Well after about 2 weeks with the new 17 inch laptop a few observations:

1) Windows 8 sucks! It locks up on shutdown after recent updates and there is no solution via updates or via the Microsoft community boards. Others have posted complaints also. I guess this is what happens when one gets the newest version early on before the bugs have ben removed. Plus I have no use for the APPS on the home page. Why do I want someone tracking my every move?????

2) Once I connected it to my 21" LCD monitor I was hooked on doing this most times. The 17" screen is very clear but small! Plus I find I am looking down and slouching at my desk to look at the laptop.

The full keyboard on the Toshiba Satellite is better for me than the old desktop keyboard.

IKan