Toshiba or bust.

After a few months of not a lot, and I'm still hunting for a new laptop, currently if I'm going to part with my hard-earned then it looks like a revisit to Toshiba Satellite series.

More specifically the C50 series model which is available in many CPU flavours ranging from 'student' ( read also: "Celeron processor") laptops to quasi-capable desktop alternatives in either AMD or Intel flavour, the one I'm been eyeing up is powered by the Intel i5-4200m which is a capable chip and doesn't break the bank with most offerings at around £500.

 Toshiba c50

Above: notice the non ravine based key layout, no interstate highways between the keys!

some details on this for those that give a damn:

(from : cclonline.com Open-Box C50-A-1M3 )

Product Specifications

• Product Description
• Toshiba Satellite Pro C50-A-1KJ - 15.6" - Core i5 4200M - Windows 7 Pro 64-bit (+Win8.1 Pro) - 4 GB RAM - 500 GB HDD
• System Type
• Notebook
• Operating System
• Windows 7 Pro 64-bit  (+Win8.1 Pro)
• Processor
• Intel Core i5 (4th Gen) 4200M / 2.5 GHz ( 3.1 GHz ) / 3 MB Cache
• Memory
• 4 GB DDR3L
• Storage
• 500 GB HDD / 5400 rpm
• Optical Drive
• DVD SuperMulti
• Display
• 15.6" LED backlight 1366 x 768 / HD
• Graphics
• Intel HD Graphics 4600
• Networking
• 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0 LE , Gigabit Ethernet
• Battery
• Up to 4.5 hours
• Colour
• Matt black with hairline pattern, black keyboard
• Dimensions (WxDxH)
• 38 cm x 24.2 cm x 3.335 cm
• Weight
• 2.3 kg
• Localisation
• United Kingdom

The Key(s) to Success ...

I mentioned before I use a Toshiba currently, and while I'm VERY happy with the keyboard, the laptop is falling behind in capability, now only really any use for internet browsing, word processing and the occasional movie (even the woefully low powered AMD E-350 can spit out fluid 1080p on an external monitor - aka my 42" telly...)

The Toshiba in question is the Satellite Pro C660d which was released more than a few moons ago, And it seems that though all my searching I've come full circle as I'm now looking at the:

- Toshiba Satellite Pro C50-A-1K9
http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Toshiba_Satellite_Pro_C50-A-1K9_Core_i5_6GB_500GB_Windows_7_Pro_Laptop_with_PSCGBE-00U029EN/version.asp

as the image below shows, it sports the same 'flat-bevelled' keys as the one I currently have.

I've found these keys to be comfortable fast and easy to type on, and for what little time I was using my laptop for gaming the keys are responsive with a small amount of travel but tactile enough to type by touch alone.

Every other manufacturer that I've looked at seems not to supply any such 'normal' style keys any more, excluding one model from Dell, in their highly overpriced gaming line - Alienware

So far in the months I've been searching the Toshiba is possibly my only option, but I noted that other than the Satellite range (aimed more at business use) their other laptops all feature the grand-canyon-esque chicklet keys.

Soon, I fear there may simply be no option for me but to forgo use of a laptop and stick with a desktop for my needs, hardly a good solution should I need to be on the move.

The search continues...  

Acer E1 Laptop

My first entry on the list of good laptops...

It's an Acer!

Currently [Jan 2014] available from retailers and e-tailers (such as Ebuyer)
linky : http://www.ebuyer.com/612806-acer-e1-laptop-nx-m09ek-037

It has flat style 'full' keys, very similar to my current laptop,

The only drawback for me... weak CPU looks like this is a 'homework' style laptop, little use for anything but light gaming and social media.