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Toshiba Satellite C55-B C55-B5296 15.6" LED (TruBrite) Notebook - Intel Celeron N2830 2.16 GHz - 4 GB RAM - 500 GB HDD - Windows 8.1 PSCMLU-03701M

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#1 ·
Toshiba Satellite C55-B C55-B5296 15.6" LED (TruBrite) Notebook - Intel Celeron N2830 2.16 GHz - 4 GB RAM - 500 GB HDD - Windows 8.1 PSCMLU-03701M

Description:
Toshiba Satellite C55-B C55-B5296 15.6" LED Intel N2830 - 4 GB RAM - Windows 8.1

Details:
DetailValue
BindingPersonal Computers
BrandToshiba
EAN0846830072011
FeatureToshiba Satellite C55-B C55-B5296 15.6" LED Intel N2830 - 4 GB RAM - Windows 8.1
LabelToshiba
ManufacturerToshiba
ModelPSCMLU-03701M
MPNPSCMLU-03701M
PublisherToshiba
StudioToshiba
TitleToshiba Satellite C55-B C55-B5296 15.6" LED (TruBrite) Notebook - Intel Celeron N2830 2.16 GHz - 4 GB RAM - 500 GB HDD - Windows 8.1 PSCMLU-03701M
UPC846830072011
Item Height1.05 inches
Item Length14.96 inches
Item Width10.24 inches
Package Height1.05 inches
Package Length14.96 inches
Package Weight4.85 pounds
Package Width10.24 inches
PackageQuantity1
PartNumberPSCMLU-03701M
ProductGroupPersonal Computer
ProductTypeNameNOTEBOOK_COMPUTER
UPCList - UPCListElement846830072011
Item Weight4.85 pounds
OperatingSystemWindows 8
 

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#2 ·
Despite being a cheap laptop, it can offer decent usability for everyday use

review by skye12977

I purchased this laptop used as a temporary laptop to use until I was able to get ahold of a higher performing laptop.
When I purchased the laptop it only had a 16gb SSD storage drive and was plagued with random freezes.

*This is not a chrome book*
*I bought this Laptop used with a 16gb SSD and a bad Wifi adapter*
Day 1 I removed the 16gb SSD and replaced it with a larger 240gb SSD.
-16gb storage isn't nearly enough for Windows or really any other files for that matter.
I googled problems relating to this laptop, the C55-B5296, and figure out that the problem was with the Wifi adapter itself.
-Simply removing the ground to the Wifi adapter fixed all freezes and slowness with the laptop altogether.
I did a fresh install of Windows 8 (as the laptop came with) then upgraded to windows 10.

I'd rate the laptop at 3.75 stars out of 5 with and SSD
An SSD should partially improve the overall feel and slightly improve the battery life (assumingly a negligible amount).
3.5 stars out of 5 if it had a HDD
Although a HDD would increase storage, I wouldn't take a 5400rpm drive over an SSD.

A 7200rpm drive or 60-64gb SSD would be somewhere in the middle.
Hard-drives wont be as fast and such a small SSD wouldn't allow you to do much without external storage

Specs of Actual laptop that I'm reviewing:
15.6" LED 1366 x 768 display
Intel Celeron N2830 2.16 GHz
4 GB RAM

500 GB HDD 240gb Crucial m5 SSD
Windows 8.1 Windows 10 64 bit
Internal Wifi Adapter TP-link TL-WN722N USB dongle

When I originally got this laptop I didn't expect to use it for much more than Internet browsing, College work and Youtube videos.
But of course I still wanted to see what more I could throw at this laptop, and I was pleasantly surprised.
I'm able to watch 720p movies via VLC player as well as play League of Legends at 1366x768 at med-high settings at 30 fps.

In the next few weeks I'm going to try more 720p movies as well as one of the Blu-ray movies I have.
I'm also going to try more League matches to confirm which settings will keep a constant 30fps or note settings that rarely dip below 28-29 FPS.
On top of trying more movies, higher quality movies, and consistent frame rates on League, I will attempt more less CPU intensive games that will be stable at 30 fps.


Good:
Assuming you can find a laptop like this used it's great for home use as well as very light gaming.
Very low power consumption: This laptop will be able to run for hours.
Decently thin design and decently light; this laptop can brought around and moved easily. Great if you don't want to deal with heavier laptops or if you've not got the room in your backpack.
The storage is upgradable with a 2.5-inch storage device.
Upgradable memory, honestly tempting to upgrade to 8gb if I decide to keep it, I would just have to make sure it was compatible
Able to play 720p videos.

Bad:
Buying this laptop for anything over 225$ just isn't worth it, especially if it's not equipped with an SSD or storage of at least 120gb.
My laptop came with a defective Wifi adapter; I'd like to see if just replacing the Wifi adapter will fix this problem or if there are more problems past this.
The laptop frame/chassis is entirely plastic. This makes the laptop much less appeasing and makes this laptop prone to damage much easier overall.

Current assessment of 8-21-16
The laptop is decent, but nothing that will blow you away.
An i3 or newer generation Celeron Processor should be able to out due this laptop all around.
If you find a comparable laptop or better with a 240-256gb ssd for around 225$ I'd say it would be worth it.

Update of 8-21=5-16
I did another fresh install of Windows 10 64-bit I made on another laptop
The wireless adapter seems to be working now
*Please note, the ground wire is still not plugged in
I'm assuming the windows install included the driver for the other laptop... but I'm not complaining.... but I am confused
I'd like to try a 32-bit install if possible, may help performance out a bit

ProsCons
Price, Low power consumption, Slim Design, Light Gaming, 720p VideosPlastic body/Chassis, Toshiba Brand, (YMMV) Bad Wifi Adapter

Ratings
Overall4
 
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