Toshiba Qosmio X305-Q711 17.0-Inch Laptop Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had this laptop for a while now and have loved it every minute I've had it.
Pros - The Dual graphics cards, the processor speed, 4 GB RAM, good display and very good overall machine everything works well together. Laptops of equal capabilities cost significantly more.
Cons - Weight, Battery life, finger print magnet, lack of choice on colors (even just a black color alternative would suffice)
Notes on buying from Amazon.com - I got the laptop from Amazon for a cheaper price then anywhere else I found it. The delivery was right on-time and the packaging was done very well to protect the product. I was hesitant to order such an expensive electronic device from an online third party distributor but was very impressed with how it was handled and the quality of the product. Graphics -
The dual video cards running with just over 1g dedicated memory really make my games run smooth. I haven't experienced any lag in my online gaming since I started playing them with this laptop.
Processor -
The dual processor at 2.26GHz and 4G RAM are very efficient at handling anything I've tried to run on it so far, and believe me I've tried to push it.
Note: you must load 64bit Vista version or it can only use 3Gb of the ram.
Display -
The screen is beautiful, it displays colors without any odd shadow spots or fuzzy areas on the edges. The only downside I've seen with the screen is on the default resolution settings without perfect vision some text can be a little difficult to read without moving your eyes closer then arms length.
Hard Drive -
The 320Gb HDD is ample space for a laptop.
Optical Drives -
The drive loads anything you put it in very quickly and quietly. I have not had the opportunity to test out the DVD LabelFlash, but it was just a weird addition to this laptop and I don't see myself using it much if at all.
Bluetooth -
The Bluetooth links up quickly and doesn't fluctuate, I use a bluetooth mouse and it feels more precise then my Razor Diamondback I use on my tower.
Webcam/internal microphone -
The webcam is extremely clear and everyone I have used it with say that it does not jump or static at all even with fast or jerky movements in front of the camera. The microphone is pretty good, sometimes I'm told I sound distant. It is very good about canceling out sounds coming from the laptop. I still prefer my headset over this mic however, it just isn't quite as clear as a headset.
Media buttons -
The touch buttons at the top of the keyboard are a little odd to me, I try to keep my hands away from the top of the keyboard because they are so sensitive to any touch.
Sound -
The four main speakers and the subwoofer are great, I don't know why they put the subwoofer on a laptop but it does add a nice feel to a game when you've got it in your lap.
Battery/ AC Adaptor -
The AC adaptor is a massive 5Ibl brick, but considering what it's powering that isn't too surprising. The battery in this laptop is nearly worthless, you can adjust the settings as to what is actually running when you switch to battery power, but this still will only get you thirty to forty-five minutes of power. I only use the battery if I am switching rooms or plugs. If your battery dies while you're running your laptop it switches to what Toshiba called lockup mode, you have to plug the AC adapter in get a good 15-20 minutes charge on the battery. Then remove the AC and battery for 1 minute reseat the battery do not plug the AC in and power it up to get it out of Lockup mode. Annoying, but supposedly it protects your system from negative side-effects of loosing power while running. Something else of note, The back side on the bottom gets VERY HOT very quickly, make sure you have good airflow or a cooler pad.
Software -
I've barely found any use for the preloaded software, The Speech system is useless without training yourself to speak abnormally. The Norton and Office trials are full access trials which is nice, but ultimately useless after 60 days. The full version of Microsoft works is also very pointless unless your just using it for personal stuff, most professors or businesses wont except MSworks formatted documents. I haven't had a chance to test out the Face recognition, Disc Creator and Ulead DVD movie factory.
Weight/Size -
This is a beast of a machine, though it is a laptop you almost can't treat it as such. It weighs 15.09Ibs which is very heavy for a laptop. It also is extremely large on most of its dimensions. It is a 17" screen but when it is closed there is an additional 1/2" of computer in front of the screen, so it is too big for 90% of all laptop bags that would hold a 17" laptop. It is also 2.5" plus feet on the back side which is too thick for most pouches that laptop bags use to hold the laptop in place.
Design/Colors -
The only color this laptop comes in is flashy, if you like that kind of thing it works. If you don't you don't have any other options. The keyboard is overly shiny, it shows every single fingerprint and after an hour of working on an essay my keyboard looked five years old and gritty till I polished it over with a lentfree cloth. The touchpad uses a heavy duty surface, but this causes it not to register your movements all the time, sometimes you'll slide your finger across and the mouse will stop moving for a second halfway across the screen. Not a big issue but annoying when it stops just short of what you're trying to get to. It also does not have a scroll pad or wheel which is just an inconvenience. I have taken to only ever using my external mouse. The display screen is also a finger print magnet. I don't recall ever touching my screen, I use the edges of the monitor to open and close it, yet there are prints on the screen in many places.


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Powerfully styled and equally packed with powerful computing resources and video processing, the Toshiba Qosmio X305-Q711 is engineered to deliver unparalleled performance to gamers and multimedia enthusiasts. Featuring Toshiba's trademark "fiery" Fusion finish with Rogue design, it pairs one of the latest Intel Centrino 2 processors with Nvidia GeForce 9700M GTS graphics featuring NVIDIA SLi technology, 512 MB of discrete graphics and up to 2303 MB of shared memory when using the included 64-bit version of the Windows Vista Home Premium operating system.
Enjoy all the in-your-face realism of today's hottest 3D games with the 17-inch high-definition screen with a 1440 x 900 resolution and amazing brightness, contrast, color saturation and overall image quality. And you'll get crisp, immersive audio from four high-fidelity stereo speakers--and one very powerful sub-woofer.
This Qosmio is powered by the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor--with Centrino 2 technology--which boosts speed, reduces power requirements, and saves on battery life. The 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 includes a quick 1066 MHz front-side bus and 3 MB of L2 cache, providing an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved multimedia and multitasking performance. Other features include a 320 GB hard drive (with 7200 RPM speed), 4 GB of RAM (maximum capacity), Draft-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n), Bluetooth connectivity, HDMI and DisplayPort video output, S/PDIF digital audio output for 5.1-channel surround sound, dual-label DVD drive with Labelflash printing (also burns CDs), webcam and microphone mounted on display bezel, and multi-format memory card reader. Additionally, this Toshiba notebook is RoHS-compatible, effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances.
The Basics
Processor: Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, and amazing battery life with the 45nm Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 processor featuring Intel Centrino 2 technology. This processor has a 2.4 GHz processor speed, super-sized 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and a extra-large 3 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)
Formerly codenamed Montevina, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology improves upon every facet of a laptop's main features, including performance and battery life via new processors and chipsets, faster draft 802.11n wireless, and new business-class manageability capabilities. The new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet.
The Intel Core 2 Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized for multitasking and it can run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background.

Hard Drive: The large 320 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive (with a fast 7200 RPM speed--usually found in desktops) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect for storing a vast multimedia collection or for editing digital video. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to Firewire and USB 2.0.

Memory: The 4 GB of installed RAM (PC3-8500, 2 x 2 GB) maximizes the capacity of this notebook, and it also offers an ultra-fast 1066 MHz speed.

DVD/CD Drive: The dual-layer Labelflash DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD±R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data--great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 6x for both DVD±R DL, 8x for both single-layer DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 5x DVD-RAM, and 24x/16x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.
With the Labelflash functionality, you can burn high-resolution, high-contrast pictures on the label side of DVD discs using the same laser used for data recording. Enjoy transparency and high-quality not found in traditional printable media. All you need is a Labelflash DVD disc to start labeling without a printer.

Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 104-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad. It also offers CD/DVD media player and control buttons (play, stop, next, previous) as well as a volume control dial.
Screen, Video & Audio When it comes to full-on entertainment and gaming, this Qosmio laptop is unmatched with its widescreen 17-inch TruBrite display, which not only delivers stunning visuals but also provides the best viewing for widescreen movies with its native 1440 x 900 resolution. The TruBrite technology helps make images brighter and more vivid thanks to its anti-glare feature.
Delivering optimized performance for immersive gaming on-the-go, this Qosmio has a PCI-Express x16 graphics subsystem featuring the Nvidia GeForce 9700M GTS graphics card, which includes 512 MB of discrete graphics memory. It also provides up to 1791 MB of dynamically allocated shared graphics memory using Nvidia's TurboCache technology, and up to 2303 MB when using the 64-bit version of Windows Vista Home Premium operating system. With support for Microsoft DirectX 10it lets you rip through all of today's most advanced and cutting-edge games and applications. Experience real-time photo editing, or immerse yourself in the most complex, true-to-life gaming environments.
Nvidia Hybrid SLI technology delivers multi-GPU benefits when an Nvidia motherboard GPU is combined with an NVIDIA discrete GPU. With GeForce 9700M, the essential benefit of this technology is the ability to extend the life of your battery considerably with HybridPower. HybridPower technology is a key feature of Hybrid SLI, allowing you to unleash graphics performance when you need it, or instantly switch gears to a lower power mode from the motherboard GPU for longer battery life and quieter operation. This reduces system power consumption dramatically and extends battery life up to 40 percent longer.
It also features four stylishly incorporated Harman Kardon stereo speakers with a built-in subwoofer.
Networking, Connectivity & Expansion This notebook has an integrated tri-mode Atheros wireless LAN (802.11b/g/n). Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and Wi-Fi hotspots. The Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1 + EDR) enables you to communicate and synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs and cell phones.
With USB Sleep-and-Charge support, you can use your Toshiba laptop to charge your favorite portable electronic devices, even when the laptop is asleep. If you use a smartphone, you can just plug it in, power up and go without having to worry that you've got enough charge. This laptop is also Wireless USB ready. It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54/34 card slot (though no PCMCIA card slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features.
It comes with both HDMI and DisplayPort video outputs, the latter of which is a superior alternative to VGA and DVI and provides resolutions of up to 2560 x 1600. HDMI extends full 1080p support to HD displays as well as provides uncompressed digital audio and video via a single cable. Here's the full list of connection options:
4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players (including 1 eSATA/USB combo port)
1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
1 ExpressCard 54/34 slot
Digital video: 1 HDMI output and 1 DisplayPort output
Analog video: 1 VGA
Microphone/line-in and stereo headphones/speakers/line-out (with SPDIF digital audio output)
RJ-45 port for 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet connection
56K modem port (V.90)
5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card)

Operating System The 64-bit version of Windows Vista Home Premium (with SP1) is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.
Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities."
This laptop comes with both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista Home Premium.
Preloaded Software Microsoft Works 9.0, Google Desktop and Picasa (only available when using 32-bit Windows Vista), Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5, Norton 360 All-in-One Security (30-day trial), and Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (60-day trial).
Dimensions & Weight This notebook measures 16.2 x 12.0 x 1.7/2.5 (with feet) inches (WxDxH, and it weighs 9 pounds.
Power It comes with a 3200 mAH (8-cell) lithium-ion battery pack for extra-long battery life.
What's in the Box This package contains the X305-Q711 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.

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