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By combining its immersive 3D screen and strong graphics performance with staggering Intel Core i7 power and comprehensive features, the Toshiba Satellite A665-11Z is a great, mid-sized home media centre. Its slightly flawed usability and lack of full 1080p support is unfortunate, as are its low battery life and the inherent limitations of its Nvidia 3D Vision technology, but they do little to restrict the enjoyment of this otherwise stylish and well-made multimedia machine.
While the best 3D laptop you can currently buy remains the Asus G51JX, the Toshiba Satellite A665-11Z is a more than worthy rival and is very easy to recommend.
We liked
Nvidia's 3D Vision is still the vanguard of current 3D technology and the immersive 3D entertainment of the Toshiba Satellite A665-11Z is stunning. Whether gaming or watching movies, it adds a new depth to your enjoyment that is truly hard to beat.
Offering staggering power and features, the Toshiba Satellite A665-11Z is a great laptop to future-proof yourself against the years ahead. Packed with cutting-edge technology, this is a machine that delivers fantastic performance and will continue to do so for years to come.
When viewed without the 3D glasses, the Toshiba Satellite A665-11Z's vibrant 15.6-inch screen is stunning. Strong brightness combines with striking contrast and natural colours to bring photos and videos to vivid life, making this an extremely capable home media centre.
We disliked
For a machine so clearly marketed for gaming and enjoying high-definition content, the low 720p screen resolution is unfortunate. This is exacerbated by the inclusion of a Blu-ray drive, as the Satellite A665-11Z's screen doesn't have the pixels to enjoy the full benefits of HD.
While the Toshiba Satellite A665-11Z's keyboard is generally great to use, the temperamental spacebar can sometimes make touch-typing a chore. While it may only have been a quirk of our review sample, we'd recommend you be sure to try the keyboard in-store before buying.
Running for less than two hours, the Toshiba Satellite A665-11Z's battery performance is truly awful. Dropping to an inexcusable 75 minutes when watching a DVD, you'd be lucky to get an hour's use when watching a Blu-ray movie, making this a laptop intended solely for home use.
Verdict
Despite various flaws in usability and mobility, the Toshiba Satellite A665-11Z's impressive combination of power and features makes it a great choice as a semi-portable home media centre. Whether you want to enjoy the latest 3D games and movies, enjoy cutting-edge, quad-core performance, or future-proof yourself for the years ahead, there is something for everyone here, making the Satellite A665-11Z a laptop that's very easy to like.
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