Toshiba Satellite L755 Screen, Speakers, Keyboard and Touchpad

Screen and Speakers
The Satellite L755's 15.6-inch display is rank-and-file for this price segment. Its glossy surface slightly increases contrast at the expense of creating glare from nearby and overhead light sources. Brightness is average; I hesitate to call it "bright" or "dark"; it's almost exactly in the middle. The display has a slightly cold or bluish tint to it which is typical for displays using LED backlighting (just about all notebooks do, nowadays). Viewing angles are narrow as expected for a TN-type panel like this one; colors wash out quickly when viewed from above and below.

The two stereo speakers located above the keyboard have surprisingly loud and clear sound and forego the traditional tinny characteristics of most notebooks' speakers. There is little bass. I like the fact they are located above the keyboard as opposed to being hidden under the palm rest; wrists won't get in the way of the sound while typing. Higher-end Toshiba Satellite notebooks have better harman/kardon speakers.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The L755 has a nice full-size keyboard with separate numeric keypad. This is a traditionally-styled keyboard; it does not have extra spacing between the keys like the increasingly-popular "Chiclet" keyboards (which are all the rage but don't actually help the typing experience). The keys are completely flat and have a glossy surface which shows fingerprints; there's not a place on this notebook that does not show fingerprints, as a matter of fact. The keys have a light feel and offer satisfactory tactile feedback. The key travel is a tad short (the distance between pressed and un-pressed positions) and robs the keyboard of some valuable tactile feedback. Nonetheless it is still pleasant to type on and has no noticeable flex. It's also extra quiet. Backlighting is not available on the L755 but is on higher-end Toshiba Satellite models.

The L755's touchpad is just big enough; it has a textured surface that is easy for fingers to track on. The two touchpad buttons have a chrome finish which magically turns into a fingerprint mess when touched. The buttons are too loud and can be heard from anywhere in a reasonably-sized room; ideally touchpad buttons should be almost silent. One feature I appreciate about the touchpad is the on/off button located directly above it.