Toshiba updates Qosmio and Dynabook SS RX2 laptops

It's sort of funny that Toshiba's packing the Cell-based SpursEngine HD video co-processor into most of the Qosmio line when it still refuses to offer Blu-ray drives, but we guess some wounds just don't heal. In any event, Japanese customers can now pick from a whole host of updated Qosmios with clock-bumped Core 2 Duos and GeForce 9600M GT graphics, including the ¥320,000 ($3,241) 18.4-inch Qosmio G50 and the ¥210,000 ($2,119) 15.4-inch Qosmio FX, as well as a new 1.4GHz 12.1-inch Dynabook SS RX2 with 128GB SSD for ¥280,000 ($2,840). Great, but hey Tosh -- what we really want to see is the SpursEngine chip stuffed inside one of your new netbooks, you know? Think about it. Check the SS RX2 after the break.

Read - Qosmios
Read - Dynabook SS RX2

[PyRo1509 Posted Apr 20th 2009 11:55AM]

Looks cool, but no thanks

[mpeters13 Posted Apr 20th 2009 11:56AM]

This screams babyboomer for some reason.

[MarcusMaximus Posted Apr 20th 2009 11:58AM]

Didn't toshiba invest heavily into the cell processor from inception? I thought I remember reading that somewhere. At any rate, this laptop is clearly iphone-like.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 20th 2009 11:58AM]

I hate the look of Toshiba laptops and their reliability is ass too.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 20th 2009 12:04PM]

tight

[aznofazns Posted Apr 20th 2009 12:05PM]

these look just awful for the price

[jsmrekar Posted Apr 20th 2009 12:27PM]

haha for that price, i could buy an apple.

[Level 5 Posted Apr 20th 2009 12:32PM]

Yeah I mean you COULD, buddy. But.. what if you don't have anything against an Apple but just don't prefer them, or they don't fit your needs? All jokes aside, the Dynabook seems straight but good cripes that Qosmio is the ugliest effin' laptop I've seen in MONTHS.

[EpsilonNot Posted Apr 20th 2009 12:36PM]

I'm curious- how much does the SpursEngine really help over a typical laptop graphics card? It seems like more of a gimmick to me than anything else, but does anyone with actual experience with them have any information?

[dimension6 Posted Apr 20th 2009 11:52PM]

I remember looking at one of these machines recently, and the SpursEngine only appears to work with the bundled media software. Yet another Japanese product with excellent hardware hampered by proprietary licensing and poor software. I guess I shouldn't speak too loudly; I live two blocks from Toshiba's HQ, and 5 blocks in the other direction from Sony's HQ. Every now and then, I used to have to go outside to stop fistfights between participants in the Blu-Ray/HD-DVD wars. Well...the last sentence was a lie, but it could have happened!

[Avaviel Posted Apr 20th 2009 12:37PM]

I've always thought that Toshiba computers were solidly built, but ugly.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 20th 2009 12:43PM]

this laptop looks better than previous qosmio I saw. finally they learnt that they should use full sized keyboards for big sized laptops (sony too, they've learnt and included full keyboards). what they haven't is the exclusion of blu-ray. sony is also known to be overpriced, but I'd rather pick sony over toshiba because of the inclusion of BD drive. upscaling processor? not for me.

[vlad the inhaler Posted Apr 20th 2009 2:37PM]

i dont need a bluray drive to watch pirated hd movies.

[bdav Posted Apr 20th 2009 3:05PM]

It may be strobing from the downscaling, but I get the feeling looking at that Qosimo (sp) would make my eyes go funny....

[everunman Posted Apr 20th 2009 4:01PM]

Toshiba lost a sale with me only due to their non blu ray drive

[Lundmark Posted Apr 20th 2009 4:08PM]

These are among the worst laptops ever made. I remember when I worked at PC World, these were virtually impossible to sell.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 20th 2009 7:02PM]

Chewy!

[Toy Yoda Posted Apr 21st 2009 4:49AM]

I had a Qosmio. It was pretty reliable and a decent desktop replacement. However, it was way too bulky even for desktop replacements and the bulk didn't get you significantly better hardware either. I would have still stuck with the brand but they didn't give blu-ray option and they didn't offer 1900x1200 screen resolution (at the time). The best thing about the Qosmio over any other desktop is that their speakers were awesome even the bass; an external system is not a necessity.