Toshiba Intros New Satellite, Tecra, Qosmio Notebooks

Toshiba Intros New Satellite, Tecra, Qosmio Notebooks

CES 2010 - Toshiba is introducing its latest lineup of Satellite, Tecra, and Qosmio notebooks based on the latest Intel Core series processors.

• The Satellite A505 series features a 16-inch display, Core i3/i5/i7 processors, and Nvidia GeForce graphics; pricing starts at $769.99.
• The Satellite L505/L555 are value models with 15.6/17.3-inch displays. They are available with Core i3/i5 processors and three finishes: silver, Fusion finish in Graphite, and the Fusion finish in Midnight Breeze. The L505 starts at $459.99 and the L555 $649.99.
• The M505 series is a 14-inch notebook that weighs five pounds. It is available with Intel Core i3 processors and starts at $699.99.
• The P505 is the largest Satellite notebook, boasting an 18.4-inch screen. It is available with Core i3 or i7 processors, Nvidia GeForce 310M graphics, and starts at $799.99.
• The U505 is the smallest Satellite notebook with a 13-inch screen and less-than five pound weight. Core i3/i5 processors are available, along with optional touch-screen functionality and WiMAX. Pricing starts at $649.99.
• The new Tecra A11 series have a 15.6-inch display and are offered with Core i3/i5/i7 processors. The A11 series starts at $879.99 with a three-year warranty.
• Last but not least, the flagship Qosmio X505 consumer notebook has high-end features such as Core i5/i7 processors, an 18.4-inch display, Nvidia GeForce GTS 360M graphics, Blu-ray drives, and premium sound. The X505 series starts at $1,199.99.

The new Satellite notebooks with Core i7 processors and the Qosmio X505 will be available 12 Jan; Core i3/i5-equipped models will be available on 17 Jan. The Tecra A11 series will be available on 19 Jan.

 

What is the gpu option now on the new U505, I know the last one had the pretty solid ATI 4570 gpu.

 

GTS 360? Nice, i always liked the X505 and this is a nice update. Also at only $1200 this might be quite a deal.

 

The Qosmio X505 is one of the better values among high-performance, HUGE desktop replacement systems. The major peeve that I have with it is the display resolution used on all but the most expensive configuration. They have an 18.4" display with 1680x945 resolution, even on most models with a Blu-ray drive included. Only the models that approach $2000 or more get the 1920x1080 display...

 

1680x945 is plain insulting on an 18.4-inch display, Toshiba should be ashamed for offering something that low. Regardless, it sells simply because hardly anyone cares. I bet Blu-ray stuff looks nice on the 1080p version though.

LaptopMag had some hands-on with the Tecra A11:
http://blog.laptopmag.com/toshiba-gives-its-business-notebook-design-a-makeover-with-the-tecra-a11
Even though it is a 15.6-inch machine, at first glance I thought I was looking at a Dell Precision M6400. Details, details . . .
It looks like a big improvement over the last Tecra range (which was far from impressive), but based on the first impressions and pictures it seems to be not up to par with HP, Dell, or Lenovo. Pass.

 

I don't like the look of the new tecra notebooks.
I'll pass on those also.

 

I think that 1680 x 945 is substandard for an 18.4" display. And I think the Qosmio should have a higher end GPU, like the GTX 360M at least, or the equivalent.

For some reason Toshiba seems to really stay with lower end parts than the competition, in their high end notebooks, and that's the one thing about the Qosmio that annoys me. I think the highest end Qosmio would have had to have been the X305/X300, that's pretty much the only notebook they have ever really gone all out with.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/toshiba-unleashes-seven-satellites-with-core-i3-and-i5-processor/

Lots more pictures in the link.

 

The top-level current model is the X505-Q850 which is priced at $1,899. It is the ONLY one of the Qosmio lineup that appears to have all the right parts in place:

Intel Core i7-720QM processor
18.4" Full HD (1920x1080) TruBrite Display
64GB SSD main drive (OS/programs)
320GB 7200rpm hard drive (data)
6GB DDR3-1066 RAM
1GB NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M (GDDR5)
Blu-ray Disc ROM & DVD-RW combo drive
LED-backlit keyboard
Omega Black Fusion finish with red accents
12-cell Battery

But models for just a few hundred less have the 1680x945 display, less DDR3 RAM, lack the SSD main drive and some have lesser processors...all the way down to the i3-330M!!!???

 

I liked the direction they were heading in with the R10 'thin-and-light'. It was a full pound lighter and 0.3inches thinner than the Tecra M10, but they were both 14.1" models. The R10 also has standard SSD main drive, LED-backlit displays from day one and they use the SP-series Intel processors.

But they're also not as rock-solid feeling as the Tecra A10/M10 and feel more like the Portege R600 than any Tecra model...and the R600 is rather frail, IMO...

I'm a little confused by Toshiba's current design choices (which are ALL OVER THE MAP) even just within the Satellite lineup. The U505 looks amazing, especially in the standard rich Brown Luxe with Chrome accents! But none of the other models offer the design and materials or similar colors? The M500 has a chocie of White, Red or Black and the Black can be upgraded to the Edge-to-Edge display & LED keyboard, but that's it....then the A500 and P500 are only available in Fusion black, the only choice to make is whether you want the Edge-to-Edge display and LED keyboard...or not...

 

Wait I thought the GPU was suppose to be the better GTS 360m.

 

The older models x505-Q830, Q840, Q850 has 250M.

The newer models x505-Q870, Q875, Q880 has 360M

Can use google to find more information on these newer models. Newegg.com has Q870 and Q875 details in the website.

 

Thank you for clearing that up.

 

This is true, actually the Qosmio series in general has always been pretty solid. I had one and loved it (F25). Even though its been a while it still on the best notebooks i ever owned in build and speaker quality.

 

I currently have a Qosmio G25 running XP. It has held up pretty good. Have had it for 5 years. I'm looking to replace it now as it has very small colored vertical lines running through the 1440x900 screen. Running the NVIIDA Geforce GO 660.