Toshiba Satellite E105-S1402

The Toshiba Satellite E105 is any indication, the answer is yes. The 14.1 inch laptop costs just $1,099, yet offers a full selection of features, a two year warranty, and 4 hours of battery life. The biggest caveat with the Satellite E105 applies to casual gamers only the laptop's integrated graphics, while sufficient for basic computing, won't have enough oomph for even basic 3D games. If you like to unwind with a few rounds of a first person shooter or other game, you'll be better served by the 13.3 inch HP Pavilion dv3510nr, which also sports Best Buy's Blue Label.

Specification

• Price $1,099
• Processor 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400
• Memory 4GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz
• Hard drive 320GB at 5,400rpm
• Chipset Intel GM45 Express
• Graphics Intel GMA 4500MHD
• Operating system Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit)
• Dimensions (WDH) 13.4 x 9.7 x 1.2 inches
• Screen size (diagonal) 14.1 inches
• System weight / Weight with AC adapter 5.1 / 6 pounds
• Category thin and light
  

The Toshiba Satellite E105 hardly looks like other Satellites. Instead of a glossy black case, the laptop features a subdued gray and copper color scheme (the copper is far more muted than the fiery HP Pavilion dv6985se). The E105 is also boxier than other Satellites, bypassing tapered edges in favor of a rectangular shape. What the Satellite E105 does have in common with its corporate siblings the "Fusion" finish, which embeds a subtle pattern in this case, pin stripes and narrow lined curves into the lid, keyboard deck, and even the touch pad.

Perhaps because of its boxy shape, the Satellite E105 feels solid and ready to take the bumps and knocks of everyday use. We're impressed that, even with the standard eight cell battery, the E105's weight is lighter than not only the 15.4 inch laptops that dominate the marketplace but also other 14 inch systems, such as the Gateway T-6330u.

In fact the Satellite E105 weighs just 0.2 pound more than Best Buy's other Blue Label laptop, the HP Pavilion dv3510nr, which has a smaller, 13.3 inch screen and smaller, six cell battery. The 14.1 inch wide screen display on the Satellite E105 features a typical 1,280x800 native resolution. Its glossy finish does produce some reflections, but overall it strikes a comfortable balance for the full range of home computer use, from surfing the Web to watching movies.

(Because this is a fixed configuration for sale in retail stores, there is no matte screen finish option.) A Webcam and built in microphone for video chats sit above the screen. The keyboard, too, proved comfortable for typing everything from a URL to a lengthy email we appreciate the keyboard's backlighting, which is handy for use in dark environments.

While the touch pad is adequately sized, the mouse buttons are a bit small, because of the fingerprint reader squeezed between them. A row of LED light touch buttons to the right of the keyboard provide easy access to basic media playback and volume controls.