Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 Notebook PC Review

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Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 Notebook PC

Mon, Dec 3, 2007

Filed in Toshiba Laptops

Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680

Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680

Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 notebook PC, which features a widescreen 17-inch screen with 1080p HD resolution, external USB TV tuner, crisp audio from the four Harman Kardon speakers with subwoofer, and integrated media control buttons on either side of the keyboard. The Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 is one of the first Toshiba notebooks to offer the new state-of-the-art HD DVD-R optical drive, which enables you to burn up to 30 GB of data–including video or entire photo and music libraries–onto a single HD DVD recordable disc. You’ll also be able to burn a wide range of standard disc formats. A 1.3 megapixel digital web camera built into the LCD’s bezel lets you quickly snap photos and participate in live video chats.

Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 notebook is powered by the 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 processor from the newest “Santa Rosa” chipset. Providing an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance, as well as excellent battery management, it also offers a speedy 800 MHz front-side bus and 4 MB L2 cache. It also includes Intel’s 4965 AGN wireless LAN, which will connect to draft 802.11n routers and offers compatibility with 802.11a/b/g networks as well. Other features include 320 GB of hard drive space (from dual 160 GB drives), 2 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), 1 GB of Intel Turbo Memory, Nvidia GeForce 8600M video card with 512 MB of discrete video RAM, 5-in-1 memory card reader, and a biometric fingerprint scanner for added security. Additionally, this Toshiba notebook is RoHS-compatible, effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances.

Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 PC also comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, which combines all the features of Windows Vista Premium and Vista Business as well as adds extras such as multi-language packs and Secure Online Key Backup. It offers all of the features found in Windows Vista Home Premium, including Windows Media Center, Windows Movie Maker with high-definition support, and Windows DVD Maker. It also provides all of the features found in Windows Vista Business, including business networking, centralized management tools, and advanced system backup features. Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 Basics

  • Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 processor has a 2.0 GHz processor speed, super-fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and an extra-large 4 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.)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 is ready to support the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. It can simultaneously 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. Some of the advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include:
    • Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth to provide data to the processor when and where it is needed.
    • Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.
    • Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core to help save power.
    • Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during periods of inactivity to lower CPU voltage.
  • Hard Drive: This system offers a total of 320 GB of hard disk drive space from two 160 GB drives (5400 RPM), creating one of the largest capacities you’ll currently find in a notebook PC (as of June 2007). These Serial ATA (SATA) hard drives also quicken the pace with a higher speed transfer of data–akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
  • Memory: The 2 GB of installed RAM (2 x 1 GB DDR2, PC5300) is an excellent start, but you’ll want to add more RAM to handle today’s demanding multimedia and productivity suites. It provides two DIMM slots and has a large 4 GB maximum RAM capacity. It also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed.It also includes 1 GB of Intel Turbo Memory, which stores frequently used information near the processor, where it’s more quickly available, enabling your notebook to actually learn your habits and thus provide better system response. This entirely new system innovation for Windows Vista PCs is based on Performance Intel NAND Flash Memory (like the memory used in an iPod or USB thumb drive), together with supporting software.
  • DVD/CD Drive: This Qosmio notebook offers the next generation of DVD entertainment with one of Toshiba’s first notebook HD DVD-R/DVD SuperMulti optical drives. You’ll be able to play HD DVD movie discs–which provide the superior image and sound quality of high-definition images and multichannel surround sound–as well as burn video, photos, music, and data to 30 GB HD DVD-R discs. It also incorporates a multi-format DVD/CD burner, which is compatible with dual-layer (DL) discs that can hold up to 8.5 GB of data. It features the following speeds: 1x HD DVD-R, 2.4x DVD+R DL, 2x DVD-R DL, 4x for both single-layer DVD±R, 4x for both single-layer DVD±RW, 3x DVD-RAM, and 24x/16x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.
  • Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-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. This Qosmio also comes with a remote control.

Screen, Video & Audio
Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 notebook has a 17-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1900 x 1200 pixels (native 1080p for high-definition viewing). It also provides TruBrite technology, which makes images brighter and more vivid thanks to its anti-glare feature. It also offers a 140-degreee horizontal viewing angle, 110-degree vertical viewing angle, up to 350 cd/m2 (candela per square meter) brightness rating, and 450:1 contrast ratio. (The higher the contrast ratio, the greater a TV’s ability to display subtle color details and not get washed out by ambient room light.)

Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce 8600M graphics card, which provides up to 767 MB of available RAM/video memory (512 MB dedicated RAM) for unmatched HD video performance on a notebook PC. With support for Microsoft DirectX 10 Shader Model 4.0 and High Dynamic-Range Lighting (HDR), it 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.

Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 also features a 1-bit digital amplifier, four Harman Kardon stereo speakers with a built-in subwoofer.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with this notebook’s integrated quad-mode Wi-Fi chip. 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) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range–great for closed office environments). You’ll enjoy wireless connectivity to a wide range of peripherals with the built-in Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR (enhanced data rate), which offers up to three times the bandwidth of standard Bluetooth.

Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54/34 card slot (as well as a standard PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. You get a good offering of connectivity options:

  • 5 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals–from digital cameras to MP3 players
  • 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
  • 1 VGA monitor port
  • 1 HDMI output (for connecting to a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver for uncompressed digital audio and video via a single cable)
  • 1 S-Video port for connecting to a TV
  • 1 ExpressCard 54/34
  • 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, CardBus support)
  • 1 headphone jack (1 with S/PDIF digital audio compatibility) and 1 microphone jack
  • 5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card)

Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded Software
Microsoft Works 8.5, InterVideo WinDVD 8, Google Desktop and Picasa, Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5, McAfee Internet Security Suite (30-day trial), and Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition (60-day trial).

Power
Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 comes with a 7050 mAh lithium-ion battery pack for a super-long battery life.

What’s in the Box
This package contains the Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, remote control, external TV tuner, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.

Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 Features
  • Portable multimedia powerhouse with 17-inch screen, four Harmon Kardon stereo speakers with subwoofer, TV tuner, HD DVD-R burner
  • 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 processor, dual 160 GB hard drives, 2 GB RAM (4 GB max), 1 GB Intel Turbo Memory, dual-layer DVD burner
  • Quad-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, Nvidia GeForce 8600M video card with 512 MB of discrete memory
  • Connectivity: 5 USB, 1 FireWire, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI, 1 S-Video, ExpressCard 54/34, 5-in-1 memory card reader, headphone jack with SPDIF audio output
  • Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Ultimate (with Premium and Business capabilities)
Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 Specifications
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Toshiba DynaBook Qosmio F30/795LS Battery (DYNABOOKQOSMIOF30795LSLTO55)
Battery, Manufacturer: Toshiba, PN: DYNABOOKQOSMIOF30795LSLTO55
StoreStore RatingPrice
AtBatt.com
4.00 out of 5
$89.99
AtBatt.com
4.00 out of 5
$89.99
AtBatt.com
4.00 out of 5
$89.99
AtBatt.com
4.00 out of 5
$89.99
AtBatt.com
4.00 out of 5
$89.99

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