The Satellite U200 is a wonderful portable lightweight (subnotebook or ultraportable) of 12.1 inches. We can accompany everywhere and convinces its robustness (homes in magnesium) and its weight only 1.9kg. To improve safety the laptop is equipped with a shock-save hard drive, which protects the disc in case of "sbatecchiamenti" various and possible:), and a fingerprint reader

Homes

The case of Toshiba U200ci seems robust and compact. This is thanks to its simple design and substantial. Despite the simplicity and linearity of shapes there are no sharp edges so as to make it uncomfortable to use.

The colors chosen make portable and elegant first class. The anthracite coating magnesium was covered with gray plastic parts that surround the keyboard. The color of the inside of the display is almost identical to the color of the base while outside the screen has been protected by the magnesium-gray steel.

The colors chosen to blend harmoniously the quality of materials is good. At the bottom there are several holes for ventilation favors. We noticed that some parts move under pressure (especially in the area at the DVD player). However, the overall rigidity of both the basic screen us convinced.

The hinges are arranged in reverse order as in the MacBook Pro . Using this system the rear must be no doors. The battery is, however, on the back. This implies that can be removed only when the display is closed.

Both hinges are sturdy and have a good system behavior when the screen position - their strength is close to mastered;).
There they are swinging it-I do not see any effect (see-saw) it sounds when you change the position of the monitor. Furthermore, the Toshiba U200 has a central lock that holds the monitor securely closed during transportation.

Furthermore, we found only a protruding part on the bottom of the notebook protection at the hard disk. This protective part has been called by Toshiba HDD Dome. In practice redistributes the forces acting on it real edges preserving the integrity of the disc. Moreover, the disc has a S YSTEM protection against impacts in three dimensions. The head is moved in the retracted position to prevent loss of data in response to shocks.

Most of the interfaces are located on the left and right side of the case. On the front there is only one Firewire port and two audio ports (headphone and microphone). Although space is limited to the left and right, Toshiba has tried to place the ports that are used permanently near the back. For example, food, network port, two USB ports and video output. Only the audio ports, in our opinion, are best positioned to location if someone wanted to use an external system.

At the Satellite U200's front side are the Firewire port and the audio ports (headset, microphone)

Left side: power connector, LAN, fan, Kensington lock, USB 2.0, Modem PCCard slot

Back side: Because of the reversely attached hinges, the back side is free of ports

Right side: volume control, Cardreader, WLan switch, VGA-Out, 2xUSB 2.0

Input Devices

Despite the small size of the Toshiba's U200 has a full keyboard, thanks to its structure where the numeric keys and cursor keys are a little separated from the rest of the keys. The number keys have a standard size and the enter key is quite small (only extends to a line). Likewise the spacebar is rather small.

While typing you can feel a discontinuous pressure and a possible downturn of the keyboard. This does not create major problems when using an impact although it is a little on the overall image of the product.

Moreover, the U200 comes with a touch pad that leaps to the eye for its small size. This substitute for a mouse only measures 5x3.7 cm. As if this were not enough is recessed about 2mm in houses, so during use, it continues to come up against the edges. Both the touch pad buttons are relatively small, but are easy to use once you're able to crush them.

Forgetting the anomalies described above, the touch pad works well: fast and accurate in pointing in the reactions. Despite its small size was a function of horizontal and vertical scroll (lower right corner).

The Toshiba U200 is also equipped with a fingerprint reader. Above the keyboard are buttons for controlling media players.

On the right side of the case we find a volume control and a switch for WLAN.

Touch Pad

Keyboard

Display

Color diagram

For a better visual experience Toshiba has incorporated a 12.1-inch diagonal screen TruBrite ™ Widescreen XGA (1280x800).
Our measurements revealed a maximum brightness of 186.7cd / m² (measured in the center of the screen). The lighting is also relatively good with 80.8%.

150.8
cd / m² 169.4
cd / m² 160.6
cd / m²
162.0
cd / m² 186.7
cd / m² 162.9
cd / m²
170.5
cd / m² 172.3
cd / m² 153.8
cd / m²

Informations
Maximum:
186.7 cd / m²
Average:
165.4 cd / m²
Black:
1.5 cd / m²
Contrast:
124:1

Brightness

Black has a value of 1.5cd / m² (relatively high). This value corresponds to minimum brightness. Therefore, the rapposto contrast is only 124:1. The laptop scored a 6 in the test for readability Pixperan (also taking into account the average result of his reaction)

Operation Outdoors

The glossy display is limited by the use in outdoor environments. However, it is lumionoso enough to make the content readable but working outside is not exactly a pleasant experience.

The stability is not to reinforce the "strength" of the Toshiba U200. Even a slightly acute angle makes the screen brighter or darker. Eventually, one can find patterns in negative terms. In contrast, the horizontal zone of operation is sufficient.

Performance

Considering that this is a subnotebook ( ultra portable ), the Satellite U200 is well equipped with a Core 2 Duo T5500 and Intel GMA 950 graphics card. everyday applications like internet, office and DVD playback should not have problems in the future. The motherboard gives some guarantees for the future could extend up to 4GB RAM could also easily work with applications such as Vista eats memory.

Is not really suitable for gaming GMA 950 graphics card is good only for games with a little dated and not many claims 3D.

The tax 100GB disk is average regarding transfer rates and access times.

More information about the video card can be found in our comparison of graphics cards. Detailed information about the Core 2 Duo CPU to find here .

Benchmark Comparison 3DMark

Benchmark Comparison PCMark

3D Mark01
6379 points
3D Mark03
1504 points

3D Mark05
556 points
3D Mark06
140 points

3DMark06 SM2.0 Score: 64 points, HDR/SM3.0 Score: - points, CPU Score: 1417 points
3DMark06 in comparison
Asus X51R Notebook Review (min) 71
...
Review Sony Vaio VGN-TX5XN Notebook 112
Toshiba Satellite L100-120 Notebook Review 119
Review Toshiba Satellite U200-196 140
Review Dell Latitude 131L Notebook 224
HP Compaq 6710b: Review 411
...
HP Compaq 8710p: Review (max) 4781

PCMark04
4898 points
PCMark05
3130 points

PCMark05 in comparison
Review Sony Vaio VGN-TX5XN Notebook (min) 1423
...
Toshiba Satellite L100-120 Notebook Review 2924
BenQ Joybook S31 Notebook Review 2951
Review Toshiba Satellite U200-196 3130
Lenovo 3000 V100 Notebook Review 3168
Dell Latitude D820 Notebook Review 3173
...
Review Asus G1S Notebook (max) 5568
Quake 3 Arena

The average results of the timedemo demo1 Were 123.5 frames per second (fps)

HD Tune:
Toshiba MK1032GSX Benchmark
Transfer Rate Minimum: 12.4 MB / sec
Transfer Rate Maximum: 34.5 MB / sec
Transfer Rate Average: 27.4 MB / sec
Access Time: 17.6 ms
Burst Rate: 62.9 MB / sec
CPU Usage: 4.4%

Emissions

Noise Emissions

Noisiness

The fan remains deattiva idle but also, for example, when surfing the Internet. The only thing you can hear is the hard drive that achieves a 34.6dB noise in idle mode. We can certainly say that it is a silent laptop.

If you use the software Toshiba Power Saver and select the "full performance", the fan is activated immediately and runs non-stop with a noise that is around 39.1dB. The maximum noise level of 46.2dB is measured.

When playing a DVD the noise reached only 36.9dB.

Noisiness

Idle 34.6 / 34.6 / 39.1 dB
HDD 36.0 dB
DVD 36.9 dB
Load 39.1 / 46.2 dB

30 dB
Silent 40 dB
audibles 50 dB
Loud
Key: min: , Med: , Max:

Temperatures

With regard to surface temperatures of the Satellite U200 is excellent. Neither the bottom nor at the front temperatures reach too high. The maximum temperature measured is only 31.9 ° C. These low temperatures were obtained through the c ase magnesium with numerous holes for ventilation and the application of concepts of good aeration.

Temperatures on the top

Ball of hand max.: 28.2 Celsius

Top max.: 30.8 Celsius

Average: 29.4 Celsius

Hotspot:

Temperatures on the bottom

Bottom max.: 31.9 Celsius

Average: 30.6 Celsius

Hotspot:

Room Temperature: 22.5 Celsius

Speakers

The Toshiba laptop comes with speakers that have a metallic sound with no bass.

Battery longevity

The test battery longevity has given excellent results. They range from a minimum of two hours at full load up to over three hours surfing the Internet through WLAN.
It reaches a maximum of 4.5 hours setting the computer to save energy.

Energy demands

Idle mode, min. brightness, no WLAN: 13.7 Watt
+ Max. brightness: 19.3 Watt
+ WLAN: 20.3 Watt
Full load (+ WLAN, max. Brightness): max. 45.2 Watts

Battery runtime

Idle (without WLAN, min brightness) 4h 40min
Surfing with WLAN 2h 30min
DVD 2h 55min
Load (maximum brightness) 1hr 45min

Conclusions

Toshiba Satellite U200-196

The Toshiba Satellite U200-196 is not only a feast for the eyes but also convinces us to use high quality materials and excellent workmanship. Its strength increases and safer mobility

Only two aspects can be criticized: the keyboard (which bends while typing) and screen.

While the screen has achieved good results in bright lighting and the other has disappointed about the low value of maximum contrast and limited vertical area of work.

The provision for an ultralight notebook should not be overlooked thanks to the Toshiba Intel Core 2 Duo provides enough computing power for everyday applications.

A strength of this laptop are the low emissions.

We say that battery life is sufficient or good. Realistically it takes between two and four hours depends on the use made of it.

Summing possimo say that the Toshiba Satellite U200 is a top subnotebook.