Since its debut in August 2004, Toshiba's Qosmio line has been at the forefront of laptop technology. With the third-generation model, the Qosmio G35-AV600, Toshiba again delivers a best-in-class multimedia experience that's built on a state-of-the-art set of components, including Intel's new Core Duo chipset, and includes virtually every feature under the sun. As with past models, the G35-AV600 offers one of the best 17-inch wide-screen displays around, a double-layer DVD drive, and an integrated TV tuner, as well as a full complement of ports and connections, a rocking set of stereo speakers, and an unparalleled set of multimedia controls. Thankfully, the price has dropped to $2,399 (from $3,000 for past top-of-the-line models), but this laptop is still a bit much for the casual user. You can certainly get many of these features, albeit in scaled-down form, in other entertainment-themed notebooks, many of which, such as the HP Pavilion dv8000z, the Dell Inspiron E1705, the Fujitsu LifeBook N series, and the Sony VAIO AX, start at a significantly lower price point.
The one thing that's missing from the latest-generation Qosmio, however, is strong gaming performance; unlike past models, the G35-AV600 features a rather low-end GPU, and its gaming performance suffers as a result. Still, if you're looking for a full-featured digital-entertainment system that's portable enough to move from room to room, the Qosmio G35-AV600 is hands-down the best of the lot. 
The Qosmio G35-AV600 is a very big laptop, even for a desktop replacement. Slightly heavier than the previous model, it runs about 16 inches wide, 11.5 inches deep, and just shy of 2 inches thick; it weighs 10.2 pounds, or 11.5 pounds with its big AC adapter.
The keyboard has large, firm keys, though there is no separate number pad, as found on the Pavilion dv8000 and the LifeBook N6210. Above the keyboard resides the most complete set of system and A/V controls we've seen on a laptop; highlights include dedicated controls for display brightness (a rarity on laptops), video signal in and out, and Dolby Home Theater sound.
The Qosmio G35-AV600 is a very big laptop, even for a desktop replacement. Slightly heavier than the previous model, it runs about 16 inches wide, 11.5 inches deep, and just shy of 2 inches thick; it weighs 10.2 pounds, or 11.5 pounds with its big AC adapter.
The keyboard has large, firm keys, though there is no separate number pad, as found on the Pavilion dv8000 and the LifeBook N6210. Above the keyboard resides the most complete set of system and A/V controls we've seen on a laptop; highlights include dedicated controls for display brightness (a rarity on laptops), video signal in and out, and Dolby Home Theater sound.
The Qosmio G35-AV600's touch pad is another unique touch; embedded in it are a number of configurable quick-launch buttons, as well as a volume control. We found it a bit finicky to use but appreciated the ingenuity. Still, we wish there were a touch-pad on/off button--one of our favorite features for a desktop replacement.
The Qosmio G35-AV600's Media Center remote control provides a full complement of multimedia controls and the built-in IR window means that you don't need an external receiver--an improvement over the previous model. We also received a very long USB 2.0 cable, a coaxial cable dongle, a set of composite cables, and a set of optical audio cables. The laptop comes preloaded with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, as well as a nice package of software, including Nero and InterVideo WinDVD Creator 2 for disc burning, plus a number of system utilities.
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