Toshiba Satellite P755-1001X – A Multimedia Workhorse

A Multimedia Workhorse

Recently, two types of notebooks have been getting all the attention: the super slim and light Ultrabooks, and the extremely powerful desktop replacement gaming machines (both of which will set you back a hefty amount of cash). But while many lust after one (or both), the majority of notebook users will actually end up purchasing a more sensible option: the humble multimedia notebook - affordable, reasonably portable, with enough power for most applications, and even some light to moderate gaming.

Toshiba’s Satellite P755 is one of the latest of these multimedia notebooks, equipped with a 15.6-inch display, quad-core Intel i7-2630QM (2.0GHz) processor, NVIDIA GT 540M graphics module with 2GB VRAM, 8GB DDR3 SDRAM and a 640GB SATA HDD. Other features include a backlit keyboard, lighted trackpad, and audio speakers by Harmon Kardon. Intrigued? Let's take a look inside.

Fingerprint Repellent

In line with the rest of Toshiba’s lineup, the Satellite P755 features a raised striated line design over its exterior. It's an interesting look, somewhat reminiscent of wood grain. One thing it does really well is keep fingerprints off - in fact, it's 100% fingerprint proof. The finish on this model is called Premier Metallic Black, but don’t be fooled, ‘Metallic’ or not, the entire notebook is plastic construction. On the plus side, the black finish actually looks much better than the grey/red combo we saw on the Qosmio X770. Then again, everything generally looks better in black.

The striated lines pattern continues inside, over the wrist rest and track pad. Users who prefer a textured feel for the track pad will enjoy using the P755, and we also found that the straight lines design was a handy guide for applications where you want to draw or select something (if you've ever tried drawing a straight line in Microsoft Paint with a mouse, you'll know what we mean). 

While the chiclet keyboard won’t win any prizes for style (Toshiba has opted for the most utilitarian of keyboard shapes: the square) the keys themselves are functionally designed, with a bright backlight and ample space between each key. Both the number pad and directional keys are also full-sized, with lots of space between them. Typing experience is average, but neither is it bad. The key travel distance on the flat keys left us wanting a bit more (though your preferences might vary) while other gripes might be the short space bar and the small arrow keys set.

Above the keyboard you’ll find a simple strip of lighted media controls. Wireless settings can also be turned on and off from this panel.

Speakers for audio are found at the top right and left corners of the keyboard. The speaker design isn’t integrated into the machine like on many other notebooks, instead sitting in a cut out, flush with the unit.

Benchmarking and Performance

How does the P755 stack up against other multimedia notebooks? We pitted it against Samsung’s RF511 (an updated version of the reviewed RF510), which has the same Core i7 processor and GPU, as well as HP’s Pavilion dv6, which has the same processor, but utilizes ATI's Mobility Radeon HD 6770 graphics module.

PCMark Vantage

In our PCMark Vantage test, the P755 was outperformed by the Pavilion dv6, due in part to its slightly inferior graphics engine. However, compared to the Samsung RF511, which is running mostly the same configuration (the P755 has more RAM), the P755 outperformed it in more tests.

3DMark06

Our 3DMark06 test showed the difference between the different GPUs used, with the dv6’s Radeon HD 6770, which is positioned slightly higher in AMD’s range, posting a better result here.The P755 and Samsung RF511, both of which are using the more mainstream NVIDIA GT 540M with 2GB VRAM, scored similar results (within 10 points of each other) as expected.

Far Cry 2

Our gaming benchmark illustrates the actual user experience for each machine. Running Far Cry 2, the P755 scored well, achieving the best score under Medium settings, and actually beating the dv6’s superior graphics card. At medium settings, frame rates were smooth, easily maintaining an above 70 FPS average.

On Very High settings, the P755 averaged 45 FPS, which was more than playable. In gameplay areas with lots of fire or foliage on the screen, the P755 dipped down to a minimum FPS of 32, still above the acceptable 30 FPS for most gamers. It also held its own against the dv6, surprisingly showing only negligible differences in performance between the two machines.

Battery Performance

With their built-in optical drives and generous screen size, multimedia notebooks seem like the perfect choice for watching DVDs on your long haul airplane flight. But of course, they have to have the battery life to back it up. There’s nothing worse than getting most of the way through your Michael Bay flick, only for your battery to die when you’re a mere 20 to 30 explosions from the end.

How did the P755 fare? Unfortunately the low 48Wh capacity 6-cell Li-ion battery was not as good as the other models. Samsung’s RF511 uses a similar 48Wh capacity battery, and uses the same quad-core processor, and was able to last an extra 27 minutes. The P755 sputtered out at just 1 hour 46 minutes which, granted, is enough to finish most Hollywood blockbusters these days, but you’ll definitely want to leave the Lord of the Rings box set at home. When dissecting the cause for Toshiba's slightly underwhelming battery life, the higher than expected power consumption was the key culprit here.

Portability Index

At 2.60kg, the P755 is a middleweight notebook - for a multimedia class at least. Just picking it up, it feels light and small enough that you could carry it around in a messenger bag or backpack, but it's probably not something you want lugging around all day. But if you've been spoiled by the light weight of the new Ultrabooks coming in these days, you're not going to enjoy carrying multimedia notebooks. However, that's a different class of notebooks altogether and you can't get the processing power nor the large screen size of multimedia notebooks like the Toshiba Satellite P755.  In comparison to our other models of its class, the P755 is slightly lighter than the HP Pavilion dv6, which weighs 2.63kg, and has the same weight as the Samsung RF511. However, our Portability Index factors in a unit’s battery life as well as weight, and the P755’s poor battery life again caused it to score lower than the other two models.

Conclusion

There’s a lot to like about the Toshiba Satellite P755, it’s not the flashiest or most stylish notebook out there, but it gets the job done. Well-designed utilitarian features such as the backlit keyboard and lighted track pad make working in low light easier. The striated lines design is certainly unique, and keeps the notebook looking new for longer as it hides those unsightly fingerprints, smudges and scratches really well. Performance wise, it has enough power for most applications, and moderate gaming is possible too – again we appreciated the backlit keyboard and lighted track pad here. While we certainly prefer aluminum based build, there’s actually nothing wrong with the P755’s plastic body. Despite the plastic, it’s solid and sturdy. All in, the P755 is a workhorse machine: it's got everything you need, and nothing you don't.

The only real drawback we had against the P755 was its poor battery life, which would have otherwise pushed it higher in its ranking as a utilitarian multimedia workhorse. Keyboard design could have been a little better too. Otherwise, there's nothing really wrong with it and it's actually one of the more reasonably price machines too. With a S$1399 price tag, that puts it at the lower end of the price range for a 15.6-inch, quad-core equipped machine. If you’re not planning on watching long movies, or doing a lot of gaming on the go, this is a no-nonsense workhorse multimedia machine to consider checking it out.

There are of course notebooks with better value out in the market via lower prices, better performance or more features. So despite its reasonable price, this notebook's not getting a high value rating from us.

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