Toshiba Launches First Cell CPU-based Laptop

On Tuesday, Toshiba launched the Qosmio G55-802, the first laptop available with the Cell CPU. Yep, think PS3 technology, developed jointly by Toshiba, Sony, and IBM. The laptop has the following features, for $1549.99:

  • Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1, 64-bit)
  • Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1, 32-bit)
  • Tohiba Quad Core HD Processor
  • Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P7350 (2 GHz)
  • NVIDIA® GeForce 9600M GT
  • 4GB PC2-6400 DDR2 800MHz SDRAM
  • 500GB: Two 250GB 5400rpm hard drives
  • DVD-SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) with Labelflash drive
  • Atheros Wireless LAN (802.11b/g/n)
  • Bluetooth V2.1 + EDR
  • 18.4" Screen

However, in particular, the Cell CPU is not about gaming, but about a multimedia experience. Taking the load away from the Intel CPU, the Cell processor performs the following, as Toshiba indicates on the site

Gesture Control


What if you could start, pause, fast-forward and rewind a movie without a remote control—just by moving your hands? No, it’s not part of a sci-fi novel but Toshiba’s new Gesture Control technology. And it’s unbelievable. Used with your DVD player, Windows Media Player and other select programs, it offers cutting-edge simplicity and convenience. Amazing!


Face Navigation


—or that unforgettable scene in home movies and Hollywood films. From your favorite actor to dear Aunt Freda, the new Toshiba Face Navigation feature captures facial expressions so you can quickly locate the part of the video you want to see. It also provides thumbnails of scenes and soundtracks to help you find your way around. Very cool.


Transcoding


If you’re into home video editing you know how long it can take to process those big files before your masterpiece is ready—sometimes over an hour to convert a typical 1GB movie. But with the powerful new Toshiba Quad Core HD Processor, transcoding can take as little time as ten minutes. You’ll be finished so fast they’ll be raving for a sequel.

Upscaling to HD

With the Toshiba upconvert technology on the amazing Qosmio G55-Q802 laptop you can output movies in glorious high-definition on your home entertainment system. This technology can upscale standard-definition video to high-definition*—and breathe new life into your entertainment. So why settle for low resolution any longer?
Interestingly (and necessary, with 4 GB of RAM), the system comes with 64-bit Vista installed by default, but 32-bit Vista ships with the laptop as well.