ASUS N51Vn-A1 15.6-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop - Silver Blue Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)REVISION: I've now had this computer for 5 months and I'd like to revise my earlier review. The notebook was fantastic until the power supply issues began. I've RMA'd the product back to Asus. However, they've had it for more than 3 weeks and are still waiting for parts. I can't imagine why they don't have parts on hand for a computer this recently manufactured. When I looked for a way to contact the company about my frustration at how long it's taking to get my computer returned, I realize that no addresses or "contact us" types of information is supplied on their unbelievably BAD website. When I call the customer service number given me with my RMA information, I am assured that they'll fix it as fast as they can, but the customer service reps won't give me an address, or connect me to a higher up so I can figure out what the hold-up is or how to get a replacement. I'm deeply disappointed in Asus--they were reputed to have the highest quality laptops ([...]) and very high customer service. Yet I'm reduced to venting about my unhappiness with them and their lousy product at Amazon!First impression review: Having very limited funds and a need for a solid laptop to last a few years, I did a lot of research into the best laptop for the money. I needed something quick and nimble to run various programs for animating and design work, and something utterly reliable, because I'm taking distance classes right now. I needed something that would still be versatile and functional 3 years from now, because I don't buy these things like potato chips. This computer fulfills all of those requirements beautifully. Perhaps anything would have been better than my 3 year old HP laptop, but the Asus seems especially quick--.pdf files open so fast I have to wonder about the laws of physics. It stays pretty cool. Vista wasn't even as bad as expected--though I appreciate the free Windows 7 trade-in.
Only one real problem: If you ever want to listen to anything without using headphones, forget it. I didn't take the warnings about lousy speakers seriously, and then I tried to watch a DVD with my kid on this thing. Simply COULD NOT be done--neither of us could hear, even with no background noise. Get external speakers! The only other problem I have had is that Vista installed funky at first and kept saying it was an unverified copy. I couldn't access the wireless network. After a websearch using a different computer, I found a quick fix and have had no other problems, crashes or freezes.
I purchased my Asus from the the Amazon seller J&R Music & Computer World, where it was dramatically discounted. It was actually so discounted that I was a little worried that they would send me the wrong model--that they must have made a mistake! No mistake, everything is correct. Moreover, they did a FANTASTIC job of packing and shipping. It think the computer itself was packed in something like 6 nested boxes, which may concern one on an environmental level, but I believe nuclear waste would have come through the mail safely in their packaging.

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The N51Vn provides users with a host of smart technologies that makes modern computing a breeze.Boasting a streamlined exterior with shiny metal-like inlaid patterns inspired by modernist art-deco, N Series notebooks deliver performance with style. With a 15.6 inch widescreen LCD you can enjoy a cinematic view while watching movies and playing games, while Altec Lansing speakers deliver clean, crisp and uncluttered audio. A Nvidia GeForce GT 240M Graphics Engine, with 1GB DDR3 dedicated video memory, provides seamless and smooth media performance.Face recognition technology provides convenient and secure logon without passwords.A chiclet keyboard along with a numeric keypad allows for a more comfortable computing experience.The notebook comes with the ASUS 360 service program that includes a 2 year global warranty, one month zero bright dot guaranty, free two-way standard overnight shipping and twenty-four hour tech support seven days a week.Plus it comes with a FREE One Year Accidental Damage Warranty protecting the notebook from drops, fire, spills and surges. The package contains 2 year warranty card, notebook, carry bag, and optical mouse.

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ASUS N61JQ-A1 16-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop (Dark Brown) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Just got this. Looked at it for a few days on [...] to get detailed specs and customer reviews before purchasing. I only bought it on amazon because the next day shipping was cheaper (about $[...]) and the computer itself was $[...] less on amazon.
Haven't pushed the pedal to the metal as far as ram, HDD, and CPU go. There is an overclocking speed (called Turbo Boost) that is automatic. With windows 7 (instaleld) the Turbo Boost app lets you see the CPU ramping up. It shows that the CPU rutinely goes up to 2.6 Ghz when opening an application (not very intensive work) so I am not sure how accurate the gadget is, but we'll see. When compared to what else is out there, this coputer has much more for your money and is actually cheaper than many laptops with less power/graphics capability/coolness. Look at the prices at Best Buy for an Core i3 laptop. They are nearly $1000 and don't have as much ram, video memory, or upgrade potential. This is a Core i7, much more powerful and is less than alot of the laptops out there. Plus, Asus has a 1 year accidental warranty. Tops!
Pros:
-Amazon said it would be Brown, mine was black when I got it. Brown is ugly anyway!
- You can create a recovery DVD to fix everything in the event you scrw something up. Also, has a bootup recovery option built in, so even if you don;t have the disks, it can be recovered.
- 1 year replacement/repair "i dropped it in a pool" warranty.
-Shipping. For the price of the computer, get the 30.00 next day. I order by 3:00PM on thursday and had the computer booted up at 3:15PM friday.
-Nice looking computer. Great sound. Great price. (You can get a lesser model without the i7 CPU from Best Buy for 999.00)
-USB 3.0 is nice touch. Cool touchpad with "gesture" recognition.
-I like the screen. The resolution is said to be a little low/poor for the machine, but I do not yet find it to be a problem. You can zoom in and out using the touchpad and gestureing, so if the icons look to big/small, you can change it up without messing with screen resolution. Basically, you can keep it in 1377x768 mode. HD screen looks good to me. Bright too.
-HDMI output! You can hook this thing up to your big ass HD flat screen.
- With Windows 7, some "gadgets" aka iphone style "apps" that can be installed to the desktop require 32bit. This computer has the 64bit Windows 7 so you have to do some playin around to get those gadgets to work. Pandora is one of those. However, you can have a applet for Pandor Radio on the desktop without needing an open internet explorer window. Cool!
- POwer saving one-touch button. NOt sure how effcient it is yet.
- So far, Windows 7 is not that bad. Yet. :)CONS:
- A lot of "bloatware" on this baby. You have to sort throught it all and see what you like/don;t like and uninstall whatever you can live without.
- At initial boot up, 80 processes running! Ouch. 33% of RAM in use. That's over a Gig. Trim down the fat and you should be good.
-The first time I launched the "See how cool this Asus computer is" demo, I needed to lower the volume. Whn I did so, the computer locked up, blaring a annoying sound. I had to hold th epower button for 4 sec to turn off manually. Not cool. After that though, all seems cool.
- The keyboard is a little cheap, has some play to it. Go to Best BUy and type on one of their floor models to see if it is bad for you or not. Not a deal breaker for me, but kinda lame. The "full size keyboard is not true, it is laptop sized with a number padd on the right. The arrow keys (if you play games or use spreadsheets) are small and you can easily miss them and hit the 0 or control key.
- With Windows 7, some "gadgets" aka iphone style "apps" that can be installed to the desktop require 32bit. This computer has the 64bit Windows 7 so you have to do some playin around to get those gadgets to work. Pandora is one of those. However, you can have a applet for Pandor Radio on the desktop without needing an open internet explorer window. Cool!
- A lot of Asus "this and that" programs to deal with. I uninstalled half of them.
BOTTOM LINE:
Buy it. Remove what you don't like. Great deal. If you were going to spend 800, drop an extra 2 bills and get this one. If you were going to spend 1200, save you money and get yourself a case for this one once you buy it.

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Enjoy true entertainment and real sound with the ASUS N61JQ. Equipped with Intel’s new Core i7-720QM processor and an ATI 5730 graphics engine with 1GB DDR3 VRAM, the N61JQ brings users true-to-life images for games, movies and videos. Dedicated resonance space arrangement provides sound layering and enhanced detail. With 2.5 watt TV standard sound output and a 21cc amplifier, the N61JQ improves and balances audio reproduction across different sonic ranges, particularly for vocals and low-band bass. Together with Altec Lansing speakers supported by SRS Premium Sound, the N61JQ provides crisp, clear audio reproduction and a truly surreal audio experience while on-the-go. A multi-touch touchpad allows users to scroll, rotate, as well as zooming-in and out while surfing the web or browsing multimedia intuitively. Lastly, the sunken-hinge design of the N61JQ provides a more comfortable view by providing users with a wider and more ergonomic viewing angle.The notebook comes with the ASUS 360 service program that includes a 2 year global warranty, one month zero bright dot guaranty, free two-way standard shipping, twenty-four hour tech support seven days a week, and a one year accidental damage warranty, protecting the notebook from drops, fire, spills and surge.

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Compaq Presario CQ62-220US Laptop PC Review

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(More customer reviews)First of all, I'm a gamer and advanced computer tech. My main rig is composed by X4 965, 4GB, 275GTX, 2 x 26" and some TB's (WD1002FAEX FTW!).
I need a computer for my school projects and really did not want to spend all my cash for a laptop I wouldn't use at 100% (No fancy quad core, 4GB, 500GB, or fancy video cards and fingerprint readers). I was about to get the 210US but compared both VGA, CPU and RAM and its so much more worth this 220US than its little sister.
Strenghts:
-Processor has quite a punch. If your API's are double core oriented, this lap will not slow down
-Enough RAM, come on 3GB are just fine, 4GB is better and anything beyond is overrated (if you need more, then u don't need this laptop)
-Video: By this I was truly amazed. I totally discarted any gaming on the laptop. However, just out of curiosity, I tried one of my fav. games (Company of Heroes). Everything Low & 1366x768 = 50~60fps. I COULDNT Believe it! I instantly started some panzer battles and it dropped to 36~45fps. VERY VERY Playable OMG!.
-Display is BEAUTIFUL! I own a T260HD & LN42B630 and it looks really great compared to them!.
-Speed: Overall very good speed. HDD somehow drags you down but its 5400rpm afterall...
Weakness:
-Case: Even though I think it looks cool, once you get closer, it really looks very very cheap and scratches very easely
-Touchpad: Its integrated in the case and there are no boundaries (physically, but the touchpad does have limits) so if you dont constantly keep an eye where the touchpad is, you wont find it by feeling it.
-Bloatware & Bundled SW. useless.
Extra:
- The mouse buttons ARE NOT HARD TO PRESS!. Ive tried the CQ60 and yes they were, but on the CQ62 they're smooth as butter!, less smooth than the DV6000 but seriously, who wants a DV6000 hehehe.
- No webcam :( but I already knew that.UPDATE (I've had it for 6++ months)
The laptop is still running strong (Hardware wise, Software wise that depends on you not on the laptop). I've came across many other laptops that are prettier (like Toshiba's) but they are much more expensive and come still with less hardware (many lack a good graphics card) than this CQ62-220US.
I'm impressed by how the price has maintained itself. Truly a great purchase!
PS. The Battery still holds very good and the charger is properly working :).

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Multitask more efficiently with the power of a dual-core processor and 3GB of memory. The affordable Compaq Presario CQ62-220US Notebook PC is function-forward with style made simple. Convenient one-touch keys give you fast access to email, the Web and other common applications. This Compaq laptop also looks great with the fingerprint-resistant, textured HP Imprint finish in matte black. Watch videos and view photos easily on the 15.6-inch diagonal High-Definition HP BrightView LED display, plus save power with this ENERGY STAR qualified product.Enjoy everyday computing for a great value.

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Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q898 18.4-Inch Laptop (Fusion Finish in Omega Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This product deserves 4.5 stars. It is almost perfect but for the small SSD supplied.
I have used laptops of various sizes, 12" to 15" and now 18.4".
I was looking for a laptop which had a fantastic keyboard (ala "Lenovo") and sufficient GPU power for the latest games. Not that I'm a hardcore gamer but I was looking for a new laptop which could last longer (in terms of obsolescence) as nowadays it is the GPU rather than the CPU which determines whether or not your laptop is capable of running games.
Without further ado, here's the reasons why I bought this unit. No offence to owners of the other brands but I had to eliminate other popular choices due to the reasons below. I actually narrowed down my final choice of a new laptop to either SAGER or TOSHIBA.
PROS
1. Keyboard
A full keyboard (backlit!) is provided along with a full numberpad.
For me, the keyboard design was really important. I have used a Lenovo Thinkpad laptop before and their keyboards were (and still are) really the best for typing.
Yes, even better than this unit.
H/w, this Toshiba unit has the edge over Alienware and SAGER/CLEVO units where the keyboard is concerned. I actually went to a real store to check out the Alienware laptops but just did not like the feel of their keyboards. I also do not like the way SAGER/CLEVO removed some of the keys on their numberpad.
BTW, the MSI GX/GT 660 series deserves honorable mention for their keyboard design. I like the look on it. H/W some reviewers have claimed that there is a certain amount of flex, hence I did not go for the MSI units.
2. Battery Life
Granted, most people would not move a desktop replacement unit around much. H/w, this unit is listed as being able to last 3hr 47mins on battery power.
I have tested this unit, running on battery, it lasted 1hr 35mins with maximum LCD brightness settings. I have no doubt that it could really reach 3 hrs + if I had run on the Toshiba ECO mode with a dimmer lcd setting.
This was also the reason why I rejected the SAGER units as they can only last about 47mins from the online reviews I have read. ok, desktop replacement units are not meant to be moved around, but a laptop, IMHO, should be able to function normally for at least 1.5 hrs on battery and not treat the battery as a "UPS".
3. NVIDIA GTX 460M
This GPU is really fantastic!
I managed to get an average framerate of 31FPS for BATMAN AA GOTY with all the graphics settings maxed out. Yes, even with 16x Anti-aliasing! ha ha :) That's how smooth it is!
And this was running under the 18.4 inch laptop screen at native 1920 x 1080 resolution!
Had the new MSI gaming unit with the 460M been available at the time that I bought this Toshiba, I would not have eliminated such an option from my short-list.
4. Sound system
This unit comes with Harmon Kardon speakers.
Again, SAGER was edged out on this factor.
5. Build Quality
For me, aesthetics are not that important. Hence I was willing to consider either the SAGER line of laptops.
This Toshiba unit is very well made. The keyboard does not have any flex. The handrest portion beneath the keyboard has a special smooth glossy feel to it, and it is akin to marble. Typing on this keyboard really makes you enjoy using the product. :)
The trackpad is also very well made and responsive. The buttons are firm.
The laptop itself is a work of art! The Japanese aesthetics really shows with the black laptop and red trimmings. The Trackpad and media control buttons on the left are also illuminated in red led.
I read many horror stories (motherboard dying and bad servicing) about the ASUS G73 line of laptops, hence I regretfully had to eliminate that from my consideration. To be fair, the G73 series supposedly has less problems with the new 460M Nvidia GPU as compared with the ATI 5870 GPU but I just did not want to take the risk of being subjected to the horrible after-sales service of ASUS. You can google this to find out more.
6. 18.4" FHD screen
Yes, this comes with a blu-ray player which works very well with the Full 1080HD screen.
Given the limited space on my desk, I needed a laptop with the largest screen possible. This fit the bill exactly.
7. SSD Boot Drive
The SSD boot drive really makes a difference.
Imagine being able to boot up in less than 30secs.
Windows 7 shutdown only takes 10s.
BTW, I checked the SSD drive for SSD alignment issues, I am glad to report that the SSD drive supplied by Toshiba fresh from the factory does not have any SSD alignment issues.
8. CPU
The Intel i7 740 seems to be able to handle multi-tasking very well. I can open up many other programs whilst running 64 bit Adobe CS5 Photoshop smoothly.
CONS
1. Weight
This laptop is not as portable as a 15.6 incher. So if portability is really required by you, I'd suggest that you look for a smaller laptop.
2. SSD only 64GB
You will have to install progams into the 500GB secondary HDD.
The 64GB boot drive is really only meant for that purpose.
If only Toshiba used a 128GB SSD, this would have been perfect. Hence my giving the laptop 4 stars.
I have no doubt that I will have to carry out a personal upgrade of the primary SSD to one which is at least 128GB in size very soon.
3. Lack of Customisation
One of the reasons why such a high quality product can be sold so cheaply is due to mass production.
Unfortunately, this means that you, the customer, cannot get a laptop according to your required specs. I had to carry out a personal upgrade of the RAM to 8GB because I needed it for Photoshop CS5 for photo editing.
Likewise for my point about the SSD above. If only Toshiba allowed customers to buy one unit with a 128 or 160 GB SSD.
Final Words
To any SAGER owners out there, please don't take this review the wrong way. I'm not trying to be one of those "my dad is bigger than your dad" type of reviewer.
Despite my misgivings, I really do admire the SAGER line of laptops for their build quality, reputation and latest technology employed at an affordable price. My final shortlisted choices were either a SAGER or this Toshiba unit. If only SAGER/CLEVO keyboard designs were improved, I might have bought one of their units instead of the Toshiba.
Likewise for those ASUS G73 owners. I really do admire the stealth fighter inspired design and basic specs. H/W, I read too many horror stories from G73 online owners' lounges about ASUS products. Hence I decided not to take the risk of buying an ASUS G73 gaming laptop.
[P.S. Edited on 17th March 2011]
1. USB 3.0
For those who are interested, it is possible to add USB 3.0 functionality via the following USB 3.0 expresscard.
"AKE expresscard Express To USB 3.0 FL1000 34mm" with ASIN: B0046Y3INC.
I confirm that this expresscard works with the Toshiba Laptop.
This expresscard does not protrude out of the expresscard slot and so it is highly recommended.
2. Latest NVIDIA drivers
The latest NVIDIA drivers v267.24, despite being a beta driver, can be installed onto this laptop. It is also very stable.
This NVIDIA driver was released during March 2011 and was meant to provide improved performance for the game Dragon Age 2.
I confirm that the graphics under DA2 seem to run slightly better with this driver.
BTW, I finally installed the GPU demanding game, Crysis 1, on my machine. This laptop can handle the maximum graphics settings with no problem whatsoever.
Any laptop which can do so really deserves the moniker of "Gaming laptop"!!!

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Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q898: Hard-Core Gaming, Brilliant Graphics
Amplify your 3D gaming and video editing with incredibly fast frame rates with the Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q898 gaming laptop, which features a stunning 18.4-inch display--with true 1080p high-def resolution--and the Intel Core i7 processor with four cores of intelligent processing power. Additionally, it offers ultra-fast DDR3 system memory and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M graphics with 1.5 GB of GDDR5 video memory. Together, this pairing of high-performance technologies allow you to rip through the latest 3D games at lightning-fast frame-rates or create high-definition video and audio faster and more efficiently with smooth rendering and encoding.
The Toshiba Qosmio X505 features a striking design on the outside and is packed with premium technologies on the inside (see larger image).

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Toshiba Satellite M645-S4080 14.0-Inch LED Laptop ( Fusion X2 Finish in Charcoal) Review

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(More customer reviews)pros
+ backlit keyboard
+ amazing speakers (like, best I've heard on a laptop, amazing (though my new xps 14 is at least equal to these)
+ circular scrolling is extremely effective
+ high resolution hdmi out
+ nice slot loading dvd drive
+ FN keys accessible from the screen with the mouse
+ boots very quickly if you enable it
cons
-extraordinarily loud fan
* fan turns on at a high power level even when laptop is idle
-keyboard keys occasionally (often) fail
-extremely limited viewing angles
Update: I've since purchased a dell xps 14, and It has the gt420m that this was originally advertised as having. Having tested both the 420 far outperforms the 330 in real-world testing.

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Toshiba Satellite M645: Easy Portability with 14-Inch HD Screen
Combining great portability, generous battery life and modern style in a slim, eco-smart package, the Toshiba Satellite M645-S4080 is sized to travel while providing powerful computing resources for all of your needs--work, learning and play. The 14-inch LED-backlit display offers HD TruBrite technology for optimal image clarity, widescreen aspect ratio for watching letterboxed movies and extra desktop working space, and native 720p high-definition resolution for watching downloaded HD video.
Made for mobility, this Toshiba M645 features a 14-inch high-definition screen and weighs 5.4 pounds (see larger image).

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Toshiba Satellite A505-S6030 TruBrite 16.0-Inch Laptop (Black/Silver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This computer is an absolute great price for what it offers, and it delivers. I am a photographer who needed to upgrade to a computer with a faster processor and one that could handle the workload I put on it with CS4, and this one is great. Compared to my old laptop, this one zips right through loading enormous raw images and and processing in photoshop with ease. I spent a while looking to find a computer that offered everything this one does in a price range I could afford and also had a bigger screen size. My old laptop was a 17", so this one was a little bit of a downgrade in regards to screen size, but its still good enough and an acceptable trade off for the specs of the computer itself. I also do a bit of gaming, WOW particularly, and it runs better than my husband's computer in regards to graphics..which he isn't necessarily too happy with. :)
As for two other reviews about some negative aspects of the laptop:
One reviewer mentioned the DVD drive was extremely noisy. It is a little loud, I will attest to that, but I wouldn't say anywhere near as loud as I took from their review. I did not find it overly disturbing or distracting, and I could certainly hear the sound of the music or movie I was playing over it.
Another reviewer mentioned how he hated the computer because of the keyboard. I think the keyboard is great. I have no trouble feeling which key is which. Its bigger than normal though, or maybe, just the letter/numbers on each key are bigger than normal. I felt like I had ordered something designed for an older person or someone who may not be able to see well at first glance because of the size of the letters. The "L" is approx. 4-5cm long. So that was something I sort of laughed about at first, but now I don't notice it at all. I am picky about how my 'keyboard' feels, and normally would go to store and test out all the laptops, and if the keystroke didn't feel good to me, I would reconsider a purchase of any particular laptop. But I really like this keyboard, and I like the back-lighting, which I didn't have previously.
Overall, I think this computer is a steal what what you are getting.

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Toshiba Satellite A505: 16-Inch Screen for Mobile HD EntertainmentReplace your desktop PC with the Toshiba Satellite A505-S6030, which features a 16-inch diagonal HD TruBrite widescreen LED-backlit display, touchpad with multi-touch control, and a dual-layer DVD±RW drive that burns CDs and offers Labelflash print functionality. The bright 16-inch LCD (1366 x 768) offers a true 16:9 aspect ratio and 720p native high-definition resolution, and the A505 is great for using as a media center with the touch-sensitive media keys placed above the keyboard.And it's sure to stand out in the crowd thanks to the stunning Fusion Finish in Quantum Black.
The A505's brilliant high-gloss Fusion finish in Quantum Black is sure to turn heads.

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ASUS G51VX-RX05 15.6-Inch Laptop (Refurbished) Review

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(More customer reviews)I recived this ASUS G51VX-RX05 in the mail today. So far i am very impressed with this product.
Visually very appealing. White top with side and logo LED's.
Functionality-
The keyboard is very flat feeling with not much depth. The keys have a squishy feeling, while seemed to be placed in the right spots. have hit the wrong key a few times (specificaly the backspace key)
The reason i only gave this laptop a 4 star is that i orderd a new laptop but recived a Refurbished one instead.
On that note it came with two recovery disks and a driver disk.
everything was in new condition just missing the original box.
Im very happy with this purchanse but beware you will not be getting a "NEW" Laptop.

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Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Premium 64-bit with Service Pack 1. Precessor: Intel Core 2 P7350. Precessor Speed: 2. 0GHz. Precessor Cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. Bus Speed: 1066MHz. Memory: 4 GB System Memory(DDR2 800). Max supported: 4 GB. Video Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M with 1GB GDDR3. Memory Hard Drive: 320GB SATA (7200RPM). Multimedia Drive: SuperMulti DVDRW drive. Display: 15. 6” HD (1366x768) Widescreen LED backlight LCD Webcam: 1. 3MP Microphone: Yes. Facial Recognition: Yes. Network Card: Integrated 10/100 Mbps. Fast Ethernet Wireless Option: Integrated Intel 802. 11b/g/n. Digital Media: MMC/SD/Mini-SD/XD/Memory Stick/MS Pro/ MS-Duo/MS-Pro-Duo. Audio: Stereo, built-in Azalia Compliant Audio Chip. Keyboard: Illuminant chicklit keyboard. Pointing Device: 16:9 wide touchpad. External Notebook Ports: 1 VGA port (D-sub 15-pin) 4 USB 2. 0 ports 1 LAN RJ-45 1 IEEE1394 Firewire jack 1 HDMI 3 Audio Jacks (Headphone out/Microphone in/Line-In) 1 Card reader 1 SATA Finish: Glossy White, Republic of Gamers Emblem, Black Dimensions: 14. 76"(L) x 10. 43"(W) x 1. 35 1. 60"(D), Weight: 7. 28lbs. Battery: 2 Hours and 7 Minutes, 6-Cell 2. 4 AH Lithium-ion. Warranty and Support: Limited 90 Day Warranty. Security and Support: , ASUS AI Recovery , ASUS Data Security Manager , ASUS LifeFrame 3 , ASUS Live Update Utility , ASUS Power 4 Gear Hybrid Norton Internet Security 2008 , ASUS Smart Logon Producitivity and Finance: Adobe Acrobat Reader 8, CyberLink Power2Go Nero 8 Essentials.

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Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q870 TruBrite 18.4-Inch Gaming Laptop Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This review is broken into several parts for those that would like an in depth review, or would like to know specific details.
Seller: Best Custom P.C. LLC
As soon as Amazon allows me to, this company will be receiving five stars. They are the best company that I have ever dealt with (this includes offline stores as well.) They answered all of my questions quickly, and were polite and personable in their responses. I received a handwritten thank you note with my order (I ask you, when have you EVER received a hand written anything from a business, much less from the owner?)The system they sell you is double checked by two computer professionals, and everything is tested. They ship quickly, and are one of the few third party vendors that will provide you with tracking information.
Qosmio x505-870:
General:
First off know what you are getting into. This machine is not some cute little Vaio. Don't misunderstand me it looks awesome, but when Toshiba says desktop replacement they MEAN desktop replacement. To put this in perspective I have a Macbook Air which is a thirteen inch laptop. I can literally put it on the Qosmio in the upper right hand corner and it will come to the "w" key to halfway down the touchpad. To put it another way, I can open the Mac's screen and still watch a youtube video behind it on the Qosmio's monitor. There for, I don't understand some of the other reviews where they complain that it is heavy. This isn't a netbook. It isn't completely immovable though. Just understand this thing is HUGE, and lugging it around isn't going to be fun for long walks in Manhattan. The keyboard is backlit, and full sized with a numeric pad. On your left there are touch media keys that I like. Again, I have read some complaints that they are too easy to hit and I do not understand this either. Unless you are terribly uncoordinated or your hands are the size of Kobe's I don't know how you will hit them accidently. The battery has 12 cells, and with Eco mode will last a good amount of time for a machine this large (3 hours give or take.)
Parts:
The monitor is clear and crisp with a 16:9 ratio, the keyboard is snappy and comfortable, and the speakers are great for a laptop. The i7 processor is a beast, but the Qosmio handles the heat easily. I have yet to feel it get hot at all ( and I do use it as a "lap" top.) It has 4GB of RAM @ 1066MHz which is not the fastest, but good enough for just about anything you'll throw at it. The Blu-ray player is a steal for the price, and will flash labels onto burned DVDs (does NOT burn Blu-ray.) Computer has three USB ports, an eSATA/USB port with sleep/charge for your phone. One firewire 400 port, Bluetooth, one HDMI port,10/100/1000 ethernet, 5 in 1 memory card reader, PCI slot, and 2nd hard drive bay for another HD. Hard drive is a 500GB @ 7200 rpm. My only nitpick is the touchpad, it supports multi touch, but is tiny. However, wireless mice aren't really expensive, and the pad isn't horrible, just kind of out of place (The ones on the Macbooks are about twice as big). This is an amazing piece of hardware, and if you want a powerful computer this is your machine.

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This Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q870 Notebook PC features a Intel Core i7 720QM 1.6GHz Quad Core processor, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M graphics, 500GB 7200RPM hard drive, Blu-ray Disc ROM and DVD SuperMulti drive with Labelflash supporting 12 formats and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. Armed with those extraordinary components, the new Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q870 Notebook PC will create a world filled with spectacular multimedia entertainment.

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Gateway P-7805u FX Edition Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Ok, first let me start by saying that in the past I would never have considered purchasing a Gateway. I had always thought of them as the Packard Bell of today (although Packard Bell still operates very successfully in Europe). Anyway, I found a refurb for this laptop on the cheap on Ebay and decided to take a chance. I was VERY impressed with it's performance and battery life and I added a SSD hard drive for the OS to further boost performance. The laptop also qualified for the free Windows 7 upgrade from Gateway and runs wonderfully on this machine.
It wasn't without a bit of pain however, as it came with some odd graphics problems. It would seem to randomly freeze and create odd distortions on the screen at times, although it would run high-end games such as Crysis just fine. The lock ups would tend to happen when it was doing something simple such as watching a clip on Youtube or typing up a document. This began to happen LOTS during the course of a day and I was starting to get really upset about it. After weeks of searching and driver updates I finally found a post on [...] about this issue, and as it turns out the problem is being caused by an issue in the video card when it tries to go into a low-power state when you aren't taxing it with a game or some other high-end function. This is when the freezes would occur. The fix is to visit [...] and download the desktop version of the drive in addition to a modified .inf file. After installing these you go into the nVidia Control Panel, then into the 3D Settings and under the Global setting change "Power management mode" to "prefer maximum performance". Additionally, I went back into the Program Settings tab and changed the same setting for each program listed, as I did occaisionally still have a problem with it feezing up once in a while. Since that time I have not experienced a single freeze or crash and I still can get a bit over 3 hours of battery life out of it.
Of course right after I get this fixed Gateway releases the new version of this laptop with the 260 graphics card, but as this laptop runs Crysis just fine I think I will be ok!
If Amazon bleeps the links above please just search Google for "9800M GTS gpu instability in gateway p-7805u fx laptop" and it should be the top result.

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# Built-in multimedia buttonsLets you quickly control your music and movies. Integrated 10-key number pad for easier computing.# Built-in 1.3-megapixel webcamMakes it easy to chat with and send video mail to family and friends. Capture still photos and video clips.# 5-in-1 media readerSupports Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD-Picture Card formats.# IEEE 1394 FireWire port and 3 USB 2.0 portsFor fast digital video, audio and data transfer.# Built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN with RJ-45 connector and V.92 high-speed modemFor flexible wired Web connectivity options.# Weighs 9.1 lbs. and measures 1.7" thinFor portable power.# Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64-bit operating systemWith Service Pack 1 (SP1) preinstalled provides a stable computing platform# Software package includedWith Microsoft Works 9.0, Essentials; Adobe Reader 9.0; Cyberlink Power2Go, LabelPrint and more included. 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 included.

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Toshiba Satellite L675D-S7016 17.3-Inch Laptop (Fusion Finish in Helios Grey) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this item from another place other than Amazon. It is a replacement for the previous laptop I owned. This is a good student computer, it runs fast, has a good clear picture, holds a charge well for a large screen. It would not be a good gaming computer. The drawback I have with it is that it only has 2 USB ports and I had to purchase an extra USB that will allow me to charge my iPhone, plug in my mouse receiver, and plug in my jump drive all at the same time.
This computer is amazingly lightweight for its size and has a thin profile. Overall it is a good computer that is fairly portable for the student on the go.

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Manufacturer #PSK3JU-01D001 processor brandAMD processor modelTurion II Dual-Core diagonal screen size17.3 inches memory4 GB hard drive capacity320 GB screen resolution1600 x 900 weight6.6 lb optical driveDVD±RW/DVD-RAM/DVD±R Double Layer operating systemWindows 7 Home Premium 64-bit processor speed2.3 GHz memory speedPC3-8500 memory typeDDR3 SDRAM maximum memory capacity8 GB wireless connectivity802.11b/g/n network connectivity10/100 Ethernet modemno modem webcam with microphoneyes numeric keypadyes ports2 USB 2.0; 1 eSATA/USB 2.0; 1 Ethernet; 1 VGA 15-pin D-sub memory card readeryes video graphicsATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250 Graphics with 256MB-1405MB shared memory integrated speakersyes audio hardwareDolby Advanced Audio Energy Star qualifiedyes FM tunerno peripherals includednone warranty length1-year limited model nameSatellite L675D-S7016 brand nameToshiba manufacturerToshiba EPEAT levelgold meets U.S. government environmental standardsyes postconsumer recycled content0 % total recycled content0 %

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ASUS G53JW-3DE Republic of Gamers 3D 15.6-Inch Gaming Laptop (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First of all I'm used to purchasing gaming laptops, but I don't favor brand names or anything.. I always look for the best deal out there. After owning an MSI-GT627 for more than a year I wanted to upgrade since hardware has evolved a lot since then (what else is new right). With all the 3d craze all around I got curious about 3d enabled laptops (and I had already heard about nvidia 3d vision) and found good reviews for the ASUS G51JX-3DE. So I went ahead and ordered one and I got hooked to 3d gaming!! The laptop was great (performance), form factor was not so great (more uncomfortable than g53) and it came with a faulty hdmi port so I had to return it. I did more research and found out about the ASUS G53JW-3DE which was to release soon (like a couple of months ago when I was still looking). I decided to wait for it and pre-ordered from amazon because if I purchase a laptop online I rather get it from big stores which tend to be more trustworthy (in case of returns etc). Ok so thats the story, now to the good part:
This laptop just rocks!!!!
It IS a powerhouse... it will run anything at high settings (without 3d enabled) and it won't even stutter when enabling 3d vision (the G51 kinda stuttered (lagged a bit) in some games like LostPlanet2 when I enabled 3d vision). It is well known that there is a performance hit once you enable 3d vision but if there is one laptop that can put up with that is this one.
Another reason why I decided to wait for this laptop when I did is because it is directx 11 compatible (which means it comes with the latest technology out there). Like I said, spec-wise this computer is just top of the line and it delivers.
Now on to the design .. which I think is nothing short than revolutionary!! (no im not an asus rep trying to sell.. lol) I really mean this. I first had seen the G57 (and its good reviews) but I dont know if you can call that a laptop anymore lol (its huge!). So that was one more reason for waiting for the g53! Here is the thing, the vents on the back of the laptop just work.. gone are the days of putting up with heat issues and burning your hands.. NO MORE! Like I said I'm used to purchasing gaming laptops and this is by far the best design I've seen, it is just incredible how they tackled the heating issues and the stealth fighter concept is cool too!!
If you have researched this computer you prob already know about all its other features (lighted keyb, full keyb (w/numeric), webcam, face recognition, 1usb3.0 etc etc) (which are also great) so I focused on performance and design.
It is also worth mentioning that I have already tried playing a bluray 3d movie on this computer and it worked flawlessly (with 3rd party software).
I know you also want to know if there is anything negative about this computer, well there are some aspects that could be improved but didn't affect my rating for it. But for the record:
- Maximum screen resolution is hd only (720p). This is kind of a given at this point for 3d capable screens so there's not much they can do. But I'm sure full hd 3d capable screens will start to show up soon (if they havent). To me this was no biggie cause I've had full hd screens on a 15'' laptop before and I actually lowered the res because everything looked 2 small. I also hook up my computer to my 42'' lcd and I can run everything at FULL-HD if i want to that way too (without 3d until i get a 3d compatible tv).
- No ExpressCard port. Yeah I know this sucks.. i was like what??!!! I have an expresscard tv card (that didn't get a lot of use but still). I was considering taking 1 star just because of this but then you have to remember it does come with a USB 3.0 port.. I guess you can't have everything.
- AC adapter a little bit on the big side. This is not a big deal really but it adds to the weight and it might be worth mentioning.
And that's all I can think of right now.. if anything I will update the review.. so there you have it.. If you're looking for a 3d gaming capable laptop, this one is top of the line (a little bit pricey but well worth the money).. if 3d is not what you're looking for then look for other variations of the G53 which are cheaper.


Click Here to see more reviews about: ASUS G53JW-3DE Republic of Gamers 3D 15.6-Inch Gaming Laptop (Black)

15.6" HD (1366x768) LED/Intel Core i7-740QM (1.73GHz Quad-Core)/6GB DDR3 RAM/NVidia GTX 460M 1.5G GDDR5 VRAM/750GB HDD (7200RPM)/Blu-Ray Combo Drive/Illuminated Keyboard/Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit)/802.11BGN/2.0M Pixel/Bluetooth/8 Cell battery/Gaming backpack and Gaming Mouse included/3D Vision Glasses included/1 USB 3.0 port/3 USB 2.0 ports/8-in-1 card reader/2YR Global warranty/1YR Accidental Damage Warranty/30-Day Zero Bright Dot/2-way FREE shipping/24-7 tech support

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Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q887 TruBrite 18.4-Inch Laptop (Black/Red) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Just got it today and I updated the windows and installed Starcraft 2 (the real reason why I purchased this laptop). It's so so sweet. I'm playing Starcraft on ... high? NOPE. It's running on ULTRA with no problems. Actually, the graphics look so crisp and clear that it's kind of hard to see where your units are because they blend into the reflections and shadows of the surrounding so well. Haven't had a lot of units on screen, thanks to my SC skills, so I haven't seen if it causes the laptop to lag or not. I have a Macbook Pro and the bottom gets hot, so I order a laptop cooler for this laptop just in case (hasn't arrive yet). This laptop doesn't feel hot yet though. Not after 2 hours of SCing. Anyways, it's about 20lbs so I wouldn't put it on my lap anyways, if you're concerned about that.
Pros: Fast; everything pre-installed; excellent "pc." I say PC because this laptops way faster than my current gaming PC, granted, the gaming PC is 5 years old and a lot cheaper. Speakers are awesome. You can feel the vibrations flowing through the laptop. I moved the laptop a little and this HDD protection thing went off. With these huge speakers, I'm surprise that HDD protection thing doesn't go off more often due to the vibration from the speakers. I feel like I need to break in the speakers, they're that big and loud!
Cons: The audio buttons on the left side ... I have hit it a few times playing SC. You know, using the CTRL+number to assign groups. Or even while ALT+tabbing. Why didn't they put it on the right side, after the num pad? Or above the top? I don't know. Anyways, I've just been hitting the volume buttons, no biggie. Of course, extra Toshiba/Etc. software. I deleted some. Some might be useful, who knows? I'll run a few of them later to see. I use a wireless mouse instead of the touch pad. But from my short usage of the touch pad... it seems small. The one on my Macbook Pro is like three times bigger. Anyways, because I'll be using this laptop for gaming, I'll need a mouse, so it's not an issue to me. You can turn the touchpad on and off with a button right above the touch pad, if you wanted to know.
Pro or Con, your choice: This laptop is massive! You've probably need a backpack or suitcase to transport it. I knew 18.4" was big but damn, once you see it, it's freaking huge. It's be like carrying a 20" LCD TV around with you. Compared to the Qosmio 890, this one only has 4 GB of memory (and no SSD, it's a small SSD anyways, so who cares.). Haven't had a problem with my gaming ... anyways, I was playing to upgrade to 8 GB later anyways, but only if there was a game requiring it. Why buy extra memory if you don't need it?

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Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q887: Hard-core Gaming, Brilliant Graphics
Amplify your 3D gaming and video editing with incredibly fast frame rates with the Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q887 gaming laptop, which features a stunning, high-definition 18.4-inch display and the Intel Core i7 processor with four cores of intelligent processing power. Additionally, it offers ultra-fast DDR3 system memory and the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M graphics with 1 GB of GDDR5 video memory. Together, this pairing of high-performance technologies allow you to rip through the latest 3D games at lightning-fast frame-rates or create high-definition video and audio faster and more efficiently with smooth rendering and encoding.

The Qosmio X505 features Toshiba's striking Fusion Finish in Omega Black with stylish red chrome accents and a comfortable full keyboard with LED Backlighting and numeric 10-key pad. An intuitive touchpad with multi-touch control enables greater flexibility to browse and control what's happening on-screen with gesture-commands--including two-finger pinch, swipe, rotate and scroll.

It also includes a 1.3 megapixel webcam with Face Recognition capabilities for added security. And if you're using one laptop for several users--say for the whole family or for a small business--Toshiba Face Recognition lets you switch profiles with one simple look.

This Qosmio comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version).



Key Features
18.4-inch high-definition TruBrite display with 1680 x 945 resolution for amazing color depth and clarity and native 720p (HD+) support.


1.73 GHz Intel Core i7-740QM processor (with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.93 GHz) delivers maximum processing power in response to peak demands. Intel's Turbo Boost technology maximizes speed for demanding applications, dynamically accelerating performance to match your workload--providing more performance when you need it the most. It also comes equipped with Intel HD Graphics--an advanced video engine that delivers smooth, high-quality HD video playback, and advanced 3D capabilities, providing an ideal graphics solution for everyday computing.


500 GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 RPM)


4 GB of DDR3 RAM (upgradeable to 8 GB) gives you the bandwidth you need to get the most of today's popular software, multitask all day long and run applications without a glitch.


NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M with 1 GB GDDR5 discrete graphics memory offers what gamers want most--hyper-realistic action with intense 3D visuals, plus vibrant, lifelike scenes and dynamic character effects--thanks to NVIDIA's PhysX technology. It goes beyond everyday gaming with built-in CUDA technology to speed demanding system tasks, like video playback and HD movie editing. You'll also enjoy up to a 50 percent improvement over previous generation mobile graphics processors, and a more rewarding Windows 7 experience with accelerated video and image processing (2298 MB total available graphics memory).


Watch Blu-ray Disc movies in crystal clear resolution with the read-only Blu-ray drive; also supports reading/writing of CD-R/RW, DVD±R, DVD±RW, DVD±R DL, and DVD-RAM The drive also offers Labelflash printing, which enables you to personalize your discs and keep them looking attractive and organized with direct-to-disc laser printing.


Wireless Connectivity
With its integrated Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking capabilities, this laptop provides up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range using 802.11n-compatible routers as you would with 802.11g networks. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found at Wi-Fi hotspots and in older home routers.
With integrated Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity, you can communicate and synchronize wirelessly with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as printers and cell phones.



Harman Kardon stereo speakers bring an added dimension to music, movies and gaming with rich, immersive virtual surround sound.
Dolby Home Theater suite of technologies delivers virtual surround sound from stereo speakers or any pair of headphones.


Included Toshiba Software:
Toshiba Media Controller offers simplified media sharing. Using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, it lets you share videos, music and pictures from the media library on your laptop with compatible devices in your home entertainment network, or with other compatible laptops and devices, like an Xbox 360 game console. And you can do it all without moving equipment, burning discs or fumbling with cables.
Toshiba Bulletin Board is an easy-to-use organizational and productivity app that lets you build your own personalized space on your desktop. With Toshiba Bulletin Board, you can quickly and easily manage your to-do lists and calendars, plus create your own custom work area by pinning your favorite photos, documents, links and more.
Toshiba ReelTime helps you cut down the time it takes to search for files. The easy-to-use app takes traditional text-based file structures one step further to help you find what you're looking for more quickly. Accessible from your taskbar, it shows you a visual timeline of your recently accessed files--using graphical thumbnails--so you can easily identify and get to your files faster.



Included Toshiba Utilities:
Toshiba eco Utility makes it easy to go green as you go mobile. Hit the Eco Button and you'll launch the Toshiba Eco Utility, which puts all sorts of easy-to-read information on your screen, and gives you the ability to adjust the power settings on your laptop. It also activates a light showing you're in the Eco Mode. The Toshiba Eco Utility lets you pick the optimal power plan for your situation. Choose High-Performance when you need every watt you can get, Power Saver for the least energy consumption, or Balanced as a perfect blend of the two.
USB Sleep and Charge offers a great way to keep your portable electronics powered up without requiring your laptop to be on. With this laptop's Sleep and Charge USB port, you'll be able to charge your smart phone, MP3 player, and other portable electronics--all without having to keep your laptop awake.
Hard Drive Impact Sensor takes the worry out of taking your most important files and multimedia on the go. Able to detect sudden movement along three different dimensions, the impact sensor (a complex system of hardware and software) helps safeguard your data by "parking" the hard drive heads in the event of a drop or sudden movement. And it works faster than you can blink to help protect your laptop and all-important data.



Up to 3.75 hours of battery life (12-cell battery; 87 Wh)


Dimensions & Weight: 17.4 x 11.6 x .63 inches (WxDxH); 9.7 pounds



Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

And with Windows Anytime Upgrade, you'll be able to add new features to your PC in as little as 10 minutes. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process, it requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings



What's in the box
This package contains the Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q887 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions.

It also comes with the following software:
Norton Internet Security 2010 (30-day trial); Microsoft Works 9; Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Edition (60-day trial); Google Toolbar; Microsoft Windows Media Player 12; Microsoft Silverlight; Toshiba PC Health Monitor; Toshiba Online Backup (30-day trial)
This laptop is backed by a 1-year limited hardware warranty.

Environmental Specifications
Energy Star 5.0 certified
Gold EPEAT designation for meeting standards to help reduce its environmental impact.
RoHS compliant effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances

Learn more about Toshiba's environmental commitment.

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25th Anniversary of Toshiba Laptops
This year, Toshiba celebrates its 25th anniversary of innovations and quality in the notebook PC business. Beginning with the launch of the Toshiba T1100, the world's first clamshell-type, fully functional laptop PC, Toshiba has led the with such innovations as the first laptop with a color monitor in 1991 and a laptop with integrated CD-ROM drive in 1995 (followed by the addition of a DVD drive in 1998). And in 2009, Toshiba unveiled the world's first ultraportable laptop with 512GB solid state drive.

Today, Toshiba continues to be a leader in eco-friendly manufacturing, with virtually all of its consumer laptops earning EPEAT Gold status for meeting standards that help reduce overall environmental impact.

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Toshiba Satellite A665-3DV8 15.6-Inch LED Laptop (Fusion X2 Finish in Charcoal) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is my second Toshiba laptop.With my previous Toshiba Satellite I had only positive experience.I have also 2 HP laptops(with AMD CPUs) and one MAC PRO Pro machine.Due bad experience with both HP laptops my decision was to buy PC laptop Toshiba.I got really bad experience from January this year when I got my new A665 Satellite 3DV8.I paid money for nothing.The issues starts at the very beginning of operation.NVIDIA GPU control panel window disappeared during my first session of use.Later when I had internet access after automatic software updates-BIOS,WINDOWS 7and e.t.c. laptop starts doing strange things.During switching from normal operation to screen saver,screen saver must be active however screen became totally black and it was impossible to wake up laptop.This was followed by restarting WINDOWS 7 with error messages than again same story.During updates of NVIDIA drivers was happen also troubles.Existing drivers were removed automatically during installation of newest driver's version however followed by error messages during installation.With other words instead of installing via automatic updates NVIDIA GE FORCE GTS 350M GPU drivers old existing driver disappeared.i am guessing that all my issues came from WINDOWS 7 updates BIOS updates and and NVIDIA updates.The biggest issue for me know is that I am out of the States 5000 miles and I have to search local Toshiba authorized re-seller for assistance.I will not recommend same Toshiba laptop for purchase.Still I have MAC PRO with me working without any problems and performing very good.

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Toshiba Satellite A665-3DV: True Stereoscopic 3D Multimedia Entertainment
Enjoy premium sights and sounds as you take your 3D games to a whole new dimension with the Toshiba Satellite A665 3D edition laptop (model A665-3DV8), which features a 15.6-inch HD TruBrite widescreen 3D display with LED backlighting and a 120Hz refresh rate. A combination of high-tech wireless glasses and advanced software, NVIDIA 3D Vision transforms hundreds of PC games, 3D movies, and digital photographs into an eye popping, interactive experience.

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ASUS G73JW-3DE Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch 3D Gaming Laptop (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I decided to sell my G73JW-A1 when I saw this model get released. The main reasons for the upgrade were the added 3D Vision capability, 120hz matte finish screen, Blu-ray burner, and HDMI 1.4 port. All the other specs are identical.
As with all reviews, there are pros and cons with the new G73JW-3DE:
PROs:
- Great performance and impressive hardware specs overall for the money (similiar equipped Alienware without 3D capability would cost $400 more...)
- Superior cooling design allows laptop to run quietly even when gaming!
- Excellent 120hz 3D capable LED screen with a matte finish...about dang time! I can finally go to a LAN party and not see every single reflection behind me while gaming :D
- first laptop to offer 1920 x 1080 resolution while using 3D Vision and the screen is great for watching 3D and regular Blu-ray movies as well as 2D and 3D PC games
- Blu-ray burner drive is now a standard!
- Excellent sound from built-in speakers and subwoofer ans has EAX 5.0 capability
- HDMI 1.4 port! Didn't expect this from Asus so soon ;) Now you can use the laptop to send a 1080P 3D capable signal to any 3D TV!
- USB 3.0 port; albeit only one :(
- Battery life is surprisingly good for the performance power this laptop provides (about 2 hours from an 8-cell lithium ion battery is pretty good)
- White LED Backlit keyboard w/variable brightness (still not an available option on most laptops - only Dell, Alienware, and Asus provide this so far...)
- Light weight for its size - most 17 inch laptops weigh easily over 10lbs - this one weighs in at 8.5lbs! WOW
- Optic drive now a lot quieter versus the Blu-ray ROM drive that came with the G73JW-A1...Asus listens to their customers (and their complaints)CONs:
- No native RAID support - not sure why Asus removed this feature since it went to the Intel Core iX series of CPUs. The previous Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad Asus laptops had RAID support so why remove it now? Weird (and bad) decision by Asus.
- Stock WiFi card has just two antenna connections - good for only 2.4Ghz 802.11N
- Internal WiFi does not provide a third antenna for true 5Ghz 802.11N WiFi - you can buy an extra WiFi antenna from Amazon for about $15 and install it yourself (should you decide to upgrade to a 5Ghz 802.11n capable WiFi card; e.g. Intel 5300, 5350, and 6300 Ultimate-N WiFi Link cards)
- No ExpressCard slot - weird for Asus to omit this feature to allow the owner future upgradability/expandibility?
- No eSATA port - would have preferred both an eSATA port AND a USB 3.0 port since eSATA is still faster than USB 3.0...at least until USB 3.0 matures a bit more
- 4th DIMM slot is hidden on the other side of the motherboard; allowing the ability to upgrade only three of the memory DIMMs (unless you want to take apart the whole laptop just to upgrade!)
- GTX460M graphics card not quite powerful enough to play some of the newer games when using 1920 x 1080 resolutions while in 3D Vision mode; frame rates are unplayable until you lower the resolution and/or turn down the in-game graphic settings (AA, AF, Shadows, corpse count, etc); this is a known fact when using 3D Vision in games as frame rates are cut in half since the graphics card is having to render double the amount of information
- A bit disappointed that Asus didn't offer an option to buy this laptop with either a GTX470M or GTX480M graphics card or maybe even a new 500M series card in the near future...(fingers crossed) - this should help negate the slow performance when using 3D Vision in games
- **UPDATE - POSTED 22 JAN 2011** Just found out that the 3D driver issue experienced when playing Call of Duty: Black Ops has been resolved. The new nVidia 400M series laptop drivers were just released on 18 January. I installed them and COD Black Ops now plays great in 3D! W00T!! The original problem was to Asus' proprietary driver release 261.14. Looks like nVidia and Asus worked together to resolve this problem with the newer drivers - outstanding job! This should make a great many G73JW owners very happy. For a detailed list of what was improved with the 266.58 drivers, go to the nVidia website and read the release notes.
Additional comments:
1) I predicted that the GTX460M would eventually outperform the ATI HD5870 mobile once newer drivers from NVidia were made available. I WAS RIGHT! Not only is the GTX460M a faster card, it especially rules when the in-game settings are turned up. The GTX460M graphics card also overclocks quite well. Can't say that about the HD5870 which locks up almost immediately the second you try to overclock it. And did I mention that the GTX460M supports all games and applications that uses CUDA, NVidia Physx, and of course 3D Vision which by the way is a feature ATI is just now getting around to implementing. And, surprisingly the GTX460M runs a full 20 degees Celsius cooler than the 5870 when under full processing mode! O_o NUFF SAID! Don't believe me? Go here to see for yourself: [...]
2) Amazon has incorrectly labeled the type of system memory that the G73JW-3DE comes equipped with. The description states "8GB 1066Mhz" when in fact 8GB of 1333Mhz memory is installed. I verified this by using CPU-Z. So, if you were worried about that little fact, don't be :)
3) Some folks have been posting bad poop in the hardware forums saying that this laptop can't play 3D games and can only provide a 3D signal to an external source, while others are saying that this laptop can not use the 3D Vision mode at the 1920 x 1080 resultion. BOTH ARE FALSE STATEMENTS! This laptop can play all games in 3D Vision mode at 1920 x 1080 (albeit not at playable rates for some games like Metro 2033 or COD Black Ops) and is able to do so with it's own screen! Damn trolls are everywhere!
In conclusion, this is an excellent laptop and I am very happy with my purchase. I have only a few minor gripes to report and none of them are "show stoppers". I highly recommend this product for those looking not to spend over $1,940 on a very good gaming laptop and is well worth the upgrade for those of you who have a "lesser" system.

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17.3" Full HD (1920x1080) 3D 120HZ LED / Intel Core i7-740QM (1.73GHz Quad-Core) / 8GB DDR3 RAM / NVidia GTX 460M 1.5G GDDR5 VRAM / 1TB HDD (500G w/4G SSD x 2) / Blu-Ray Burner / Illuminated Keyboard / Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit) / 802.11BGN / 2.0M Pixel / Bluetooth / 8 Cell battery / Gaming backpack and Gaming Mouse included / 3D Vision Glasses Included; 1 USB 3.0 port / 3 USB 2.0 ports / 8-in-1 card reader / 2YR Global warranty / 1YR Accidental Damage Warranty / 30-Day Zero Bright Dot / 2-way FREE shipping / 24-7 tech support

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Alienware AM11X-2894CSB 11.6-Inch Laptop (Cosmic Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been looking at this item for quite a while and finally pulled the trigger. My concerns with the speed of the processor on the Core 2 rather than i5 and i7 and the high price were my only reason not to buy. After reading about the battery hit taken on this with the faster processors and the price dropping about $100 so that the price difference with the i7 become quite large, I decided to go with the Core 2 and I am glad I did.
First off, the screen is glossy and only of average brightness but the viewing angles and the ability to turn the contrast all the way up and still see a good picture a plus. Second, there is no bluetooth but there are so many tiny dongles these days it isn't a huge issue for your mouse or headphones - just use of one the three usb ports. Third, the reason to buy this is for gaming and I am happy to say I was able to load all my games on the spacious 320gb hard drive with room to spare and they are all playable anywhere from medium to ultra settings. I play almost exclusively real-time strategy titles such as StarCraft II and the Command and Conquer titles. They all run really good.
The build quality is phenomenal on this thing. It is fun to just look at and admire. Being able to change the lighting in five zones and in various ways makes night computing perfect. The small keyboard is a little tougher to type on than a chic-lit style on a netbook but the razor sharp backlighting makes it work out fine after a little practice. Touch typing works great. The wrist area does not show fingerprints, the mouse has a great texture and really soft press buttons but I use an external mouse.
My first unit did not work the second day. It went black screen on me and Amazon shipped me a replacement the very next day that has been perfect. I also went into the bios on the second one and enabled turbo mode and it works - no blue screens.
I spent all day loading up my gaming titles and look forward to playing on the go and around the house a lot more now. I was also pleased that 1080p YouTube worked flawlessly and my programs seem snappy. So far, so good, enjoying it. The kids love it too and like to change the keyboard to pink for the girls and incredible hulk green for the boys.
A fun toy, I hope to enjoy for a long time, and recommend.


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With the Alienware M11x gaming laptop, you can play anything, anywhere. WHile weighing in at less than 4.51 pounds, the M11x packs enough power to handle the latest games, redefining the gaming capabilities of sub-15-inch laptops.

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HP Pavilion dv6-3160us 15.6-Inch Laptop PC - Up to 4 Hours of Battery Life (Argento) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The specs on this laptop are really good. 4 Core AMD Processor will keep things moving at a pretty fast pace, although it ranks below Intel I7's, it still performs very well. Also a large hard drive and the light up keyboard is especially nice when working on things at night. However the best part about the laptop is the video card. The ATI Mobility Radeon(tm) HD 5650 was really the selling point for me. Standard video cards that come with lower end laptops are often the bare minimums and all too often hold the performance of a laptop back. Such is not the case with this laptop. The video card is phenomenal for the price of the laptop. Overall great laptop performance wise. It looks really sweet too. However there is one drawback with HP's and its the preloaded software. I don't know if other company's do it, but this one came loaded with stuff and really hinders the performance. I have a Windows 7 Ult disc purchased previously so I installed my own version after I played with the preloaded OS and software for a bit. Most of the drivers are on the HP website so there really wasn't any trouble finding them(if you choose to do this, make a recovery disc first!). But i know someone else said that if you press F11 on the start up and do the recovery option you can choose to reinstall windows with a minimal installation which will get rid of the preloaded software but still install all the drivers. Highly recommend though if your looking for an above average laptop with an excellent video card.

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Keep the HP Pavilion dv6-3160us Entertainment Notebook PC in sync with your smartphone and connect to a wireless printer using integrated Bluetooth. Watch DVDs on the 15.6-inch diagonal High-Definition LED display and video chat in low-light environments using the integrated HP webcam. The keyboard on this HP laptop is backlit, so you can control movie playback and type easily in the dark. Plus, log in to secure websites with the swipe of a finger using the integrated fingerprint reader. The sleek HP Pavilion dv6-3160us Entertainment Notebook PC suits your personal and professional style with a brushed aluminum finish with the stream design in argento. Burn custom labels onto CDs and DVDs using LightScribe Technology and transfer photos from a digital camera to your HP laptop using the digital media reader. Expect great performance with a powerful AMD Phenom quad-core processor and premium audio. Browse the Web from any room using built-in Wi-Fi, plus store thousands of files on the large hard drive. IDEAL FOR

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ASUS G73JW-ROG Limited Edition Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop - Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First, Amazon Prime is awesome. I received my computer in 1 day (28hrs) for $4 shipping (15lbs). Wow!
I researched a few weeks before deciding on the XA1. I liked the A1 also but for $300+ less I couldn't resist the XA1.
What I like:
1. The case is flat black and will never show fingerprints (finally a finish for gamer's (and diets))!
2. The illuminated keyboard is super handy.
3. This computer is FAST, COOL and QUIET. Excellent cooling out the back as described in specs.
4. Low profile decorative lighting.
5. The DVD drive is on the left side of the computer so doesn't interfere with my mouse (right handed).
What I don't like:
1. The DVD drive has no drive status or drive in-use light. You have to rely on the software to tell you it is in-use.
2. Since the cooling out the back is so agressive, all the ports (USB/VGA/HDMI etc.)are on the sides. This crowds the sides if you want to use a video cable.
3. I think the hard drive status light is hard to see as it is right under the touch pad.
4. At certain angles, one can see the LEDs under the keys on the keyboard and and they are bright and distracting.
Differences between the A1 and XA1:
1. Yes, it's verified, the XA1 does NOT come with a back pack or ASUS gaming mouse as does the A1.
2. The XA1 has 8GB of 1033Mhz memory as reported by the CRUCIAL memory tester program (although the outside of the box states 1333mhz). The A1 has 8GB of 1333MHz memory.
3. No blue-ray player in the XA1. The A1 has one.
4. Did I mention that the XA1 is more than $300 cheaper?
5. Only 1 year warranty but it is still covered for accidental drops and spills for that whole year (ASUS Global Warranty). The A1 has a 2 year warranty.
6. Oh, almost forgot, the hard drive installed is 750GB and is 7200rpm (verified). It is pre-partitioned to a 250GB OS partition and a 500GB data partition. The A1 has two 500GB 7200RPM drives.
My first impression is that I can't believe I got this much computing power for < $1500. The computer has a quality feel and fit and seems to be thoughfully designed. I have only had mine for a few days but would highly recommend this to others. I'll post more info as I gain more experience.


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LIMITED EDITION ASUS REPUBLIC OF GAMERS G73JW GAMING NOTEBOOK. Intel Quad Core i7-740QM, 16GB RAM (4x4GB), NVidia GTX 460M 1.5G GDDR5 VRAM GPU, Dual 500gb + 4GB SSD hard drives; Blu-Ray Burner; 17.3" Full HD (1920x1080) LED, Illuminated Keyboard, USB 3.0. Comes with ASUS ROG Gaming Backpack, Gaming Mouse, and Limited Edition Serial Number Dog Tags. Other specs: Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit) / 802.11BGN / 2.0M Pixel / Bluetooth / 8 Cell battery / 1 USB 3.0 port / 3 USB 2.0 ports / 8-in-1 card reader / 2YR Global warranty / 1YR Accidental Damage Warranty / 30-Day Zero Bright Dot / 2-way FREE shipping / 24-7 tech support

Click here for more information about ASUS G73JW-ROG Limited Edition Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop - Black

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