X505-q8100

Ya'll love this. ToshibaDirect has the new Qosmio lineup up. Great. Look at the specs -- the q8102x is listed as having 1920x1080p. Huh? Go into the listing for it. Still says it. Click "specifications", so at the top of the screen it says 1920x1080... but on the spec sheet now displayed on the bottom-half, it says 1680x945, but right beside that it says "1080i" (which, by definition, is 1920x1080).
Can these guys get ANYTHING right, even on their own freakin' website????
This sort of thing does not exactly build confidence.

From the top of the page:
# LED backlit keyboard
# 1920x1080 native resolution (1080p)
# Bluetooth®

And the specs now on the bottom half of the page:
Supports 1080i content, 1680x945 (HD+)

I am almost 100% certain that the correct information is the last half of the info from the spec page (1680x945), but since they state 3 different specs on the same physical page (1920x1080p, "1080i", and 1680x945), I think it's normal to wonder about their basic competence. I can email dell or HP and ask questions about their spec pages -- Toshiba does not offer such assistance except by phone. Irritating. Can't even drop a quick email and say, hey, idiots, get your information accurate.

(slaps forehead)

 

Here's the conversation with their live chat person:

You: I'd like some clarification. On the new listing for the q8102x, it says in the description "1920x1080p". When you click the specs page, it shows "1080i" (something different than 1080p), and then states 1680x945. That's three DIFFERENT monitor specs. Which one is actually accurate??

mmmm: The specs would be accurate

You: Except the specs say "supports 1080i content, 1680x945". 1080i is 1920x1080 interlaced, whereas obviously 1680x945 cannot be 1080i. ???

mmmm: You will need to call sales tomorrow.

mmmm: 800-656-9394.

(I put the mmmm over his name, don't want to get in any trouble for copying the live chat text)
That's literally all I could get. He said he's forward the information to the web team and that he could see that there are "two different pieces of information" -- this, after I explained to him that there are THREE different specs showing and explained (after the above text) what the differences between 1080p (progressive), 1080i (interlaced) and 945p (1680x945) are.

I can't say, again, that this is building confidence in Toshiba. I just went through their inability to get their own information straight with the whole Walmart fiasco. Now they're doing it again on their own website???

 

Well you have to remember. Those "Live Chat" reps are usually soemone in India working for a company that holds a contract for Toshiba Support.


Personally, I would just ignore the 1080i/p stuff. Just focus on resolution. The 8100x says 1680x945, 8102x says 1680x945 [even thought like you said it states 1080p native resolution], 8104x says 1920x1080, 930X says 1920x1080.

I know it can be confusing, I don't blame you. Toshiba really screwed this lineup. Like I said in the beginning: only expect 1080p on the higher end Qosmios (8104 and above).

 

I know. I just find it absolutely monstrous that a company would publish a product for sale and not be able to get the information accurate. I expect exactly as you said: the only 1080p displays are actually the 930x and the q8104x (ironically, at the same price, $1899). I'm inclining toward the q8102x.

Especially after their Wal-Mart fiasco, which led to Wal-Mart yanking the laptop from their site: because Toshiba couldn't get the information on its own unit accurate. This sort of repeated nonsense does not build confidence in a company that apparently can't do basic fact-checking before it publishes information. Very unsettling.

Still inclining toward a Qosmio, most likely going with the q8102x. It's just... unsettling to watch this sort of thing repeat itself.

 

What a process.

 

Weird ....!!

I'm not going to put them down, but as you said it does not promote confidence in Toshiba personnel. Quite the contrary.

I've started looking at other brands myself.

Did you find out any more info about the reliability and durability of Sager notebooks, jms? I'm interested in the Sager NP8170. Customized with an i7 2720QM, 460M GPU, 8 Gigs of RAM, and a Blu-ray burner it comes to $2004.00 even. A little more saving on my part and I could afford it by Easter easy!!. It even has 2 USB 3.0 jacks!!

Very tempting ... if I only had a little more confidence in them via first person testimonies from those that own or have owned one!

 

If you go SAGER, I'd buy it from Xoticpc.com

They provide the Customer Service, which is supposed to be superior over SAGER.


DARN HUSKIES LOST!!! By 3 points to North Carolina! ARG!

 

You know, I keep forgetting about Xoticpc.com.

I think I'll configure it over there later and see what kind of price I get. Thanks, Alex.

 

I can't get a firm grip on Sager themselves, the feedback is all over the place. Seems to be: good laptops, but don't buy from them directly. Go through someone else who'll do the c.s. and warranty for you.

Xoticpc has an A+ from the BBB and a 9.81 out of 10 at resellerratings, which seems to reinforce a positive opinion of them.

Anyone know anything about Powernotebooks.com? Resellerratings is 9.92 out of 10, and BBB is A+. They do custom Sager builds, too.

I'm personally still inclining toward a Qosmio, but if Xoticpc is as reliable as folks seem to say, I might consider doing a Sager build there.

 

Folks, I wasn't trying to put Toshiba down, I'm just relaying what literally is happening. If Toshiba doesn't like looking the way it looks in this mess, they should figure out where the weakness in their corporate structure is and fix it so they can avoid these screw-ups in the future.

That said, they're still of higher esteem with me than Asus, who are 0-for-3 on "out of the box defective". I'll buy from Toshiba ('cause their errors look like stupid mistakes that are unlikely to affect the build quality of the units), but I won't buy from Asus.

 

Just an FYI: ordered q896 a week back from ToshibaDirect. Couple days later they have "upgraded" my order to q8102x and reassured me that all the specs are same as q896 (including 1080p) except for a better CPU, more RAM/HDD.

It is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, fingers crossed for 1080p... If not - my money goes to Asus.

 

My understanding is that the q8102 is 945p (it's the SB equivalent to the q894). I actually bought a 8102 in Jan. from Costco (before I had to return) and it was advertised as 945p. If it's 1080p, please let us know, as that would be a nice surprise.


Good luck

 

Oh, it'll be 945p. I called Toshiba Direct today and asked if they could verify the information (1080p? 1080i? 945p?) on the 8102x. They told me that the spec sheet was right (this should sound familiar, read my post a few posts ago) -- I pointed out that the spec sheet said two different things. They then assured me that it would be 1080p (which is NOT on the spec sheet). I then thanked them and hung up.
I'll say it again: it is amazing to me that they are trying to sell a product and they apparently don't have a clue what the product actually is.
And again, all that said, my next laptop will be a Qosmio. I'm just not buying until I can get a clear, definitive answer.

 

There seem to be some cases where Hardware reporting programs report B2 and NOT B3 stepping chips. Some say this is a problem with the reporting software and the inability to see the new hardware is due to the limitations of the BIOS.
Once the BIOS is updated, it will show B3 stepping.

Took this from a Dell XPS 17 thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/560916-dell-send-me-chipset-rev-b2-3.html#post7270357


Some are able to see B3 once they update to Win 7-Sp1 and new BIOS.

 

I heard that B2 Rev 9 is OK, not rev 6.

So it doesn't need to be B3.

But that's just something I heard...

 

Just confirmed with Toshiba rep - q8102x is 1680x945. Nothing they can do about the order or to help me out in any way. Sucks because this was suppose to be a bday present and now I have to wait another 2 weeks just to get my money back.

I am going with Acer. Never again ordering anything from Toshiba.

 

Re MaxBBQ: yeah, what with their utter inability to confirm the specs of THEIR OWN PRODUCTS, and repeating the same mistakes over and over again, I'm not getting a very professional vibe from Toshiba. Doesn't instill confidence.

Still probably going to order a Qosmio, though not from Toshiba directly, as ToshibaDirect has demonstrated an apalling level of incompetence and inability. I think I'm safe if I just assume anything other than the highest model is 1680x945.

What a messed-up marketplace: Can't buy Asus, HP's Envy line is poorly configured right now and overheats, Toshiba's not exactly impressing with this string of idiocy, Sony has nothing to configure (unless you want something sub-17")... geez.

 

I am looking at Acer 8950G - looks slick and lighter than Qosmio. Rest of the specs for the main part look the same or better than q8102x AND it has a 1080p screen.

Not sure about availability or pricing though...

 

Interesting Acer, 8950g. Can't find anywhere that has it, though. Let me know if you find it somewhere and what price it's going for...

 

They got pulled due to SB issues but there were some updates on Acer's website as of last Wed so they might resume shipping them in a couple of weeks.

Pricing for i7-2630/ATI 6850/8GB RAM/750GB HDD is around $1600 from what I can tell.

 

Only problem I can't get past is that it's an Acer.

Other than that it looks good.

 

You can say that again! I've been looking for an i7 quad, 1080p notebook with a decent video card since february, money to spend and nothing to spend it on.

Toshiba really needs to look around though, having 18.4" screens that arent at least 1080p is just such a waste of time I can't see ever buying one, and I can't believe they swapped out a 896 order for a sandybridge with less screen realestate and tried to pass it off as the same.

Right now heres my take on whats available in this category...

HP 17" Envy, runs cooler than the last gen but too early to tell, lenghty waits for delivery.

HP 17" dv7t, only a 1600x900 screen and no word on quality or heat yet as not many have actually seen them but with their big discounts you can config an i7 quad, 8gb, 750gb 7200rpm drive, bluray 6770 1gb ddr5 video for well under 1000. I would put that up against an 8100 or 8102. You can deck one out all the way with an 160gb SSD, dual batteries, etc for a bit over 1200.

MSI gt680r, 460m cpu, i7 sb, dual 500gb drives in raid 0 for about $1500 in a 15" cool running form factor with a 1080p screen.

Asus g73sw which i waver back and forth on liking or not.

I like the XPS 17 ok but its got such long delays in delivery its not worth looking at right now for me.

 

Hmm... Anything in particular that is a turn-off when it comes to Acer?

 

Holy moly. Toshiba fixed the 8102 description. That should be great, right? It now says (and I wish I was making this up): "1680x945 native resolution (1080p)".
That would make it unique, since for it to be 1080p, it would have to be xxxx-1080. Even when they fix the information, they can't get it right.
How utterly silly can this get?

 

And the spec sheet still says 1080i and 1685x945. So, they changed one of the three areas that was incorrect -- leaving two (the 1080p mention and the 1080i mention) still wrong.

 

Well, technically speaking, they are right - it does support 1080i/p - via HDMI... But so does my 2yr old netbook... False advertisement to the max hehehe.

 

I own a dead Acer Aspire. Died little after 12 months of ownership; therefore out of warranty. I know it happens, but I'm buying from Costco so if it happens again, I can exchange it for a new functioning unit (YES! Costco backs up what they sell).



As the for 1920x1080 screen on Qosmios, they have em, but just cost more. For me, I personally prefer a 1680x945 screen; as I thought the 945p on my previous Qosmio q894 was great! The FullHD 1080p screen does look crispy and nice, but also looks smaller. I like viewing my screens from a distance; as my current 19" CRT monitor is running on 1280x1024 resolution. I know I can buy a 1080p Qosmio and just turn down the resolution, but hate paying more for something I won't use. I figure if I need 1080p, my SONY Bravia 55" TV is all the 1080p I really need.

Like I said before, just look at the resolutions; they're correct. The Walmart 8100 had a messed up 1920x1080 screen persuasion, but the 8100x at Toshiba has it correctly described as 1680x945 [even though it says supports 1080i?]. I really don't know why Toshiba can't figure this out and just get rid of the "supports 1080i/p" crap. They probably outsourced their tech manuals too.


Just waiting for Costco to get the Qosmio in. I'm giving them until April; if not then might go ToshibaDirect.


Good luck

 

Anyone know if the new sandybridge screens are LED backlit or still CCFL?

 

CCFL

10-char

 

I wonder if the 1080p screens still have the darken / shadow strip near the taskbar area. kind of turned me of the 89x series.

 

What do you guys think? q898 for about $1700 (shipped) or q930x for $1900 (+taxes and shipping)?

 

Where do you find the Q898 for $1700 shipped????? Share, please.

 

Rank these, please, in terms of the order you'd buy them:
x505-Q8102
x505-Q8100
X500-S1811
x505-Q898
x505-Q894
x505-Q888
(I found an x505-q8104 for $1899 + shipping, which would seem to be the top of the top...)

Thanks

 

They've been popping up there and there, mostly refurbs or used. I've seen them as low as $1450 but that was couple weeks back.

At the moment it seems that all stock has dried up but given the opportunity - should I just snatch a refurb q898 for $1700 or get the q930x? New models do have more RAM/HDD and better CPU but I just can't see how all of that will be worth extra $400 or even necessary...

 

Your question is sort of why I asked folks to rank the models I listed. I'm curious what folks think are better -- an s1811 (i7-740) or a q8100 (i5-2410), as in, which is the better deal? Or perhaps an x505-q894? All three of these are about the same price right now.

 

My "prioritization" goes something like this: 1080p > CPU > Price > GPU > RAM > HDD... So, based on that:

x505-q888
x505-q898
x505-q8102
x505-q894
x505-q8100
x500-s1811

 

My prioritization is ill-defined at the moment. I think I'd say GPU>CPU>PRICE>(display resolution)>RAM>(everything else).

On that criteria, it gets interesting. I've found q888's down in the $1000-$1200 range; q898 is up in the $1800+ range. Q894s are in the $1400-$1500 range; q8100 is $1299 from Toshiba; q8102 is $1599. S1811 is $1400-$1600.
So, the interesting question is: with price as part of the equation, what spec machine is the "best deal"? The q888 has the 360M w/ 1GB DDR5, but has an i7-740qm processor. Processor good, but how much worse is the 360M to the 460M that's in all the others?
I mean, if money were no object, I'd get the q8104 that's on Amazon at $1899+shipping.

 

GTS 360M is about 20-25% worse[slower] than the GTX 460m (big difference).
Comparison of Laptop Graphics Cards - Notebookcheck.net Tech
[Plus the GTS 360m Qosmio basically made it's debut almost a year ago]


DO NOT buy the q8104 from Newegg. It's listed as the pre-recalled Qosmios, they will not tell me if it's the "fixed" version and also told me they will not guarantee which version I get. It even has different manufacturers #'s : q8104 [PQX34U-00N0 0V] vs q8104X [PQX34U-00N0 1T].
I've asked Newegg to clarify which version they actually have, but they basically gave me the middle finger.

As for the q8104 on Amazon (not listed as 8104X version), I would call them up and ask for the Toshiba part# on the side of the laptop box. If it's the same as Newegg's (mentioned above), I would steer clear of them. Only the "X" versions are verified to have the FIXED chipset.
Amazon.com: Qosmio X505-Q8104 18.4-Inch Gaming Laptop (Omega Black): Computer & Accessories


I'm in the same boat as jms: "GPU>CPU>PRICE>(display resolution)>RAM"
I want GTX 460m, want i7, and don't care whether it's 945p or 1080p.

If you can buy it online from a non-tax site, I'd day go for it.

 

ToshibaDirect charges sales tax, which is sort of like having a $150 penalty as opposed to buying from Buy.com or Amazon.com and so on. I'd have sprung on the q8102x from them already but for that penalty.

I'd ideally like a q8102x, but they're available next to nowhere outside of Toshiba themselves.

Such a freakin' headache. The q888 was intriguing, but not with a 20-25% differential on the graphics card. Lower price does not offset that sort of difference.

 

So, Toshiba Direct for the q8102x is $1599.99 plus $150 sales tax, so $1749.99.
I can get a q894 for $1474.
Both are i7s, the q894 being the i7-740 and the 8102x being the i7-2630qm.

Is it worth the extra $270 to get the 8102x over the q894 (or s1811, which appears to have exactly the same specs as the 894)?

Is q8100x at the mid-$1400s after tax actually better than the q894? Notebookcheck.net's benchmarks actually seem to say that the i7-740 is comparable if not better than the i5-2410, and they both have the 460m.

 

If you don't mind refurbs, Newegg has the q894 refurb for $1199.
Newegg.com - Recertified: TOSHIBA Qosmio X505-Q894B NoteBook Intel Core i7 740QM(1.73GHz) 18.4" 4GB Memory DDR3 1066 500GB HDD 7200rpm BD Combo NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M

If I had to do it over, knowing I would have to wait 2 months for a new Qosmio, I would have kept my q894. Like you said, the specs are pretty much the same (only major difference is the CPU).

Remember, the i5 is only a dual-core whereas the i7 is quad. In games, they will perform the same (maybe i5 will be better since higher clock), but in multitasking, i7 will shine.

Good luck

 

That is exactly what is keeping me from getting a q8104x from them.

I have just received an email from Tiger Direct - apparently they have Acer 8590G on back order and it should be available on 03/28/2011. Specs are somewhere in between q8102x and q8104x and it is only $1600 (+tax/shipping).

Hopefully, ToshibaDirect can refund my money in a timely manner for that botched q896 bait&switch that they tried to pull on me.

 

yes,you're right.i'm so confuse... i want to buy q8104x but i'm not sure amazon link( Amazon.com: Qosmio X505-Q8104 18.4-Inch Gaming Laptop (Omega Black): Computer & Accessories it x version or old not fixed chipset 8104.can u help me? i'm not living in U.S.and i cant contact to amazon.if it's x version,i'll buy it,exactly...

 

Amazon's q8104 listing has model # PQX34U-00N01T
Toshiba Direct has q8104x part # PQX34U-00N01T

Could be the real deal...

 

yes i think so but amazon link is called "the lcd panel is HD+".however q8104x's screen could be FHD.i'm really confuse

 

I'll be ordering my Qosmio q8102 tomorrow for $1499 + TAX. Costco just got them in today. Grabbing my check from work tomorrow morning, making deposit, and buying immediately after (my work and myself use Chase, so any check from Chase is immediately deposited).

Though the Costco webpage says "q8102", I contacted them today and they assured me it's the fixed version, and it's a brand new shipment they just received.


I should get it by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. I'll do a review soon thereafter!!!!

ONLY TOOK 8 WEEKS OF WAITING! TY INTEL!

 

Great news Alexmuw!!!!!

In your review, please compare to the old qosimo you had prior to SB.

 

Thanks Scanner! Been waiting way to long for it to come back.


Thought I would post this so people can rest easy. I checked Toshiba Support and the drivers page for q8102X. There's a new BIOS release [1.40 . Sandy Bridge BIOS] and it mentions:

Model Content Page

I'm hoping the Bolded area means the SB Qosmios are B3 stepping.

I'll find out soon enough.

 

Ah, fun. Wal-Mart's price on the 8104x, when they get it (whenever that is), is in the mid-$1600 range. That's attention-getting. There's also the q500-s1812x that is supposedly coming in the first week of April at a bunch of different places, also priced in the mid- to upper- $1600s.
Had a chance to look at two Qosmios, a q505-x894 (1680x945) and a q505-x890 (1920x1080). When using the same background made for each resolution, the difference was clear to me (and my wife, and my mother, and my brother, who were all there, and from whom I asked their opinions). We all independently thought that the one on the left (I didn't identify which was which beforehand), the x894, that it's picture was less precise and less "clear".
That's purely subjective -- but it does mean, specifically to me, that I'd be irritated by the 1680x945 on an 18.4" display (had no troubles with 1600x900 on a 17" display). this makes sense with what Notebookcheck had to say about laptop DPI -- there's a big difference across all these resolutions and sizes.
So, and again this is entirely subjective, I am stuck with the need to get a Qosmio that has a 1080p display. That limits me to the x8104, the 930 (Toshiba Direct), finding an x896 or x898, or x888/x890, or the unseen s1812.
Grrr....

 

There is a q898 refurb on ebay for only $1499