Toshiba’s Qosmio range has a reputation for style and performance that continues with its latest batch, including the Qosmio F50 (PQF55A-01L021). What the Qosmio F50 really gets attention for is its audience-specific feature-set, ultimately providing media junkies and gamers with a notebook that’s not only pretty, but has their needs in mind.
Let’s consider, for a second, where this notebook is likely to live once it’s out of the box. With an HDMI-CEC output it’s possible you will set it down next to the TV, to be used as a DVD player and media centre. The inclusion of HDMI on top of the S-Video port certainly enriches its usefulness in this department.
Having a total of 500GB worth of storage space over two 250GB hard drives certainly allows plenty of room for a large music collection and video library, among other things. Should that run out, fear not. Toshiba has added an eSATA port, allowing fast data transfer with eSATA-compatible external hard drives, a great addition for heavy media users.
On the other hand it includes its own hybrid FM tuner and digital/analogue TV tuner, with a standard antennae input and a portable TV aerial - and it has some pretty pumpin’ Harmon Kardon speakers with a subwoofer - so it’s also suitable as an all-in-one entertainment device for the bedroom. The 15.4in screen is nice and bright with reasonable viewing angles, but only offers a 1280x800 resolution, so it’s not a high definition experience. On the positive, however, Toshiba has included the capability to put the DVD in quiet mode, which slows the disc rotation to minimise noise, a very cool feature.
If that isn’t enough to get you giddy it’s also packed with an NVIDIA 9600M GT with 512MB of dedicated GDDR3 memory, so it may even find its way to the ‘computer desk’ for some serious gaming sessions. What we’re trying to hint at here is that the Qosmio F50 really covers its bases, and doesn’t fail in any department as a result. Using a DVD movie to run down the battery took a decent 108minutes, which isn’t amazing, but isn’t too bad for such a power hungry notebook. Its 3.7kg weight might restrict its mobility, but beyond that everything’s coming up Qosmio.
On the eve of Intel’s latest processor release, codenamed “Nehalem”, we’re pleased to announce that the Qosmio F50’s installed Core 2 Duo P8600 2.4GHz CPU, built on Intel’s 45nm (nanometre) architecture, is still one of the best options around. It offers a 1066MHz FSB (front side bus) and has a 3MB L2 cache, so it’s not the top-dog, but it’s vying for the position. A solid 4GB of DDR2 RAM (upgradable to 8GB) provides plenty of breathing room, too. The CPU is part of Intel’s Centrino 2 platform and so it is installed alongside an Intel Wi-Fi 802.1 a/b/g/n adapter.
Qosmio models have always flounced a touch of aesthetic bling, so it’s no surprise that the Qosmio F50 walks the catwalk in what can best be described as a pin-stripe tuxedo. The glossy, black keys meet a pin-stripe patterned finish that has class written all over it. The curved design of the chassis is chic and the whole unit comes off quite stylish.
Among these features you’ll also get a 1.3megapixel webcam built into the screen, a media card reader and a set of backlit, easy-to-use media controls above the keyboard. The volume is controlled by a knob on the chassis that seems a little flimsy at first, but is ultimately quite effective. There is, of course, a DVD-RW drive in there as well.
Verdict: While a new generation of notebook technology teeters on the horizon, products like the Qosmio F50 prove there’s no point in waiting, not when the hardware is this good now. Media enthusiasts and mobile gamers will approve of its offerings.
Pros: Its eSATA, HDMI, 500GB storage capacity, gaming potential and top-notch speakers all get a big green tick.
Cons: The 3.7kgs weight may throw some looking for more mobile options
source: gadget zone
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