit Ethernet port, mic and headphone jacks, HDMI output, and a DVI video output--plus support for dual displays.

 

Canvio Hard Drive
Toshiba Canvio Plus USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drives

Available in a number of capacities, Toshiba's Canvio USB 3.0 portable external hard drives are designed to be the most hassle-free back-up solution. With everything you need right in the box, they are the ultimate combination of storage, convenience, and style.

 

USB Mobile LCD Monitor
Toshiba 14-inch USB Mobile LCD Monitor

Unpack the Toshiba 14-inch USB Mobile LCD Monitor and you'll get a big 14 diagonal inches of instant screen "real estate"—brought to you in brilliant 1366 x 768 HD resolution. Under three pounds and less than one inch thick, this ultra-portable monitor is designed to fit in most standard laptop bags. It also comes with a dual-purpose custom-fitted carrying case.

 

Extreme Backpack
Toshiba Extreme Backpack

Versatile, lightweight, and durable, the Toshiba Extreme Backpack offers five separate compartments--including a padded compartment that protects laptops with a screen up to 15.6 inches. It also includes a music player pouch with ear bud access.

 

Bluetooth mouse
Toshiba Bluetooth Laser Mouse

The stylish, wireless Toshiba Bluetooth Laser Mouse gives you precise cursor movement, offering a convenient scroll wheel, battery saving features, and selectable DPI. Work comfortably all day whether you're right-handed or left-handed with the balanced and weighted design.

 

Power adapter
Toshiba AC Adapter

A second AC adapter at home and/or at work makes power access convenient and tailored to your needs. Also keep one in your carrying case at all times and never be without an AC adapter when you travel.


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Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful.
4It's okay
By Curiosity Cat
I wanted a new laptop - my old one is 9 years old and still going strong but the graphics were starting to lack on gaming.
This laptop was a good deal for the price. (I got it for $499 fulfilled by Amazon and now price has changed.)

Pros:

-It runs very cool - I've left it on for days and the only warm spot I feel on it is near the exhaust fan.
-The built in speakers are pretty good. It comes with SRS Premium Sound which is nice with a bit of tweaking - the bass default makes it sound like it's underwater.
-I have not had any issues with it dropping the wireless connection.
-No issues with it networking to other systems in the house (including 2 XP and one Win7 box)
-I've done some gaming on it and it performs well.
-Touchpad is big and responsive

Cons:
-The LED lights on the front are a bit too bright.
-The keyboard drops or repeats keystrokes despite tweaking (this seems to be a common issue with Toshiba keyboards)
-Boots very slow from a restart (well over a minute), but boots in less than 40 seconds from a shutdown.
-Came with too much bloatware (not surprising)
-When I purchased this, it listed in the description that it came with Win8 Pro which it did not, it's just Win8 basic.
-Does not come with any manuals or recovery disks. The manual is built-in and can be found online which is okay. Recovery can be obtained for 'free' from Toshiba for $40 shipping and handling.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful.
4Knocking off a star for crapware, Toshiba :(
By T. Pritchett
Lots of crapware, Toshiba. Not appreciated. Why are WildTangent games "system apps" that are nearly iimpossible to uninstall (not in Add/Remove Programs! I used Revo Uninstaller to find that these "games" were "system drivers", which is tricky of you, Toshiba!). I got the WildTangent games forcibly removed (msg me to find out how), but it was an unpleasant experience. Worth the effort, though, since WIldTangent now includes whoppers like World of Warcraft!!

Warning: do not try to uninstall the Toshiba Driver for Windows Media Player, even though WMP isn't included in Win 8, because I somehow lost my wifi and got a Blue Screen of Death after doing so. I had to run System Restore and reinstall this (seemingly useless) driver to get my Wifi working again (and I still have to clear out the system dump files from all the errors and BSODs during this process). I mean, *painful* uninstall of crapware.

Otherwise, this seems like a 5-star laptop, esp for the price. It's slim and lightweight, yet still runs work applications impressively (I'm running Photoshop and Office apps simultaneously; and have compiled VC++ without lag, as well).

Packaged nicely; quick boot; and has Office pre-installed, so type in your Office key and you're up and running in short order.

I like it. Needs debloating, but even if you didn't debloat, the only thing you really *need* to remove is the PC Health Monitor (Desktop system tray; useless; monitors your battery; takes up memory). At least that's easy to remove (not tricky like WIldTangent!): Add/Remove programs. You don't need most of the Toshiba utilities, in fact, but keep the Toshiba App Installer so you can reinstall whatever you might miss.

Keep the "Desktop Assist" program around until you get used to Win 8 and the Toshiba utilities. I don't use the media apps included (iTunes and VLC freeware does fine for me), but the Keyboard and Mouse utilities, specifically for this Toshiba, are essential since the Function keys are defaulted to "media controls"... no no no. F5 should be "refresh", not "turn mouse off". But "Desktop Assist" made that easy to figure out and fix.

Don't use IE; download anything else and make it the default browser, because the Win8 version of IE has no ad blocker. (Talk about seeing the internet in a new way! UGH!) The Win8 apps will automatically use the desktop browser once you do that.

I won't trash Win 8 here: it's not bad once you get used to it, but the Win 8 apps don't share well at all with Win 7 applications. If you use One Note, the Win 8 app (not pre-installed) has a beautiful interface, but it doesn't work like One Note 2010. At all. I ended up putting my notebooks (5+ years worth) on SkyDrive so my desktop app, Win8 app, and mobile would all work together well.

Speakers are great. (And trust: use that Desk Assist program to change the Function keys back to function keys, and Fn+Function Keys to turn the volume up and down. The sound card needs the Fn 9 and Fn 10 keys to really get this laptop rocking, but the speakers are great for such a thin laptop. (If you just use the built in Windows Mixer, the speakers won't get it as loud.)

Feels like an older Protege; plays video beautifully; edits video without lag if you're not multitasking. Definitely worth twice the money imo. Win 8 is awkward, but the Toshiba Desktop Assist really helps you get acclimated. (My desktop looks like Win 7 now; everything works fine; I've gotten used to Win 8 apps, too.)

Seriously, Toshiba: get rid of the crapware. That's why this 5-star laptop has only 4 stars.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
5Great PC
By Diana M. Lappin
Toshiba has always been reliable in the PCs and this one doesn't defer from the path. It's a great PC. Windows 8 is a bit of getting used to and I don't see that all the bugs are out of it. However, that's not Toshiba... that's Windows.


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