Toshiba Satellite C55-B5201 Extremely Cheap Laptop PC

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The Toshiba Satellite C55-B5201 is a laptop model for those on a tight budget. It’s actually one of the cheapest Windows-based laptop PCs on the market, with a current price of only $230. This 15.6-incher has low computing performance as the main trade-off. Toshiba has included the very basic Intel Celeron N2830 processor in the C55-B5201. It’s good only for the least intensive computing tasks like web surf, social networking, text and spreadsheet editing, and multimedia playback. The good thing is the average consumers use their laptops exactly for these purposes. 4GB of system memory is provided for seamless multitasking (as far as the CPU allows it) and there’s an ordinary-sized 500GB hard disk for storing files. The incorporated Intel HD integrated graphics can run decently only simple games.

Toshiba’s C55-B5201 doesn’t lack any of the important mainstream laptop features. It does have a built-in DVD burner, stereo speakers, a web camera, three USB ports, VGA and HDMI video connectors, Wi-Fi and Ethernet LAN network connections, and a media card reader.

The machine sports a non-backlit keyboard with large keys and a dedicated numeric pad. It’s accompanied by a trackpad with mechanical buttons instead of integrated. Touchscreen functionality isn’t supported. As expected, the notebook has a mediocre 1366×768-pixel display resolution and IPS technology for wider viewing angles is missing. That’s however normal for a budget notebook, since models with Full HD and IPS are about three times or more pricier.

Design-wise, the C55 is a prime example of a low-cost laptop. It’s made of plastics and sports somewhat bland but clean look. The 1.1″ thickness of the chassis and overall weight of about 4.9 pounds make the C55-B5201 quite portable for a 15.6-incher. It however isn’t a travel companion by no means and is meant to be used at home, in dorm rooms and similar most of the time.

Toshiba hasn’t provided info on battery life, but judging from the specs one can expect autonomy of approximately up to five hours with light work involved.

Regarding alternatives, you can check out the Asus X551MAV-RCLN06, which is almost identical to the C55-B5201 in terms of specifications and features and currently has the same price. The only important difference appears to be their industrial design. Of course, there are numerous more expensive laptops on the market. If you’re worried about low CPU performance of the Celeron, you can take a look at some a bit pricier but considerably faster systems with the Intel Pentium processor, while $450 will give you access to the powerful Intel Core i5 with potential for video and professional photo editing and with much better integrated graphics.

Toshiba Satellite C55-B5201

Toshiba Satellite C55-B5201 Lid

Specifications of the Toshiba Satellite C55-B5201

Here are the specs of the Toshiba Satellite C55-B5201 with descriptions of its features. For comparison against other laptops, you can use the "Compare Specs" button.

Brand Toshiba
Screen Size 15.6-inch

This is by far the most popular laptop screen size. It provides a lot of screen real estate, while avoiding bulkiness of the 17.3" laptops.
Screen Resolution 1366x768 pixels HD

This is an entry-level screen resolution, oftentimes found on budget laptops. It doesn't deliver picture sharpness and space on the screen like the Full HD or higher resolution laptop displays do.
Touchscreen No

This laptop doesn't support touchscreen input.
Other Display Specs TN type

Displays based on the old TN technology lack wide viewing angles you can find on IPS screens. The colors may look washed out or inverted at certain viewing angles.
Processor (CPU) Intel Celeron N2830 dual-core 2.16-2.41GHz 1MB cache (User Benchmark CPU score: 12)
Graphics (GPU) Intel HD integrated graphics of low-end CPUs (only for the lightest gaming)
System Memory (RAM) Size 4GB RAM

4GB is a small RAM size for computing in 2023. For smooth operation of a laptop during everyday tasks, at least 8GB is recommended.
Data Storage 500GB HDD

This is a very good capacity, but HDD is a slow type of storage.
DVD Optical Drive DVD writer
Keyboard & Input Non-backlit keyboard with dedicated number pad

The keyboard has a separate numeric pad on the right side of the keyboard, but it has no keyboard backlight.

Touchpad with separate physical click buttons

The touchpad features physical left and right click buttons, as opposed to click buttons integrated into the touchpad surface.
Speakers & Audio Stereo speakers

As usual, the device features a pair of built-in stereo speakers.
Camera Front-facing web camera

Laptops usually feature a frontal webcam located on the display bezel. This laptop is no exception.
Wi-Fi Wireless 802.11N

802.11N is an old Wi-Fi standard, precursor of the 802.11AC and the latest 802.11AX with improved data transfer speeds and connectivity. 802.11N is rarely used in modern laptops.
Ethernet Network Port Yes

This laptop has an Ethernet LAN port for wired internet and networking connectivity.
Bluetooth No

This laptop has no built-in Bluetooth module.
Mobile broadband (4G LTE) No
USB Ports 2 x USB 2.0 + 1 x USB 3.0

A total of three full-size Type A USB ports.
Video Output Ports 1 x HDMI + 1 x VGA

HDMI is a widely used digital video output port. You can find HDMI-in ports on most computer monitors and TVs. VGA is an old analog type of video connectivity used on older computers, monitors, TVs, and projectors.
Media Card Reader SD card reader

The laptop has a slot for full-size SD memory cards, used in many digital cameras. You can also use microSD cards with a card adapter.
Battery 4-cell lithium-ion 32Whr
Weight 4.9 pounds
Height 1.1"
Width 15"
Depth 10.2"
Windows Version Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 is eligible for free upgrade to Windows 10 Home. Check Windows.com for more info.
Warranty 1-year

A typical laptop warranty.

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User Reviews and Q&A on the Toshiba Satellite C55-B5201

Below you can read and submit user reviews, questions, and answers about the laptop. Thank you for your contribution.

Current rating: 3.67 out of 5 stars
  1. Question

    Joni

    My Toshiba laptop is locked. How do I unlock it?

  2. 4 out of 5

    Walter Musielak

    Not bad for the price. My wife’s first laptop, she liked it but time to pass it on to the grand kid and get another Toshiba for her. This time I got her a 2 in 1.

  3. 3 out of 5

    Ryan

    It was a good laptop model but after a while I begin having Ethernet connection problems that seemed unable to be repaired by downloading drivers for it but overall it was a fairly good laptop

  4. 4 out of 5

    Chris

    For a cheap laptop it is decent.I am happy with it.Was happy to find out after i got it,it had Windows 8.1 not Windows 8.

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