Most people would think that hybrid laptops, also known as convertibles, would stick to a very strict category of entry-level machines with lower components to be able to fit all the parts in a portable and flexible package. Well, apparently, those people would be wrong.
The reality is much more varied in options and sizes, fortunately. This time we have the review of the Toshiba Satellite Fusion 15 L55W-C5357, which happens to be one of such convertibles that break the notion of low-powered machines. Let’s see what Toshiba has for us.
Pros: Full HD IPS display, Intel Core i5 processor, backlit keyboard, 8GB of RAM.
Cons: Mechanical hard drive instead of SSD.
In depth review of the Toshiba Satellite Fusion 15 L55W-C5357
Eye-catcher on both design and display
One of the first thing to notice about the Satellite 15 L55W-C5357 is its design, almost golden color, which is definitely an eye-catcher. Another pleasant addition is the backlit keyboard, an immensely useful feature that unfortunately tends to be absent at this price range.
All of this comes in a 15.6 inch package, ideal for media consumption and extended work sessions, and the display itself offers everything we want: 1080p resolution, IPS technology for accurate reproduction from all viewing angles and, of course, multi-touch function that will surely be very helpful when using the laptop as a standing screen or even a gigantic tablet; all thanks to the several positions you can choose to use.
Solid performer every step of the way
We can say right off the bat that the Toshiba Satellite Fusion 15 L55W-C5357 offers very solid performance, and we’ll tell you why. The first part is that it comes with an Intel Core i5-6200 from the latest Skylake generation.
This is a low-voltage chip with two cores clocked at 2.3 GHz (2.8 with turbo) that will strike a great balance between performance and things like heat and battery life. It will perform admirably with tasks like web browsing and office work, and even heavier applications too.
Multitasking won’t be an issue either thanks to the 8 GB of RAM included (DDR3L, 1600 MHz), the modern standard that will help you run several programs at a time without having to worry too much about constant loading.
Light gaming is in order
The absence of a dedicated graphics card is a downer for some, but even though Nvidia is certainly missed most of the time, integrated graphics have come a long way these last couple of years. The Intel Graphics 520 included here won’t play The Witcher 3, for example, but other titles should be playable on low settings.
What’s best, lighters games like Minecraft and 2D classics and indies will run smoothly, so what we can say is that while gaming is not the focus here, it’s at least possible and even enjoyable in some cases.
Standard Battery life
Toshiba includes a 3-cell battery with the Satellite Fusion 15 L55W-C5357 that professional reviews online estimate will get you up to 5 hours of light use. If you have heavier sessions though, that should get you a little more than 3 hours. So, in conclusion, an average performance.
Connectivity and storage
The Satellite Fusion 15 L55W-C5357 in review comes with three USB ports in total: one 2.0, and two 3.0. Of those last two, one has an always-on feature that makes it perfect for charging other gadgets even when the laptop is turned off. There’s also an HDMI port, audio combo jack and a memory card reader.
Storage sits on the conventional side with a 1TB mechanical hard drive (5400 RPM). It doesn’t have the best reading speeds, but it will still be helpful for those looking to store lots and lots of data. The 1TB themselves are very straightforward, after all.
Final words
At the beginning of the review of the Toshiba Satellite Fusion 15 L55W-C5357 we asked: does this laptop break the mold for convertibles? The answers is yes. While more powerful hybrids definitely exist, this mid-range offer from toshiba proves that the category is as varied as conventional models.
If you’re in a budget but don’t want to sacrifice too much performance, Toshiba has a very compelling product here. You can’t beat the Core i5 processor and the screen, after all. So don’t be afraid to jump in and check out pricing and availability.