Toshiba Qosmio G55-Q802

(3.5 out of 5)

MSRP: $1,549

Toshiba’s Quad Core HD Processor gives this 18.4-inch multimedia powerhouse some compelling abilities, but the lack of a Blu-ray drive option holds it back.

It’s not every day that a new notebook processor appears, let alone that said processor is not from Intel or AMD. So we were eagerto get our hands on the new Toshiba Qosmio G55-Q802. It takes all the multimedia goodness we’ve come to expect from the Qosmio line and adds a unique Toshiba Quad Core HD co-processor to complement the primary Intel Core 2 Duo CPU. Mix in an Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT graphics, and you have a potent performer for multimedia and gaming. The Quad Core HD processor also enables Gesture Control, which lets you direct actions (such as starting or stopping multimedia playback) with hand movements, though this gee-whiz features a Version 1.0 implementation. And the lack of a Blu-ray optical drive, even as an option, is a huge letdown for a multimedia machine. Design Put simply, we love almost everything about the industrial design of the G55-Q802. The lid is done in glossy tone-on-tone gray pinstripes, and the base is glossy black with chrome accents. Even the black keyboard has a glossy finish, which leads us to our one complaint: The keyboard deck and keys show fingerprints readily, enough to put anal-retentive types into a full-blown panic attack. But we love the white LEDs that illuminate the touchpad, the circular volume control, and the full contingent of multimedia controls above the Function-key row; they are much easier on the eyes (both literally and figuratively) than the blue LEDs that have become a staple among consumer electronics.

Read Full Review @ LaptopMag.com by Jamie Bsales