First off, I bought the Toshiba Portege 3505 for

**Edwood** · 11-10-2002, 07:15 AM

quote:Originally posted by TMetzinger

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.

No, the moral to the story is that if Toshiba keep loyal customers, they should not print and advertise false claims about their products.

I WILL get 1GB of RAM in this Portege without paying additional money except for the cost of buying a single 512MB SODIMM, one way or the other. I do not simply spend a lot of money on a product, get less than what was advertised, and throw my arms up and say, "Oh, well. Please herd me to the slaughter. Baaa-aaa-aaa-aah".

-Ed

**KhakiBoy** · 11-10-2002, 07:58 AM

quote: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 highly doubt it. I can't speak for CompUSA since I work at Best Buy, but the units we have on display are the same as what is sold. We simply grab one of the boxes, open it up, and put it on display.

quote: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?

Actually, I think it's more the numbers after the model (ie 002LX4). Afterall, the 3505 can be purchased through Toshiba as well as at a B&M.

Update:On the other hand, you may be right. It does state on Toshiba's site that very fact (at least for satellites). Also, if you look at the detailed specs, the warrenty on the 3505 is only 1 year vs. 3 years for the 3500! Seems like Toshiba prefers you buy directly from them and gives you a longer warrenty and better memory configuration in return.

**bsobel** · 11-10-2002, 08:25 AM

> 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.

I think you might have hit on a key there, the presumption has been posted that the 'initial' memory is soldered onboard and not in a sodimm slot.

In the pictures posted, is the other 256dimm under the green spacer that appears in the photo? (e.g. can someone confirm WHERE the initial 256meg is, and if it indeed is soldered or socketed)

Bill

**KhakiBoy** · 11-10-2002, 08:48 AM

quote:So, if you want to upgrade your RAM, buy the cheaper 256MB model, cuz Toshiba is charging $200 for a 256MB SODIMM!!

Excellent point! I did wonder if the 512MB model came with 1 512MB or 2 256MB chips. It didn't occur to me about the max amount it can take and how that would determine if it did have 1 512MB built-in. Is the 256MB model being offered at B&M stores? In our system I was only able to find the 3505 with 512MB.

Here's another interesting question. What configuration do you get if you order it direct from Toshiba THROUGH a B&M store? At Best Buy we have the "Computer Creation Station" where you can configure your system and have it built to your specification by the manufacturer, then shipped directly to you. Sometimes I've noticed models on there that can't be configured (other than adding a bag, extra battery, etc). So bascially what you get through the CTO is the same configuration off the shelf. The question is, if I was to order it through CTO would it have 1 512MB or 2 256MB by default? Hopefully it will allow you to configure it and then select 1 512MB. I might try ordering mine that way just to see what I get.

**bsobel** · 11-10-2002, 09:34 AM

> So, if you want to upgrade your RAM, buy the cheaper 256MB model, cuz Toshiba is charging $200 for a 256MB SODIMM!!

Actually (at least at CDW), they are charging the difference for the 256mb sodimm and the external DVD drive (the 256 model is listed without the drive)

Bill

**KhakiBoy** · 11-10-2002, 10:23 AM

Well I can't speak for CDW, but direct fro Toshiba includes a FREE DVD drive and buying one from Comp you get a form to send in for a FREE DVD drive. So that shouldn't be factored into the price. Therefor, it is a $200 upgrade for a 256MB SODIMM.

**Edwood** · 11-10-2002, 10:49 AM

There's a free mail in offer for that Targus Cardbus DVD rom drive. It's in the packaging along with the user manual.

Even if Toshiba offers a different Memory configuration (although they do not really state that there is a difference other than the warranty terms) this still does not address the simple fact that in the user manual and website states, "Upgradable to 1024MB."

Need I beat that horse carcass some more?

I'm calling Toshiba first thing Monday (unless they're closed for Veterans Day, I'm sure as hell working.) I'm also taking a trip to CompUSA to bitch about this.

Again, anyone with a 3500/3505, please take a looksy to see if there is a SODIMM inside the memory expansion bay. You need to do nothing more that unscrew ONE screw and pull the cover off. You don't need to touch anything else. Just see if there's anything there. This will not void your warranty. Just make sure to remove your battery first.

-Ed

**bsobel** · 11-10-2002, 11:39 AM

> Need I beat that horse carcass some more?

No, but I suspect you will.

We have yet to determine how the 'onboard' memory is configured, if it is indeed in a socket then the unit will be upgradeable to 1024meg. Worse case (if that is true) is that Toshiba screwed up and stated that 1 512 would come instead of 2 256's. Fair chance they might even be willing to 'fix' that be swaping the chips.

But I'm, for whatever it's worth (probably not much), getting annoyed by your attitude and treatment of the other forum members who are trying to help. So far today you've:

Blow this out of proportion into a 'scandal'.
Jumped over another user for repeating basically what you said.
Suggested a class action lawsuit against toshiba
Pointed out how you weren't going to stand for this like us other sheep (or was it lambs?).

And the best one, admitted that you planned on breaking your unit purposely in order to return it for a newer model (btw, thats fraud, not something most people brag about.

Bill

**bsobel** · 11-10-2002, 11:53 AM

From PcConnection:

"256MB PC133 SDRAM, expandable to 1GB There are two slots. One is occupied by a removable 256MB module and the other is available."

So, if true, the unit IS exandable to 1gb, you just need to replace both SODIMMs.

Bill

**Shogmaster** · 11-10-2002, 01:18 PM

I'm gonna have to slap the both of you for over-reacting. :-P

Ed, there is good possibility that the first DIMM is removeable. Which means like I mentioned before that the issue here is that Toshiba is to be blaimed for not making things clear on their site about the exact configuration of the retail model is, basically, over charging you for the additional 256MB DIMM that you didn't want in the first place in the retail model.

They should have made which model comes with which RAM config VERY CLEAR instead of this cloak and dagger crap on their site for those people for whom the 1GB of max RAM is a big attraction for their model and they definitely should make good on that in some way, but we haven't even checked physically if the first DIMM is soldered on or not. Let's check that FIRST.

Bill, you are over-reating to his over-reacting. Yeah, he did mis-read jstigall's post and balked at him for no reason, but you are pretty much doing what he's doing. No where does he say in this thread that he's going to commit fraud to get a new model, nor did he point to us as being sheep or lambs for taking it.

He's just pissed at the fact that they've mis-led them, which is quite an understandable thing when you spend your hard earned money on an expensive item like this.