Toshiba Satellite Pro U200 gives users ultra mobility at a price that's right 

Over the years, here at CPU3D, we've brought you exclusive reviews on all the latest PC hardware including memory modules, ATX cases, motherboards, graphics cards, processors and coolers. Now it's time to gradually include some consumer electronics in our reviews. Things like notebooks, PDAs, mobile phones, bluetooth devices and other gadgets.

In this review we will be taking a look at the Toshiba Satellite Pro U200 notebook (model no: PLUA1E-01800JEN). It's classed as an ultra mobile notebook, with full functionality. Weighing in at only 1.86Kg, it has a dimension of 299 x 225 x 34 mm, which makes it one of the most portable notebooks available on th market. This notebook offers an ideal blend of performance portability and security. It's Toshiba's latest ultra portable notebook, designed for people on the move.

There are several models available, the highest spec model include a T7200 (2GHz) processsor with 2Gb of ram, along with a larger 120Gb hard drive. For more details you can visit Toshiba's website. The model which will be looking at, features an Intel mobile Core 2 Duo T5500 processor running at 1.66GHz. It operates on a FSB of 667Mhz and it's equipped with 512Mb of DDR2-533 ram. This little notebook is packed with features, and comes with 60Gb SATA hard drive, x8 DVD+/-RW DL multi drive, 12.1" Wdie screen WXGA LCD display and superb connectivity via wireless/LAN/bluebooth/modem.

One of the main features of this notebook includes the biometric fingerprint reader, which adds security for piece of mind. Weighing in at only 1.86Kg, it's light weight yet it offers full functionality of a standard PC.

In the past, notebooks have always been a "toy"  for the rich. But nowadays, with technology being widely available to everyone, it's actually driving the cost of technology down at all levels. An average notebook use to cost between £800-£1,200 ... 4-5 years ago. But now, you can get one for £299 ... in fact Dell, amongst others are competing heavily to capture this market.

I can see a lot of consumers gradually shifting over to notebooks ... the desktop PC is just too cumbersome for most. PCs are good for the enthusiasts and gamers, but when you just want to surf the web, check emails or IM your buddies, a notebook would be a better choice. It's small, quieter, portable, uses less power and it's an all-in-one solution.

Some say notebooks are very limited when it comes to expansion. That's true to a certain extent. However, what we use the notebook for ... is subject to the user himself/herself. Someone who just want to surf the web, check emails or IM their buddies, will not need any extra upgrades as such. But for business user or a high performance/multimedia professional, then a suitable notebook with expansion capabilities would be better suited.

Most notebooks will have an expansion slot for extra memory, some have a removeable cover to upgrade the hard drive. The processor is usually fixed, but for high-end notebooks, there's sometimes an option to upgrade the processor as well.

The Toshiba Satellite Pro U200 has 2 expansion slots for memory (one occupied), protected by a removeable cover, located underneath the keyboard. There's also a removeable cover to upgrade to a bigger hard drive.

OK, let's not waste any more time and check out the specifications of the Toshiba Satellite Pro U200 ...