Beside Satellite A300 and P300 notebook series, Toshiba also released on market redesigned Satellite L series. We will introduce you with all novelties through testing of model Toshiba Satellite L300-11G. L series didn’t experience that much cosmetic changes like new A and P series did. We could even say that Satellite L300 is less “fancy” than its predecessor. Some of us will count that as big plus because L300 has above all “neutral” design.

Dark blue color of cover was replaced with gray matte surface so that fingerprints are almost invisible. Beside cover, palm pad is also gray while the keyboard is black. Design of plastic on speakers is also changed: now it is matte instead of shiny black. Beside new looks, speakers are repositioned. On previous models they were in front and now they are relocated above keyboard. This was the good decision because with previous location you could have typing problems because your hand was placed over the speakers and that resulted with partially muffled sound. Regardless on simple design (nonexistence of any additional keys and small amount of connectors) Toshiba Satellite L300 seems very ascetic. Even though design won’t leave you speechless we are pretty much certain that you won’t find parts on this model that could irritate you, at least from esthetic point of view. So, we could say that Toshiba bet on safe card with this one.

When you take L300 in hand it leaves impression of firmness. If we used word toughness we will mislead you and you could think that L300 has a construction in class of more expensive notebooks. Case is not bending under pressure, but it is obvious that used materials are little bit cheaper. Still, when we look at the price and class of device, quality is more than satisfactory.

You could say by packaging that this is basic model. Beside manual and power adapter you won’t get anything more. Satellite L300-11G is selling without operating system and manufacturer doesn’t provide you with any drivers. Unless distributor provides you with CD with drivers (which happened in our case) you are doomed with large amount of download. Fortunately, you can find drivers even for Windows XP (XP is much appropriate for L300 than Vista) on Toshiba’s official site. There is option in BIOS so you can install XP without acrobatics with drivers for SATA controller.

Cooling solution is nice designed, so notebook didn’t warm too much in these hot summer days. A bit warmer zones are on bottom side and you can feel that if you hold L300 in your lap, but part where you rest your palms (palmrest) is cold. Besides all this, Toshiba Satellite L300-11G is pretty silent. Performances are average and Dual Core processor represents much better solution from Celeron. Battery has modest capacity and autonomy isn’t that impressive. Integrated web camera doesn’t provide picture quality as we expected (too much color noise). Display is, for this class, very good, so is the keyboard. Keyboard doesn’t have tendency to bending when is pressed but its keys are a little bit stiffer when they are pressed. Keyboard doesn’t have enough softness that should provide us with comfort during long typing sessions. For average user this isn’t that much of a problem. Touchpad enables precise cursor control and appropriate keys are a bit nosier than we are used to. 

Equipment of this notebook is in direct correlation with its whole concept. Two USB ports on left side are one above the other and if you have thicker device (some older USB flash drive) it will block the other port. Maybe Bluetooth isn’t necessary but card reader would be nice to have. On front side is placed volume button and wireless switch.