Toshiba Satellite T130

All of them, however, come with Windows Home Premium in its 64-bit incarnation and Toshiba gets a thumbs-up for that. Incidentally, Toshiba also offers the Satellite Pro T130, which matches the Satellite T130's spec with the exception of an extra gig of Ram on some models and the inclusion of 64-bit Windows 7 Professional across the range.

The keyboard's fine to use, spoiled only by the ill-advised paint job Toshiba has given it

And for coming up with what is a very attractive look. The T130 sports chrome-look trim which extends to the touchpad buttons at the front, and a carbon-fibre like texture beneath smooth gloss that's rather fetching when done up in black. That's applied the to the lid and wrist rest areas/keyboard surround, but the base is a sober matte black.

It's good to see the T130 doesn't suffer from 'where the heck is the touchpad' syndrome, which afflicts the T110. Here, the widescreen aspect ratio pad has a vaguely rough texture to mark out its extent and is ever so slightly recessed. It's good to use, especially since you don't have to look at it to do so.

The keyboard, though, is another matter. It's reasonably firm of footing and not at all unpleasant to type on, but Toshiba has chosen to paint it silk black and then dab on the characters in grey. The upshot is that if you glance at it from a certain angle the reflected light entirely matches the colour of the letters so you can't see what they are. That's the Pro model - the 'amateur' Satellite uses bright white paint for the characters.

Specification for machine as reviewed
Other range members have different specifications