The A300 is that it never looks like a complete whole when shut. The lid is raised off the base because both are curved, and protective rubber pads accentuate this further. If I had to sum up the Satellite’s physical design in two words, I would say curvy and high-gloss, which very much brings to mind the HP Pavilion dv6750ea. But unlike HP’s attractive Imprint finish, Toshiba’s Fusion finish is dull and uninspired ( it looks better in the pictures than in real life, honestly) .
The design basically consists of stripes. Yes, the company’s revolutionary new ‘Horizon’ pattern is just a bunch of plain, straight lines that narrow towards the edges. And on the notebook’s lid, they come in a sickly-grey colour against a graphite grey background. Depending on lighting conditions, this makes the machine look washed-out when closed, an effect not helped by the large off-white Toshiba logo in its centre. Nor does being able to see every fingerprint under most conditions pretty things up much, though you can always use the lid as a mirror. Of course, looks are a matter of taste, and if you like pin-striped suits ( which Toshiba does actually refer to in its marketing) , the A300-177 might suit you ( sir) .