Toshiba's Qosmio G30 is first laptop with HD DVD-R

Seeing how HD DVD burners are still quite a new idea for the desktop set, you can imagine our delight at discovering Toshiba's new Qosmio G30 laptop, which sports the elusive drive within its portable frame. Well, almost portable. At 10.6 pounds, we're not sure any mortal lap -- not to mention tray table -- could support this thing, but we really expected nothing less the first time around. The 17-inch display rocks it True HD style at 1920 x 1200, plus if you get bored with your selection of HD DVDs, there's always the analog and digital TV tuners to keep you entertained. Other specs on the G30/97A include a 2GHz Core 2 Duo T7200 processor, 1GB of RAM, dual 160GB HDDs, NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 graphics with 256MB of RAM, and just about every kind of connectivity you could think of -- USB 2.0, Firewire, PCMCIA, ExpressCard/54, multi-card reader, 802.11a/b/g, gigabit Ethernet, modem, VGA, S-video, S/PDIF and HDMI. Of course, in light of the G30/97A's 400,000 yen pricetag ($3,320 US), you might be interested in its G30/95A sibling, which for 280,000 yen ($2,324 US) drops the HD DVD for a DVD burner, swaps HDMI for DVI and skimps on a few other specs like a 1440 x 900 display resolution. If that's too much bulk, but you'd still like Toshiba to keep you in the medias, Toshiba is also announcing its Qosmio F30 laptops, which still include frills like digital tuners and S/PDIF, but drop those ExpressCard slots, along with pulling the display size down to a manageable 15.4-inches, at a 1280 x 800 resolution. Prices start at 200,000 yen ($1,660 US), and all of these new laptops feature Windows Vista Home Premium.

[Via Impress]

[applesucksLeo @ Jan 15th 2007 12:19PM]

My dream laptop...sigh :(

[Tim UF @ Jan 15th 2007 12:34PM]

1gig of Ram is kimd of skimpy on a $3k laptop is it not?

[Kevlar @ Jan 15th 2007 1:17PM]

1gb is REALLY skimpy. Just bought me a MacBook Pro for slightly under $3000 (my wallet hurts), looks like a much nicer multi-purpose computer, and has 2gb ram.

[Tim UF @ Jan 15th 2007 1:37PM]

yea, i bought a vaio in sept... same processor, discrete graphics (128mb), 13.3" screen... 2gig ram. throw in the cingular card and bluetooth thats on it... not a bad deal for ~$2k... just make sure you have the obligatory board of wood to set it on while its on your lap, its a burner!

[kevin rummelhart @ Jan 15th 2007 2:21PM]

I'm sorry it is just butt ugly... (And I'm not even an Apple guy!)

[Richard3T @ Jan 15th 2007 2:41PM]

I don't know why engadget uses an old picture from a Qosmio model and a Japanese link to show this laptop, this machine was showcased by Toshiba 10 days ago at CES: (Toshiba Showcasing First Notebook Computer with HD DVD-R Drive at CES 2007) http://blog.americasnewstoday.com/2007/01/08/toshiba-showcasing-first-notebook-computer-with-hd-dvdr-drive-at-ces-2007.aspx

[Ken @ Jan 15th 2007 3:13PM]

Go7600 is nothing to be impressed about, especially at that weight.

[Z @ Jan 17th 2007 12:09AM]

This laptop is nearing exactly what I'd want on a mobile system - the specs are great - but no cigar. Not quite yet.

This system needs a much better graphics system. An Nvidia 7600 w/only 256MB is an insult to this laptop. With all these specs, they should have a 7950 GTX w/512MB at the very least, and maybe even an SLI setup with two 7950's for a total of 1GB.

They're missing an extended keyboard, which I prefer (although some don't care for those). But they have plenty of room to make it happen. And while they're at it, backlight it, too.

They also need a swiveling video camera. Every laptop these days should have one of those.

The last thing would be a Dual-link DVI port. I know they have HDMI in there, and that's fantastic, but they also have VGA at the same time. Why not have DL-DVI and HDMI at the same time, instead? I'd like to hook up to those larger 30" LCD's, and those require DL-DVI, not just DVI, and certainly not VGA.

I'm not sure, but I think this system may even have a biometric fingerprint reader. If not, they need to add that as well.

And yes, 2GB RAM should be standard at that price. 1GB is a joke.


If they make those changes, I couldn't imagine anything else I'd want.


I LOVE the volume dial. You never see that anymore, and I'd prefer that to buttons anytime. So great job on that, Toshiba. And great job on the other specs! Just please consider the new ones I listed above.

[scott @ Jan 29th 2007 1:52AM]

I have a Qosmio G20. This device sports an all linux package. motherboard, ram chips, tv tuner, modem, and set for linux pc cards. running osx for medical applications due to the rw/dvr unit is a panasonic UJ-845-c that seems to have not even been released for the US. Yet. I have it! As much good as it is. I was locked out of use by unseen forces who apparently didn't want me to tamper with thier little experiments. I am not lab rat! seems to be a nice $3000.00 plus paper wieght! sence I unplugged every concievable outsource of power supply, dissasembled the system completly. aaahhh. much better! every componant dosent seem to exist in the free world! At least not to witch anyone will take credit for! I will be selling the coponants each sold seperatlly to who ever might want them. This will at least get me my money back! or whole package at once, doesnt matter to me! have reciepts and many classified doc's obtained since it's arrival. see ya on E-bay! signed unsincerly SCOTT TODD NILSON!

[scott @ Jan 29th 2007 1:41AM]

WELL? WHAT OTHER CHOISE DO I HAVE?

[scott @ Jan 29th 2007 2:08AM]

yes I scott todd nilson confirm my comments. I have physical evedence of linux and other org's. and national organization in full combined effort to bring forth a monopoly of progamming that will leave the public without choise of venue or optional concent of buisness or choise of who provides those services. this is at far from a joke! I have proof! I am ready to show it!

[scott @ Jan 29th 2007 2:12AM]

I hope this is getting out because I just opened pandora's box! I have recieved many underwriten threats, this is no joke! If your out there? stand up now and be noticed! hp, cisco services with the airnet, microsoft, toshiba, and all to most cellular services. the people have a word! It is enough!

[scott @ Jan 29th 2007 2:12AM]

I hope this is getting out because I just opened pandora's box! I have recieved many underwriten threats, this is no joke! If your out there? stand up now and be noticed! hp, cisco services with the airnet, microsoft, toshiba, and all to most cellular services. the people have a word! It is enough!

[scott @ Jan 29th 2007 2:12AM]

I hope this is getting out because I just opened pandora's box! I have recieved many underwriten threats, this is no joke! If your out there? stand up now and be noticed! hp, cisco services with the airnet, microsoft, toshiba, and all to most cellular services. the people have a word! It is enough!

[scott @ Jan 29th 2007 2:12AM]

I hope this is getting out because I just opened pandora's box! I have recieved many underwriten threats, this is no joke! If your out there? stand up now and be noticed! hp, cisco services with the airnet, microsoft, toshiba, and all to most cellular services. the people have a word! It is enough!

[scott @ Jan 29th 2007 2:12AM]

I hope this is getting out because I just opened pandora's box! I have recieved many underwriten threats, this is no joke! If your out there? stand up now and be noticed! hp, cisco services with the airnet, microsoft, toshiba, and all to most cellular services. the people have a word! It is enough!

[scott @ Jan 29th 2007 2:12AM]

I hope this is getting out because I just opened pandora's box! I have recieved many underwriten threats, this is no joke! If your out there? stand up now and be noticed! hp, cisco services with the airnet, microsoft, toshiba, and all to most cellular services. the people have a word! It is enough!

[scott @ Jan 29th 2007 2:13AM]

I hope this is getting out because I just opened pandora's box! I have recieved many underwriten threats, this is no joke! If your out there? stand up now and be noticed! hp, cisco services with the airnet, microsoft, toshiba, and all to most cellular services. the people have a word! It is enough!

[scott @ Jan 29th 2007 2:13AM]

I hope this is getting out because I just opened pandora's box! I have recieved many underwriten threats, this is no joke! If your out there? stand up now and be noticed! hp, cisco services with the airnet, microsoft, toshiba, and all to most cellular services. the people have a word! It is enough!

[scott @ Jan 29th 2007 2:13AM]

I hope this is getting out because I just opened pandora's box! I have recieved many underwriten threats, this is no joke! If your out there? stand up now and be noticed! hp, cisco services with the airnet, microsoft, toshiba, and all to most cellular services. the people have a word! It is enough!

[jess @ Nov 30th 2008 6:35PM]

are you from modesto?

[jeff @ Aug 3rd 2007 5:56AM]

Another pile of junk from toshiba. It really is my own fault because after 2 previous G30's had hard drive failures and my P20 is dead, I should have not bought this thing. Right from day one, choppy HD-DVD, continually freezes up, shuts down, closes windows, ignores keystrokes, and now another hard drive failure.
Toshiba and the warranty people have been rude and try everything to avoid having to deal with these machines. These computers have cost me a considerable amount of lost time, money and caused a great deal of frustration and inconvenience.
I need to find a firm pursuing a class action regearding these models.