The Apple MacBook Air "Core 2 Duo" 1.6 13" -- affectionately dubbed the "MBA" for short -- was Apple's first serious foray into the subnotebook market since the PowerBook 2400c and the PowerBook Duo line (although PowerBook G4 12" models also were rather small).
The "MBA" is powered by a customized 1.6 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" processor (P7500) in a miniaturized packaging design with two independent processor "cores" on a single chip with a 4 MB on-chip shared level 2 cache running on an 800 MHz frontside bus.
It features 2 GB of onboard 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, an 80 GB PATA (4200 RPM) hard drive, an Intel GMA X3100 integrated "graphics processor with 144 MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory", an integrated iSight video camera, a "MacBook-style" full-size backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor, and a 13.3" widescreen TFT LED backlit active-matrix "glossy" display (1280x800 native resolution) in a razor thin (0.16-0.76 inch), three pound, aluminum case.
Connectivity includes AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, a single USB 2.0 port, analog audio out, and video out capabilities (micro-DVI) that support an external 24" display. It lacks Ethernet (an external adapter is available), Firewire, and optical audio in/out.
Like all subnotebooks, it is important to recognize that Apple made some compromises on performance, expansion, connectivity, and affordability in favor of size and weight. Although the system has an impressively large -- for a subnotebook -- 13.3" display, full-size keyboard and a trackpad that supports "multi-touch gesturing" (two-finger scroll, pinch, rotate, swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag), it uses slower processors than the stock MacBook models, the memory cannot be upgraded beyond the onboard 2 GB, there is not an internal optical drive, and the battery is not designed to be removable.
Processor Type:
Core 2 Duo (P7500)
Processor Speed:
1.6 GHz
Details:
The Intel "Core 2 Duo" processor includes two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip. The original MacBook Air uses a customized Core 2 Duo processor with "a lower voltage specification in a new miniaturized packaging design" (P7500). A 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo (P7700) processor originally was available via custom configuration for an extra US$300, and on July 8, 2008, Apple dropped the upgrade price to US$200.
Also see: What processor does the MacBook Air use? and How fast is the original MacBook Air compared to the MacBook and MacBook Pro?
Includes a 4 MB shared "on chip" level 2 cache that runs at processor speed.
RAM Type:
DDR2 SDRAM*
Min. RAM Speed:
667 MHz
Details:
Ships standard with 2 GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM onboard.
Standard RAM:
2 GB
Maximum RAM:
2 GB
Details:
2 GB of RAM is onboard, and cannot be upgraded.
Motherboard RAM:
2 GB
RAM Slots:
None
Details:
There are no RAM slots.
Video Card:
Intel GMA X3100
VRAM Type:
Integrated
Details:
N/A
Standard VRAM:
144 MB
Maximum VRAM:
144 MB
Details:
Apple reports that "memory available to Mac OS X may vary depending on graphics needs. Minimum graphics memory usage is 144 MB."
Built-in Display:
13.3" Widescreen
Native Resolution:
1280x800
Details:
13.3" color widescreen TFT LED-backlit active-matrix "glossy" display with a 1280 by 800 native resolution. Apple reports that it also supports "1152 by 720, 1024 by 768, 1024 by 640, 800 by 600, 800 by 500, 720 by 480, and 640 by 480 at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; [and] 720 by 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio".
2nd Display Support:
Dual/Mirroring
2nd Max. Resolution:
1920x1200
Details:
The maximum resolution supported on an external display is 1920x1200.
Standard Hard Drive:
80 GB (4200 RPM)
Int. HD Interface:
Parallel ATA
Details:
An 80 GB (4200 RPM, 8 MB buffer) 1.8 inch, 5 mm PATA hard disk drive is standard (40-pin ZIF connector). A 64 GB solid-state drive originally was available as an optional build-to-order upgrade for US$999, and on July 8, 2008, Apple dropped the upgrade price to US$599.
How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the MacBook Air? Can you swap the hard drive for an SSD?
Standard Optical:
None*
Standard Disk:
None
Details:
*The MacBook Air does not have an internal optical drive. An external MacBook Air SuperDrive was offered for US$99. It writes DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL at 4X, DVD-R and DVD+R at 8X, DVD-RW at 6X, DVD+RW at 8X, reads DVD at 8X, writes CD-R at 24X, writes CD-RW at 16X, and reads CD at 24X.
Also see: What are the capabilities of the external SuperDrive available for the MacBook Air? Can it be used with other Macs?
Standard Modem:
None*
Standard Ethernet:
None*
Details:
*Neither an internal modem nor an internal Ethernet port are provided. An external Apple USB Modem (56.6k v.92) was available for US$49 and an external Apple 10/100Base-T Ethernet adapter was available for US$29.
Standard AirPort:
802.11a/b/g/n
Standard Bluetooth:
2.1+EDR
Details:
AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR standard.
Also see: What is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a?
Apple reports that the integrated backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor has "78 (US) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys (inverted "T" arrangement)."
The solid-state trackpad features "multi-touch gesture support for precise cursor control; [and] supports two-finger scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities" .
Also see: What is the difference between the "multi-touch gesture" trackpad and the trackpad used in earlier Apple notebooks?
Case Type:
Notebook
Form Factor:
MacBook Air
Details:
The MacBook Air uses an ultrathin aluminum case design with a "catchless" magnetic latch.
Apple Model No:
MB003LL/A
Apple Subfamily:
MacBook Air - Original
Details:
The Apple model number should be unique to this system.
Gestalt/Model ID:
N/A
Machine Model:
MacBookAir1,1
Details:
Please note that these identifiers may refer to more than one model.
Battery Type:
37 W/Hr Li-Poly
Battery Life:
5 Hours
Details:
Apple reports that this model has an "integrated 37-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery" and the company claims that it can provide up to five hours of battery life with wireless activated.
Also see: What is the battery life of the original MacBook Air in real-world usage tests?
Pre-Installed MacOS:
X 10.5.1 (9B2324)
Maximum MacOS:
Current*
Details:
*Please note that this system can run the current version of MacOS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard". However, although it has a 64-bit processor, it has a 32-bit EFI and is not capable of booting into 64-bit mode. It also does not support "OpenCL".
MacOS 9 Support:
None
Windows Support:
Boot/Virtualization
Details:
Also see: Are there any third-party programs to run MacOS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs?
Site sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both MacOS X and MacOS 9 applications.
For more on running Windows on Intel Macs, please refer to the exhaustive Windows on Mac Q&A.
Dimensions:
.16-.76 x 12.8 x 8.94
Avg. Weight:
3.0 lbs (1.36 kg)
Details:
In inches while closed - minimum height to maximum height by width by depth, (0.4-1.94 cm, 32.5 cm, 22.7 cm).
Original Price:
US$1799*
Est. Current Retail:
US$1000-US$1200
Details:
*This was the price for the stock configuration with a 1.6 GHz processor and an 80 GB hard drive. Via custom configuration, it originally could be equipped with a 1.8 GHz processor and a 64 GB solid-state drive for US$3098, and on July 8, 2008, Apple dropped the upgraded price to US$2598.
Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).
How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the MacBook Air? Can you swap the hard drive for an SSD?
What are the differences between the "Mid-2009" MacBook Air models and the "NVIDIA/Late 2008" MacBook Air models that they replaced?
How fast is the "Mid-2009" MacBook Air compared to earlier MacBook Air models? How fast is it compared to the "Mid-2009" MacBook Pro models?
Is the battery in the MacBook Air really not replaceable? Is there a "hack" to replace it?
What are the differences between the "Mid-2009" MacBook Air and the "SD/Firewire 800 - Mid-2009" 13-Inch MacBook Pro?
What are the "pros and cons" of the MacBook Air? Is it the right Apple notebook for my needs?
What is the battery life of the "NVIDIA/Late 2008" and "Mid-2009" MacBook Air models in real-world usage tests?
What is a good USB hub to use with the MacBook Air while traveling?
Is the MacBook Air truly the "world's thinnest" notebook?
How do you install software on the MacBook Air without an optical drive?
For all MacBook Air Q&As, check out the MacBook Air Q&A (Home). For other systems, visit the Q&A section.
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The Sony VAIO CR is the latest family of stylish, colorful, consumer friendly notebooks from Sony. Available in colors with names like “sangria” and “cosmopolitan,” the CR series is clearly aimed at college students looking for a fun and functional notebook. You can configure a VAIO CR online at SonyStyle.com in a variety of colors or buy a stock configuration from various retailers.
The VAIO CR is available with a full range of Core 2 Duo processors (from the Intel T7100 1.8GHz Core 2 Duo up to the T7700 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo). The only screen offering is the 14.1" WXGA but the notebook can take up to 4GB of RAM. Built-in wireless 802.11 a/b/g/n is standard.
We reviewed Sony’s “dove” (white) version of the CR, priced starting at $1,140.00. Following are the specs for the notebook as reviewed:
Screen: 14.1-inch screen WXGA (1280 x 800) with XBRITE-ECO (glossy finish)
Color: Dove white
Processor: 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7100
Hard Drive: 120 GB hard drive (SATA, 5400RPM)
Memory: 1GB RAM (PC5300, 667 MHz, DDR2 SDRAM, 2 x 512 MB) -- 4GB max memory
Ports and Slots: Three USB 2.0, one FireWire 400 port, one ExpressCard 34, one S-Video, one VGA, one MemoryStick Pro reader, one SD card reader, headphone / line-out, microphone-in, modem, 10/100 Ethernet
Wireless: Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (965 Express chipset with up to 358MB of shared RAM)
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
Dimensions: 13.2” x 1.67” x 9.8”
Weight: 5.5 pounds
(view large image)
Build and Design
The overall first impression that one has when looking at the CR series is that this notebook was designed to look nice. From the range of available colors to the polished metal-like accents the CR is a design that gets your attention. The dove white version in particular looks vaguely similar to a MacBook in some ways … something which was likely intentional given that Sony wants college students to buy the CR.
The lid of the VAIO CR also has a nice glossy finish with the VAIO lettering in a polished silver material. Overall the look is very clean. After opening the lid and seeing the white plastic interior of the CR I expected a cheap plastic case with a significant amount of flex to it. Surprisingly the case is very sturdy with relatively thick plastic and metal interior reinforcement in just the right places.
(view large image)
The VAIO CR lid does not have a latch to hold it closed, but the hinge mechanism works well and firmly holds the lid in place. There is some flex to the screen lid but it’s just enough to keep the LCD from being too rigid. There certainly isn’t enough screen flex to worry about.
Sony officially classifies the VAIO CR as a “thin-and-light” notebook. However, at 1.67" at its thickest point and a weight of 5.5 pounds, the CR is neither “thin” nor “light” by today’s standards. Given the fact that the CR will most likely serve as a popular media center for college students, the issue of size and weight probably won’t be a major issue to potential buyers. That said, it’s just downright false advertising to call this notebook “thin-and-light” when most notebooks in that category are less than 1.2 inches thick and weigh less than three pounds.
Performance and Benchmarks
The Core 2 Duo processors that come with the VAIO CR-series provide more than enough performance, even at the 1.8GHz low-end configured in our test unit. Those consumers willing to pay for the 2.4GHz T7700 processor will find the CR packs an impressive punch … despite the fact that the CR doesn’t offer a dedicated graphics option. The 3DMark05 benchmarks are surprisingly low, but this is due to the fact that the CR uses the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 which shares the notebook’s system RAM and Sony decided to send us a review unit with only 1GB of system RAM. If the CR was equipped with 2GB or more these benchmarks would have been slightly more impressive.
Super Pi comparison results:
Notebook
Time
Sony VAIO CR (1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7100)
1m 09s
Lenovo ThinkPad X61 (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300)
1m 01s
Lenovo 3000 V200 (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300)
0m 59s
HP dv2500t (1.80GHz Intel 7100)
1m 09s
Lenovo ThinkPad T61 (2.00GHz Core 2 Duo Intel T7300)
0m 59s
Lenovo ThinkPad T60 (2.00GHz Core 2 Duo T7200)
1m 03s
Toshiba Satellite P205-S6287 (1.73 GHz Core 2 Duo Intel T5300)
1m 24s
Toshiba Satellite A205 (1.66GHz Core 2 Duo)
1m 34s
HP Compaq 6515b (1.6GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-52)
2m 05s
HP dv6000t (2.16 GHz Intel T2400)
0m 59s
Dell Inspiron e1705 (2.0GHz Core 2 Duo)
1m 02s
PCMark05 comparison results:
Notebook
PCMark05 Score
Sony VAIO CR (1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7100, Intel X3100)
The 14.1" glossy screen is a WXGA 1280 x 800 beauty with excellent color and contrast. The display features fairly bright and even backlighting with eight levels of brightness. Horizontal viewing angles are excellent, making the screen an ideal choice for two or more people to watch a DVD or streaming video. However, vertical viewing angles are among the worst I’ve seen on a notebook in this price range. If the screen is tilted just slightly forward the entire screen “washes out” making it all but impossible to see low contrast details.
The 14.1" screen highlighting the "AV Mode" photo viewer. (view large image)
Keyboard, Touchpad and Other Input Buttons
The keyboard on the VAIO CR is perhaps the most unique feature of this notebook when you first open it. Unlike most traditional PC notebook keyboards the CR keyboard looks more like a MacBook than a PC. The keys are well cushioned and responsive to light touch though there is a somewhat noticeable degree of travel. If you prefer the traditional “indented” shape of keys then you might not like the flat surface of the keys on the CR. The keyboard is quite solid with no flex whatsoever. Overall, if you can get used to the lack of dedicated keys and the shape of the keys themselves then you will find this keyboard a genuine joy to use.
The very MacBook-like keyboard, touchpad, and nice speakers. (view large image)
The touchpad is nice and large with a very usable and responsive surface. The mouse buttons are likewise nicely sized, but the buttons have a very shallow feedback with noisy clicks which makes them uncomfortable to use.
The VAIO CR also features dedicated media buttons at the front of the notebook beneath the touchpad buttons. When a DVD is inserted these controls make the CR as convenient as a VCR or DVD player. Along the top of the keyboard is a dedicated “AV Mode” quicklauch button that lets you activate the media player functions without booting Windows. Next to the AV Mode key is a mute button, volume down and up, web camera “capture” button, and display backlight on/off.
(view large image)
Input and Output Ports
Let's take a quick tour around the port offerings of the VAIO CR:
Front side: Nothing here except the media buttons beneath the trackpad. (view large image)
Back side: Nothing except the battery, DC power jack, and the modem port. (view large image)
Bottom view: Here you'll find access to the memory slots, some well-placed vents, the battery release switch, and the battery lock switch ... which is important later in this review. (view large image)
Left side: Kensington Lock slot, heat vent, VGA-Out, S-Video, two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400, microphone and headphone jacks, and wireless on/off. (view large image)
Right side: Ethernet port, USB port, optical drive, SD card reader, MemoryStick Pro reader, and ExpressCard 34 slot. (view large image)
Why Sony included a separate reader for the MemoryStick Pro card and another reader for the SD card is likely one of those mysteries that will never be solved. Many notebooks save space and weight by providing a single 5-in-1 memory card slot that reads SD/xD/MMC/MemoryStick type cards. I can only guess that Sony wants to draw attention to their proprietary memory card format.
Audio
The VAIO CR has stereo sound via speakers located on the left side and right sides of the keyboard. With the speakers located on the top of the interior in this way they tend to direct the sound at you and make for a surprisingly enjoyable listening experience. While the built-in speakers aren’t the best that I’ve heard in a notebook of this size, they are certainly better than most notebooks of this size. The headphone jack is located on the left side (an excellent location for people who like to plug in external speakers).
Heat and Noise
The VAIO CR runs extremely quiet with the 1.8GHz Core 2 Duo processor. I suspect the faster 2.4GHz configuration runs much hotter, but our review unit kept heat under control. The bottom left side gets a bit warm, but temperatures remained comfortable enough to keep the CR on the lap. Temperatures are likely kept within acceptable limits thanks to a rather large copper heatsink visible through the vent on the left side of the CR. Though the CR is thicker and heavier than anything in the “thin-and-light” category it remains remarkably cool.
The system fan is quiet when running. You have to put your ear down at desk level to hear it over any other ambient noise in the room. Despite the lack of noise the fan pushes out a significant amount of heat … enough to make your hand uncomfortable if you put your left hand next to the vent during benchmarking.
The hard disk drive was noticeably loud in our test unit. While this may not be indicative of all production CR notebooks, it is something I felt obligated to mention. Even though I am not particularly sensitive to background noise I found the constant grind of the hard disk to be quite distracting.
Battery
Sony claims the battery life of the standard 6-cell battery at 2.0-3.5 hours of use depending on how you use the notebook. During my test I obtained 3 hours and 2 minutes of battery life using the notebook at half screen brightness, wireless off, and a mixture of Word usage and idling. Clearly you would need to have the screen brightness turned even lower and do little more than let the notebook idle if you want to obtain the full 3.5 hours that Sony claims. You can get a large capacity battery for an advertised 3-6 hours of usage time unplugged, but the larger battery will stick out from the back and add weight to the notebook.
One issue of note regarding the battery is the unusual amount of “battery wiggle” in our test unit. Even with the lock switch in the “locked” position the battery is loose in the back of the CR and makes an audible shaking sound as it moves inside the battery compartment. If the locking switch is set to the unlocked position the battery is so loose that you can accidentally disconnect the battery from the power connectors just by picking the notebook up and tilting it backward. This is an unacceptable design flaw because it means users can unintentionally power off the notebook while using it. The last thing you want is for your notebook to shutdown while you’re in the middle of typing a term paper.
Below is a video tour of the VAIO CR (hosted by Andrew Baxter) which demonstrates the battery problem.
Software
Sony includes some useful and not so useful bloatware with the VAIO CR. Here's a short list of some of the highlights:
Click to DVD - Sony DVD Creation software
Sony SonicStage Media Player
30-Day Trial Version of Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI
Microsoft Works 8.5
60-Day Trial Version of Microsoft Office 2003
Norton Internet Security 60-Day Trial
Napster
VAIO Security Center
VAIO Productivity Center
VAIO Entertainment Center
While none of these applications are horrible and some are even helpful, many of these applications are hogging system resources when you startup the CR for the first time and experienced users will likely want to uninstall most of this bloatware.
Conclusion
The Sony VAIO CR is nice looking notebook with a solid set of features that are sure to be appealing to college students. It features an impressive multimedia AV Mode that can be launched without the need for Windows. However, the CR is cheaper and not quite as powerful as some other notebooks in the $1,000+ range due to the integrated graphics. The CR clearly stacks up well against the MacBook both in terms of features and appearance. Still, given the price point, the lack of dedicated graphics, and what can only be called a “design flaw” regarding the battery, college students might consider purchasing the Sony VAIO N series notebook. While the 15.4” N series only offers up to a 1.86GHz Intel Core Duo T2350 processor and up to 2GB of RAM, the performance is on par with the entry-level CR model and the N series costs several hundred dollars less.
Pros
Very nice looks with a variety of colors you can choose
Fast Core 2 Duo processors and up to 4GB of RAM provide plenty of system performance
Screen has excellent horizontal viewing angles
Solid build quality and sturdiness (with the exception of the battery)
Stays cool and makes little noise
Good keyboard with some exceptions (see below)
Cons
Unacceptable amount of battery wiggle (design flaw)
Too much bloatware installed
Screen has bad vertical viewing angles
Flat keyboard keys and lack of some dedicated keys
Dimensions: 16.2” (W) x 12.0” (D) x 1.7 – 2.5” (H)
Build and Design
The Qosmio X305 has the most radical design I have seen to date. In addition to its look-at-me color scheme, its lines also set it apart. The side of the notebook and the lid are curved like an upside-down parentheses, which is truly different. Finding an even surface on this notebook is difficult.
Every single visible bit of the X305's viewable surface is glossy plastic, even the keyboard. Despite its vulnerable appearance, Toshiba's Fusion finish is actually quite durable.
The internal frame of the X305 is rigid, but the exterior plastic construction is thin and has weak points. It is relatively easy to flex most parts of the notebook, especially the lid. The lid's hinge is sturdy, but the display can be twisted side-to-side easily and the back does not have enough reinforcement. Fortunately, no ripples appear in the display when the back is pushed in. Due to this notebook's gargantuan size, it feels hollow.
This is one of the largest notebooks I have tested. It weighs nearly ten pounds, with the power adapter adding another two, and is an insane two and a quarter inches thick at its highest point.
Despite the X305's radicalness and my initial rejection of what Toshiba's designers had created, I must admit the notebook's look has grown on me, and I actually think it is well done. The swooping lines meld together well, and the overall look of the notebook is polished (pun intended). The entire base around the keyboard of the notebook is downright elegant, especially the speaker grilles, touchpad buttons, and the strip of chrome red plastic surrounding the base of the notebook. The flame-covered back lid is quite attractive in person and is fitting on this notebook. There is not a single part of the X305 that looks out of place in relation to the rest.
I was originally in the crowd of "wow, that's an ugly design" surrounding the X305. However now that I have spent significant time with this beast, my opinion has done a 180. Toshiba has created something unique and beautiful. I highly recommend that anyone who is curious about this notebook to go see it in person at a brick and mortar retailer, and spend some time with it.
Display
The X305-Q708 has a 17-inch WSXGA+ (1680x1050 pixels) glossy display. It has ample brightness, good contrast, and is not grainy. Viewing angles are typical for an LCD – great from side-to-side, but colors wash out from above and darken from below. Though the display passes my judgment, it is not stand-out in any particular way, and is actually below-par next to competitors in this price range. My major complaint is the resolution; a gaming notebook of this caliber should have a full HD WUXGA (1920x1200 pixels) resolution. Nevertheless, the X305-Q708 has a satisfactory but not outstanding display.
Speakers
It is appropriate to call the X305 a portable boombox, because it is one. The four harman/kardon speakers and subwoofer are absolutely fantastic – clarity is excellent, they get very loud, and the bass isn't just noticeable, but can actually be felt. Sound quality is present at all volume levels, which is impressive. The Toshiba X305 is unsurpassed when it comes to notebook sound. I am going to miss these speakers dearly.
Heat and Noise
Three centrifugal fans on the bottom of the notebook jet hot air out the back of the notebook. The X305's cooling system did a fantastic job of keeping the notebook cool during hours of gaming. The three fans create noise, but it is in the form of air rushing, not motor whine, and can be dismissed as background noise.
Keyboard
As someone who places extreme importance on input device quality, I consider the X305's keyboard to be quite disappointing. It does not feel solid at all. On good keyboards, keys give ample feedback when fully depressed; there is multi-step feedback loop for each key. You can feel the key providing resistance while being depressed, be able to tell how long and how much distance it took to reach the bottom, the key hitting the bottom, and the key pushing your finger up to the top again. The X305's keyboard provides no such feedback. Key travel (the distance between the keyboard and the bottom) is vague, since there is a lot of flex – using a small amount of pressure, the whole keyboard caves in. There is clearly a lot of space between the bottom of the keyboard and a solid surface. The keys are not springy enough and this further adds to the vague feel. The keys are made of very thin plastic and, combined with the hollow sound the keys make when depressed, feel and sound cheap.
While gaming, I had issues pressing down keys – if I pressed the [W] key down on an angle, it sometimes jammed. Not good.
Touchpad
Fortunately, the touchpad fared better. It has a nice granular surface, which means tracking accuracy does not depend on whether your fingers are moist or dry. The two shiny buttons have a hollow sound but are overall solid and relatively quiet.
Touch Buttons
Above the keyboard are a series of touch-sensitive buttons. There are keys for multimedia playback, muting the sound, shutting off all the lights, opening the camera, and a sound control panel launcher. By far the best two features are the ability to mute the sound and shut off the lights.
Input & Output Ports
This calls for a picture tour – all descriptions are left to right
Right side: Volume control knob, headphone + SP/DIF output, microphone, 2x USB 2.0, and (behind flap), 5-in-1 media card reader and 56k modem jack
Left side: eSATA/USB combo port, USB, ExpressCard/54 slot
There is a huge variety of ports here. The most notable ports are the HDMI, DisplayPort, and eSATA. The volume control knob is especially nice, and makes adjusting the volume a cinch.
Wireless
The Atheros wireless card provided problem-free wireless Internet. I was able to connect to a number of different wireless networks with no problem. The internal Bluetooth wireless works as expected.
Battery
A unique feature of the X305-Q708 is Nvidia's hybrid SLI technology. This notebook actually has three graphics cards – yes that is correct, three graphics cards. On battery, the integrated Nvidia GeForce 9400M integrated graphics take over and the dual 9800M-GTS cards shut off, greatly reducing power consumption. The included 8-cell, 47Wh battery provided one hour and 48 minutes of life, which is reasonable for a machine of this caliber. This seems to be an odd feature to implement in a notebook like this, since users of the X305 most likely do not have battery life high on their list of requirements.
Operating System & Software
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit is pre-installed on the Q708, with an unfortunately large amount of bloatware. Trial software, useless games, and other unwanted bits of software litter the main drive. Seeing this kind of bloatware on a $4,200 notebook borders on offensive. Toshiba also includes an inordinate amount of utilities.
Customer Support
The X305-708 comes with a one-year warranty. On a $4,200 notebook, this is also a disappointment. Notebooks with a pricetag higher than a down payment on a car should have a more extensive warranty. I had some issues with Toshiba's support site as well. I went to the site to get new video drivers for this notebook, but to my surprise, no drivers for any device are even listed under the X305. On the positive, the support site was easy to navigate.
Conclusion
The Toshiba Qosmio X305 is the most uniquely-designed notebook I have tested. This notebook is unlike any other and anyone who carries it will get looks wherever they go. It has good gaming performance and an effective cooling system. The sound system is the best on any notebook, and the variety of ports is impressive. Unfortunately, there are too many cons for me to give this notebook my recommendation, at least in this configuration at this price point. It simply does not measure up to the competition. Lower-priced versions of the X305 around the $2,000 price point are available and a far better value than our top-of-the-line Q708 model.
Pros:
Unique design
Mobile quad-core power
Plays modern games well
Excellent cooling system
Fantastic sound system
Port variety is outstanding
Cons:
Poor value
Display is nothing special, not full HD resolution
Keyboard is a mess
Slow 128GB SSD
Intel Extreme processor not overclockable
Competitor's notebooks at this price point have superior gaming performance
The Apple MacBook Air "Core 2 Duo" 1.6 13" -- affectionately dubbed the "MBA" for short -- was Apple's first serious foray into the subnotebook market since the PowerBook 2400c and the PowerBook Duo line (although PowerBook G4 12" models also were rather small).
