Toshiba's latest consumer laptop range, Qosmio, allows you to access its audio and video facilities without even booting the system. Designed for living room environments, the range comprises three models, all of which have a 15in. TFT display (1024x768 pixels). However, it's likely that by the end of the year there will also be 15.4in. widescreen and 17in. models.
Pros: Instant-on features; second backlight in display; built-in TV tuner
Cons: Low resolution screen; basic specifications
Attempting to wrestle the emerging digital convergence market away from Media Center desktops, Toshiba's Qosmio (338x285x43mm, 3.5kg) acts as a TV, PC, DVD recorder and music player. What's so special about the system is that its audio and video facilities are accessible without booting Windows XP Media Center Edition. This is made possible by the Qosmio Player application that runs on Linux. In addition, there are component video outputs and a S/PDIF port for connecting the laptop to a variety of external screens and A/V devices.
Based on Intel's Centrino platform, the laptop is available with a choice of processors: Pentium M 725, 735, 745 and 755. It also comes as standard with 512MB of DDR333 SDRAM, either a 60GB or 80GB hard disk, as well as built-in 802.11b Wi-Fi (802.11g is an optional extra). Graphics are driven by nVidia's GeForce FX Go 5200 chip with 64MB of dedicated video memory.
Machines in the Qosmio range include a proprietary image processing chip that includes 11 image processing functions to offer a brightness equivalent to that of a flat panel television. In particular, the chip includes a deblocking filter, which promises to reduce block noise during playback, and an interlace-to-progressive scan converter, which can help reduce screen flicker and improve edges on fast moving objects.
The laptop's UltraBrightScreen technology also promises a crisper image with more vivid colours, which is good news because laptop screens generally aren't up to scratch for watching DVD-Movies. Audio is catered for by a pair of 30mm Harmon Kardon speakers, the largest yet integrated into a laptop.
BIOS, Jul 22, 04 | Print | Send | Comments (0)
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