Pics of RAM removal.
Shogmaster happy to be carrying my new purchase. :D
-Ed
First off, I bought the Toshiba Portege 3505 for
First off, I bought the Toshiba Portege 3505 for use with high resolution digital image files in programs such as Photoshop 7 and Painter 7.
If you've never used those programs in that capacity(editing images for websites, don't count) than don't post saying "Dood you don't need that much RAM!"
I bought it at CompUSA.
There is a big contradiction as to the maximum possible RAM in the Toshiba Portege 3500/3505. I have seen listed just about everywhere that the maximum RAM capacity is 1024MB.
But guess what? If you bought a retail 3505 from a B&M store, the maximum possible RAM is 768MB, NOT 1024MB. ***?! You may say, I sure did.
See the evidence below
Exhibit A: Clearly listed on their website is "512MB (x1)". DOes Toshiba Direct sell a different version than the retail?
Exhibit B: According to their PDF, they don't. ***? How the hell do you upgrade to 1024MB? I've never heard of a 768MB SODIMM's. I hope that the 256MB of RAM built into the 3505 isn't soldered onto the mainboard. If it isn't, the only choice is to void the warranty by dissecting the 3505 and swapping out the 256MB SODIMM inside with a 512MB one. Either way, you're throwing away the 256MB (x2) to get 1024MB or RAM.
Either that or spend an assload of money on one 1024MB SODIMM and hope the 3505 supports 1280MB of RAM. I highly doubt it supports a 1024MB SODIMM. So, if you want to upgrade your RAM, buy the cheaper 256MB model, cuz Toshiba is charging $200 for a 256MB SODIMM!!
Exhibit C: Memory specs in WinXP TE, stock, right out of the box. Note that its a bit short of RAM, because the Trident video chipset uses 16 MB of RAM for video.
Exhibit D: Memory specs in WinXP TE, 256MB SODIMM removed.
Exhibit E: The 256MB SODIMM removed from the Memory expansion bay. "Customer Sample" ***?!
Again, I realize that 512MB with a 768MB maximum may be plenty for most people, but graphics professionals will be severely limited by the 768MB maximum. I am an early adopter, and as with all that choose to support early technology, I get repeatedly screwed.
Oh, well. Nice try Toshiba. I will be calling Monday with this major complaint. I will get satisfaction or perhaps a class action lawsuit will arise.
Man, this Tablet PC was almost perfect. Almost. This sucks! I reaaaaally hope I'm wrong.
-Ed
Pics of RAM removal.
Shogmaster happy to be carrying my new purchase. :D
-Ed
I'm pretty sure the specs have always said upgradable to 768, as for the 2 memory modules instead of one, thats pretty crappy of them, you need to buy a 512 to upgrade it completely now.
If you'd carefully compared the PART numbers between the PDF file and the TOSHIBA Direct website, you'd have caught on to the fact that there's a model with 512 and a slot free, and a model with 256 and a slot free, and a model with 512 and no slots free.
PP350U-002GF4 - 256(x1) (website - toshiba direct AND PDF)
PP350U-002LX4 - 512(x1) (website - toshiba direct only)
PP350U-002YXE - 256(x2) (PDF only)
What's the part number on YOUR box?
You can certainly try and take the unit back and order one from Toshiba, but I wouldn't bet on winning any lawsuits. Caveat Emptor and all that jazz
Good point! If he bought it from some noname company they may have just put more memory in a 256meg unit and shipped it to him, what a shaddy buisness practice!
The specs on the CDW site list the 512meg model as:
Memory
Standard RAM: 512MB
RAM Type: 133MHz SDRAM
Maximum RAM: 1GB
And the 256meg model as:
Standard RAM: 256MB
RAM Type: 133MHz SDRAM
Maximum RAM: 1GB
I had presumed that the 256 model did entail throwing out the 256meg simm and replacing it with two 512s. To upgrade the first model I (again presumed) the memory slow would be empty. I'll post what Toshiba actually did when I receive it.
I also won't be thrilled (but in my case could possibly live with it, I run 1gig or more on all of my machines, but for what I envision doing with the tablet 768 might be ok, we'll have to see). I certainly understand the posters concern and need to be able to max this out.
Bill
Ok, checking the CDW 'mfg part no', turns out the 512meg model is 256x2, and the 256 model is 256x1. They don't seem to be carrying the 512x1 model.
Shucks.
Bill
Read my entire post. I didn't buy from a no name. I bought it from CompUSA. There was no evidence of tampering with the Memory Expansion Slot.
I did notice that there is a different part number listed on Toshiba's website. But that still doesn't explain why it isn't listed in their PDF file.
Also, CLEARLY stated in the retail Portege Resource Guide on page 26 is "Maximum capacity 1024MB (1GB)". So, how the hell do I upgrade to 1GB?
Anyone with a Toshiba Portege 3500/3505, please do two things.
1. Check under Windows System Properties (under control panel) to see how much RAM is listed in your machine.
2. Open up your expansion slot cover, gently pull the anti static cover (don't try to pull it out) and see if there is a SODIMM there at all. You don't even have to remove it, unless you are curious like me.
This will tell you whether your Toshiba Portege 3500/3505 has 512MB built in or 256MB built in.
I personally think I got a bum deal, and Toshiba made a really big mistake in publishing their specs. I really hope I got a bum unit. On a special note. CompUSA did sell me the unit that was meant for the display unit (they never got the chance to put it on display.) So, maybe the display unit is different from the others? I doubt it, but one can hope.
I really love this Tablet PC, but I would love it more if I could have 1GB installed in it. It would be perfect that way.
-Ed
My 3505's part number is PP350U-002YXE.quote:Originally posted by TMetzinger
If you'd carefully compared the PART numbers between the PDF file and the TOSHIBA Direct website, you'd have caught on to the fact that there's a model with 512 and a slot free, and a model with 256 and a slot free, and a model with 512 and no slots free.
PP350U-002GF4 - 256(x1) (website - toshiba direct AND PDF)
PP350U-002LX4 - 512(x1) (website - toshiba direct only)
PP350U-002YXE - 256(x2) (PDF only)
What's the part number on YOUR box?
You can certainly try and take the unit back and order one from Toshiba, but I wouldn't bet on winning any lawsuits. Caveat Emptor and all that jazz
BTW, did you know that Toshiba puts a number "5" at the end of their model numbers to indicate the retail B&M versions of their laptops? So it seems to follow that trend. 3500 = Toshiba Direct, 3505 = B&M store.
Yeah, you are absolutely right, Buyer Beware (or more accurately, Early Adopter, beware), but WTF? We can't trust what a manufacturer publishes in their press releases and specs?
Toshiba will treat their early adopters with care, because we are the only ones that keep them in business. After all, how could a company succeed if no one bought their products when they first come out? Duh, always the Chicken before the egg paradox on that one.
-Ed
The moral of the story here seems to be that if you want a Toshiba with 1GB of RAM, (as I do), the way to get it is to go to Toshiba, or be sure and tell your vendor that you want the model with 512MB AND an empty slot:
PP350U-002LX4
This may be how Toshiba intends to lure the real "high-enders" to buy directly from them.
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