Toshiba Qosmio F55-Q504 15.4-Inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

Other products by Toshiba

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 14.5 x 10.9 x 1.5 inches ; 8.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 16.3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001GAQF48
• Item model number: F55-Q504
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,907 in Computers & PC Hardware (See Bestsellers in Computers & PC Hardware)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 30, 2008

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Take your home entertainment center on the road with the Toshiba Qosmio F55-Q504 notebook PC, which features a widescreen 15.4-inch screen with crisp audio from the two Harman Kardon speakers with subwoofer and integrated media control buttons on either side of the keyboard. It's powered by the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor--with Centrino 2 technology--which boosts speed, reduces power requirements, and saves on battery life. The 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 includes a lightning quick 1066 MHz front-side bus and 3 MB of L2 cache, providing an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved multimedia and multitasking performance. You'll enjoy exceptional video and immersive 3D gaming thanks to the Nvidia GeForce 9700M GTS video card with 512 MB of dedicated video RAM (and up to 2303 MB of total allocated video memory from the system). A 1.3 megapixel digital web camera built into the LCD's bezel lets you quickly snap photos and participate in live video chats.

Other features include 320 GB of hard drive space, 4 GB of installed RAM (8 GB maximum), multi-format/dual-layer LightScribe DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs), Draft-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity, 5-in-1 memory card reader, Gigabit Ethernet, and your choice of 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 operating system. Additionally, this Toshiba notebook is RoHS-compatible, effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances.

The Basics

• Processor: Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, and amazing battery life with the 45nm Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 processor featuring Intel Centrino 2 technology. This processor has a 2.0 GHz processor speed, super-sized 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and a extra-large 3 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

  Formerly codenamed Montevina, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology improves upon every facet of a laptop's main features, including performance and battery life via new processors and chipsets, faster draft 802.11n wireless, and new business-class manageability capabilities. The new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet.

  The Intel Core 2 Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized for multitasking and it can run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background.

  Spec Check 15.4-inch LCD screen 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 processor 320 GB storage capacity 4 GB RAM (8 GB maximum) Dual-layer DVD±R drive Draft-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) Nvidia GeForce 9700M GTS graphics Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 Weighs 8.1 pounds

• Hard Drive: The extra large 320 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive (5400 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect for storing a vast multimedia collection or for editing digital video. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to Firewire and USB 2.0.

• Memory: The 4 GB of installed RAM (PC6400, 2 x 2 GB) helps boost the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this notebook's video card. It also offers an ultra-fast 800 MHz speed. This notebook has an 8 GB maximum RAM capacity. To receive the faster data transfer benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed.

• DVD/CD Drive: The dual-layer Labelflash DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data--great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 6x DVD±R DL, 8x for single-layer DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 5x DVD-RAM, and 24x/16x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.

  With the Labelflash functionality, you can burn high-resolution, high-contrast pictures on the label side of DVD discs using the same laser used for data recording. Enjoy transparency and high-quality not found in traditional printable media. All you need is a Labelflash DVD disc to start labeling without a printer.

• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad. It also offers a launch button for the Express CD/DVD media player and control buttons (play, stop, next, previous) as well as a volume control dial.

Screen, Video & Audio
When it comes to full-on entertainment, this Qosmio laptop is unmatched with its extra-wide 15.4-inch TruBrite display, which not only delivers stunning visuals but also provides the best viewing for widescreen movies with its 16:9 aspect ratio. It has a native 1440 x 900 resolution. Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce 9700M GTS graphics card, which provides up to 2303 MB of available RAM/video memory (512 MB dedicated GDDR3 RAM) for unmatched HD video performance on a notebook PC. (GDDR3, short for Graphics Double Data Rate, version 3, is a graphics card-specific memory technology that's better able to deliver fluid frame rates for even the most advanced games and applications.) With support for Microsoft DirectX 10 Shader Model 4.0 and High Dynamic-Range Lighting (HDR), it lets you rip through all of today's most advanced and cutting-edge games and applications. Experience real-time photo editing, or immerse yourself in the most complex, true-to-life gaming environments.

It includes the Dolby Home Theater set of features, which provide up to 5.1 discrete channels of crystal-clear digital surround sound as well as virtual 5.1-channel surround sound experience from any pair of stereo speakers. It also features four stylishly incorporated Harman Kardon stereo speakers with a built-in subwoofer.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This notebook has an integrated tri-mode Atheros wireless LAN (802.11b/g/n). Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and Wi-Fi hotspots. The Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1 + EDR) enables you to communicate and synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs and cell phones.

With USB Sleep-and-Charge support, you can use your Satellite M305 to charge your favorite portable electronic devices, even when the laptop is asleep. If you use a smartphone, you can just plug it in, power up and go without having to worry that you've got enough charge. It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54/34 card slot (though no PCMCIA card slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. Here's the full list of connection options:

• 4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players (including 1 eSATA/USB combo port)
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 ExpressCard 54/34 slot
• 1 HDMI output (for connecting to a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver for uncompressed digital audio and video via a single cable)
• Video output: 1 VGA
• Microphone/line-in and stereo headphones/speakers/line-out (with SPDIF digital audio output)
• RJ-45 port for 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet connection
• 56K modem port (V.90)
• 5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card)

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 (both 32-bit and 64-bit versions are included) is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Microsoft Works 9.0, Google Desktop and Picasa, Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5, Norton 360 All-in-One Security (30-day trial), and Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (60-day trial).

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 14.5 x 10.9 x 1.9 inches (WxDxH, and it weighs 8.1 pounds.

Power
It comes with a 4000 mAH lithium-ion battery pack for extra-long battery life.

What's in the Box
This package contains the F55-Q504 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.

Product Description
Offering onboard Garmin Mobile PC9, the Qosmio F55 Laptop Series lets entertainment buffs and tech enthusiasts find the people, places and services that make life more enjoyable. Powerful discrete graphics plus a premium stereo sound system intensify gaming with unchained action and immersive virtual surround listening. Huge dual hard drives hold lots of multimedia and offer faster gaming chapter loads too. For big screen, big speaker entertainment, the Toshiba REGZA-LINK HDMI port lets you easily scale up and run the show with a single remote. And an eye catching Vibe pattern and high-gloss Fusion Finish accentuate the premium design these machines offer. Serving up 512MB of discrete graphics memory, the NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GTS graphics system on this laptop gives you the speed, realism and stunning visuals you need for improved gaming and video editing, without spending a fortune. Thanks to the built-in Webcam and Toshiba Face Recognition on this machine you¿ll enjoy a fun, convenient way to communicate, log on or share your laptop with the family. The Toshiba F55-Q504 ships with Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1, 32-bit version and 64-bit version), a 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P7350, 3MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB Mobile Intel PM45 Express Chipset, configured with 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 SDRAM (both memory slots may be occupied). Maximum capacity 8192MB, 320GB /5400 RPM; Serial ATA hard disk drive, DVD SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) with Labelflash drive supporting 11 formats, 15.4 in diagonal widescreen TruBrite TFT active matrix LCD display at 1440x900 native resolution, integrated webcam and microphone, NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GTS, 512MB GDDR3 discrete graphics memory, plus up to 1791MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory using NVIDIA TurboCache technology, Intel Wi Fi Link 5100AGN 802.11a/g/n and Bluetooth. Dimensions: 10.9 inches x 14.5 inches x 1.5 inches / weight: Starting at 8.1 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastics Graphics performance and sound for the price, October 31, 2008

By	David H. Payne (Michigan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Pros:
Great graphics (will play Crysis on High detail at 1024x768) 9700M GTS with 512meg dedicated memory
Great looking display - colors look great
Great sound (even has a subwoofer)
Looks cool (shiny with lights and chrome)
Comes with polishing cloth!!
External SATA
USB ports on the back and both sides
Built in GPS
Nice sized keyboard
Nice rough textured touchpad
HDMI hookup for a TV
lighted volume and media controls are handy
Nice sized keyboard
Can choose 32bit Vista or 64bit Vista (both if you have a 2nd hard drive to load up)

Cons:
No built in bluetooth (despite what the web entry says)
Shiny surface shows fingerprints

I primarily bought this as a gaming machine to play games that was below $2000. I was very pleased with the level of graphics performance for the price. It seems with a laptop that you are stuck with the video graphics it come with (unlike a PC where you can upgrade). The Nvidia 9700M GTS was perfect for my needs. It outperforms the graphics on Alienware machines costing more. Toshiba has skimped some on the CPU (which you can upgrade) in favor of higher level graphics (which you can not easily upgrade). The 3dmark 2006 score I got was 7305.

I have been very, very happy with this laptop, and I am typing this review up on it right now. The colors look great.

I was a little disappointed in the lack of built in bluetooth especially since the web pages on Amazon, Newegg, and Toshiba seemed to indicate that this model would have a bluetooth receiver built in. The Toshiba web site shows two models the F55-Q504 (supposedly with bluetooth) and the F55-Q5041 (without bluetooth). The bottom of the laptop says it is a F55-Q504, but there are no bluetooth stickers, etc, anywhere on it and no option to turn bluetooth on. I just went out and got a small IOGEAR bluetooth receiver and used that.

On startup, you get to choose whether to load up 32bit or 64bit vista. Making recovery DVD's is very easy also. Also, Vista with the service pack isn't all that bad either.


I would definitely buy this laptop again and recommend this laptop. The pros outweigh the cons by quite a bit. I looked at quite a few to get this level of graphics performance at this price.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Attractive with plenty of power, January 9, 2009

By	MachineGunn - See all my reviews

I bought my first Toshiba laptop in 2003, and it lasted me through two years of college and three years of law school (when it got some pretty rough use from being hauled around to classes 5 days a week) in addition to serving as my only computer for entertainment, web browsing, etc. Since it lasted so long, I opted to get another when it finally started to show its age.

The Toshiba laptops (like Sony) generally seem to cost a bit more than what you'd pay for some American models with similar specs. I don't just leave my laptop sitting at my desk, but size and weight aren't really a concern. This has some bulk to it, but not problematic. One of the key features I wanted that not many other models had was an HDMI out. Another thing I really like about Toshiba laptops is the physical volume control, but I have to say that I liked the one on my last Toshiba far better. This one is placed on the palm rest, so I sometimes adjust the volume uninentionally when typing. It also doesn't "stop" when you've got the volume down to mute- the control keeps spinning. Speaking of volume, these are the best laptop speakers I have ever heard. I think Toshiba refers to one of them as a "sub-woofer" which is a bit silly, but they really do sound amazing for laptop speakers. Of course they're not as good as an external set, but when I'm moving my laptop around the room, I don't mind the sound quality if I don't have it plugged into my speakers. Physically, the laptop is very attractive. Having a built in webcam is nice as well. I've been using it for roughly two months without any issues. I would prefer one more USB port on the back. There is one USB port on the back and one on each side. It comes packaged very well and shipped without any issues.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Laptop-desktop, my friends call this way :), November 18, 2008

By	T. Tamilmani "Tamil" (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very good look, all my friends liked the style, it looks tough and huge but doesn't weigh much, has a manly look.
Pros
+ Nvidia 9700 GTS, played crysis with high resolution, very good.
+ Harman Kardon Speakers, nice song quality, this is the best laptop speakers i ever heard.
+ GPS , i never had a chance to use this
+ FM tuner( not getting signal without antenna)
+ 4 GB RAM , 64 bit Vista
+ High Resolution Display
+ Nice Glossy Keyboad , nice to type
+ Illuminated media controls give a cool look.
+ Cam quality is qood, compared with Mac Book of my friends, mine is better.
It has lot of advantages and some disadvantages.

Cons
- lack of inbuilt bluetooth ( but the website says, it has one, even confirmed with amazon support , it don't have bluetooth inbuilt)
- the GPU seems to be over heated during game play, that causes the system to power down suddenly
- It is tough to fit in a standard laptop messenger bag.