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MagyarToshiba Satellite W30t-A-101 Convertible Review Update
For the original German review, see here.
The Satellite W30t-A-101 is the Intel version of the Toshiba-Convertible. Already months ago the AMD version Satellite W30Dt-A-100 (AMD A4-1200, Radeon HD 8180) was tested. The Convertible could not score more than a “Satisfactory” (71%). One reason for the poor rating is the weak AMD APU. The W30t is equipped with a significantly more powerful Haswell processor, which is supposed to lead to a better result. Our review will show whether that is the case.
A competitor of the Satellite is the HP Split 13-m010dx x2 (Core i3-3229Y, HD Graphics 4000). The device that we tested is equipped with an Ivy-bridge-processor. By now, most of the HP-devices can be bought with a Haswell processor, such as the HP Split 13-m115sg (Core i5-4200Y, HD Graphics 4200) which costs 800 Euros (~$1092).
Since the Satellite W30t-A-101 is identical to the Satellite W30Dt-A-100, we are not going to address casing, equipment, input devices and speakers. Corresponding information can be found in the review of the W30Dt.
Display
The display surprises: even though the same panel as for the Satellite W30Dt-A-100 is used, the W30t-A-101 version has completely different measured values. The brightness of 240.8 cd/m², for example, is significantly lower than its related version (308.1 cd/m²). In terms of contrast (641:1) and black level (0.39 cd/m²), however, it performs much better than the AMD version (292:1; 1.06 cd/m²).
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Brightness Distribution: 84 %
Center on Battery: 211 cd/m²
Contrast: 641:1 (Black: 0.39 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 4.27 | 0.55-29.43 Ø5.2
ΔE Greyscale 2.87 | 0.57-98 Ø5.4
38.5% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
41.89% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
60.8% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
40.52% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.3
While the displays of the W30t and the W30Dt differ in terms of brightness, contrast and black level, they show identical color accuracy. On delivery, the average DeltaE 2000 deviation of the W30t display is 4.27 (target: DeltaE smaller than 3). The display does not show any sign of blue cast.
Due to the IPS panel, the display can be read from all positions. Outdoor use is indeed possible. However, very bright environments should be avoided, and the display has to be positioned in such a way that no reflections appear.
Performance
For people who cannot decide between tablet and notebook, the Satellite W30t offers a good compromise. The Toshiba Convertible has significantly more processing power and graphics performance than the AMD. The Convertible costs 800 Euros (~$1092), whereas the AMD version, namely the W30Dt-A-100, is currently available for 600 Euros (~$819).
Processor
The Satellite is equipped with an Intel Core i3-4020Y processor. This Haswell CPU has two cores and can treat four threads simultaneously. The operating speed is 1.5 GHz. There is no turbo. With a TDP value of 11.5 Watts, the processor belongs to the economical representatives of its class. The full computing capabilities of the CPU are only available on AC power, which is shown by the results of the Cinebench benchmarks. When running only on battery power, the tests are only processed with a speed of 600 MHz.
System Performance
The device works very smoothly. The results of the PC Mark Benchmarks are also positive. In direct comparison with the AMD variant, the Satellite clearly wins; it is equipped with a significantly more powerful processor.
| PCMark Vantage Result | 4225 points | |
| PCMark 7 Score | 2399 points | |
| PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 2044 points | |
| PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 1810 points | |
| PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 2516 points | |
Help | ||
Storage Devices
The device is equipped with a Western Digital hard disk. It uses the same version as used in the Satellite W30Dt-A-100. The hard disk has a capacity of 500 GB and works at 5,400 rpm. CrystalDiskMark shows a reading speed of 106.2 MB/s. HD Tune provides an average transfer rate of 83 MB/s (this is average for a 5,400 hard disk).
Graphics Card
The Intel HD Graphics 4200 graphics core supports DirectX11 and works with speeds between 200 and 850 MHz. The GPU of the this Satellite clearly outperforms the AMD version.
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 828 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 34297 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 3449 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Score | 512 points | |
Help | ||
Gaming Performance
The CPU-GPU combination of the Satellite is capable of playing computer games smoothly – at low resolution and quality settings. If a game has no high requirements on the hardware, higher settings can be chosen. This is the case, for example, with Counter-Strike: GO. Games that are designed for the Windows Metro interface do not cause any problems in general.
| low | med. | high | ultra | |
| World of Warcraft (2005) | 64.6 | 53.4 | ||
| Trackmania Nations Forever (2008) | 130 | 43.9 | ||
| Dirt 3 (2011) | 67.8 | 34.1 | 20.4 | |
| Medal of Honor: Warfighter (2012) | 22.9 | 15.1 | ||
| Far Cry 3 (2012) | 26.2 | 16.5 | ||
| Tomb Raider (2013) | 44.4 | 22.4 | 12.8 | |
| StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm (2013) | 109.2 | 38.8 | 22.7 | |
| GRID 2 (2013) | 51.1 | 25.7 | 17.9 | |
| Need for Speed: Rivals (2013) | 14.1 | |||
| X-Plane 10.25 (2013) | 26.2 | 13.9 | ||
| Thief (2014) | 14 | 5.3 | ||
| The Elder Scrolls Online (2014) | 43.1 | 23.4 | 15 | |
| Wolfenstein: The New Order (2014) | 27.2 | 21.9 |
Emissions
System Noise
Unlike the W30Dt, the Convertible is equipped with a fan. Excessive noise is not noticeable. While idling, almost no noise is generated. The fan is quiet most of the time and one barely notices the noise generated by the hard disk. When more processing capacity is required, the fan has to work more. Even then, any noise is masked by the surrounding ordinary noises. When running on battery, the fan starts less frequently, since the processor is not reaching its maximum speed anymore.
Noise Level
| Idle |
| 27.7 / 27.7 / 30.1 dB(A) |
| Load |
| 35 / 0 dB(A) |
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30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
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min:  , med:  , max:  Voltcraft sl-300 (15 cm distance) | ||
Temperature
All in all, the Convertible barely heats up. The highest temperature was measured on the keyboard dock during the stress test. On the right edge, temperature increases to 41.5 degrees Celsius (106.7 Fahrenheit) at one location.
During the stress test (Prime95 and FurMark are running for at least one hour), the CPU runs (on AC power) at 800 MHz, the GPU works at 550 to 600 MHz. When running on battery, the speed decreases only slightly. The processor works then at 700 MHz, and the graphics core reaches speeds between 450 and 500 MHz. The CPU temperature levels off at 70 degrees Celsius (158 Fahrenheit, AC power during stress test).
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 39.6 °C / 103 F, compared to the average of 35.3 °C / 96 F, ranging from 19.6 to 55.7 °C for the class Convertible.
(+) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 38.8 °C / 102 F, compared to the average of 36.7 °C / 98 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 28.2 °C / 83 F, compared to the device average of 30.2 °C / 86 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are reaching skin temperature as a maximum (35.5 °C / 95.9 F) and are therefore not hot.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.2 °C / 82.8 F (-7.3 °C / -13.1 F).
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 37.2 °C / 99 F, compared to the average of 35.3 °C / 96 F, ranging from 19.6 to 55.7 °C for the class Convertible.
(±) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 41.5 °C / 107 F, compared to the average of 36.7 °C / 98 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 25.3 °C / 78 F, compared to the device average of 30.2 °C / 86 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 26.2 °C / 79.2 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(±) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.2 °C / 82.8 F (+2 °C / 3.6 F).
Energy Management
Power Consumption
Power intake of the Convertible when idle is almost the same as for comparable 13.3-inch notebooks. Under moderate (3D Mark 06 is running) or full stress (stress test, Prime95 and FurMark are running), the power required is however too high, after all, the device makes use of a ULV processor with a TDP of 11.5 Watts. No surprise: under stress, more power is required for the W30t in comparison to the W30Dt. The W30t has a more powerful processor and graphics core.
| Off / Standby | 0.1 / 0.2 Watt |
| Idle | 4.5 / 8.2 / 9.7 Watt |
| Load |
29.2 / 36.9 Watt |
   
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Battery Life
When idle, the Satellite achieves a battery life of 10:50 h, very similar to the Split x2 (10:57 h). The idle-mode is tested through the Battery Eater Reader’s Test. The display is set to the lowest brightness, the energy-saver profile is activated and the wireless modules are disabled. Under load, the Satellite runs 2:12 h, significantly less than the Split x2 (3:25 h). The run time under load is determined by the Battery Eater Classic test. Here, the screen runs at full brightness, and the high-performance profile and the wireless modules are enabled.
The Wi-Fi test is finished after 6:30 h for the Satellite; for the Split x2 a value of 6:01 h is obtained. During that test, websites are called automatically in 40-second intervals. The energy-saver profile is activated and the display brightness is set to 150 cd/m².
Overall, the Satellite has good battery life. It hardly surprises that the AMD version has better battery life since its power demand is less.
| Toshiba Satellite W30t-A-101 HD Graphics 4200, 4020Y, WD Blue UltraSlim WD5000MPCK-22AWHT0 | Toshiba Satellite W30Dt-A-100 Radeon HD 8180, A4-1200, WD Blue UltraSlim WD5000MPCK-22AWHT0 | HP Split x2 HD Graphics 4000, 3229Y, Micron RealSSD C400 MTFDDAT128MAM-1J2 | Asus Transformer Book T100TA-C1-GR HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3740, 32 GB eMMC Flash | Asus ASUSPRO Essential PU301LA-RO064G HD Graphics 4400, 4500U, Toshiba MQ01ABF050 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Runtime | 30% | 17% | 72% | -14% | |
| Reader / Idle | 640 | 650 2% | 657 3% | 999 56% | 664 4% |
| WiFi | 390 | 430 10% | 361 -7% | 647 66% | 317 -19% |
| Load | 132 | 236 79% | 205 55% | 256 94% | 95 -28% |
Verdict
The Satellite W30t-A-101 has mostly the same strong and weak points as the W30Dt-A-101. Differences exist however, since they are equipped with different CPUs and GPUs. The W30t has significantly better CPU and GPU performances, it needs however more power. Battery life is slightly lower and unlike the W30Dt, a fan to cool the processor is required. The display of the W30t is not as bright as the one used for the W30Dt, but it has a higher contrast.
The HP Split X2 is an equivalent alternative to the Satellite. However, the HP is equipped with a faster Solid State Drive.
Overall, the Convertible concept cannot convince. In principle, it is a tablet with a bad keyboard to plug in, all for 800 Euros (~$1092). For less money, more powerful and durable 13.3-inch notebooks can be bought. An example is the Dell Latitude 3340 (Core i5-4200U, HD Graphics 4400), which can currently be purchased for 600 Euros (~$819).
