Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q850 user reviews

Pros Very fast. Windows 7. Huge Screen.

Cons Location of volume controls, LOUD beeps when you hit the volume controls, smallish keyboard.

Summary I bought this computer at Frys for $1499. It did not include the SSD and only came with 4 GB of RAM, but everything else is the same as the profiled computer. It was very easy to network and share files with my anchient XP laptop, I love the big screen, and the Blu-Ray playback. The keyboard is a bit small, and the media control buttons are easy to hit by mistake and make an annoying noise. Also not a huge fan of the shiny black fingerprint magnet finish, but overall, I think this thing was a great value, with way more computing power than a Macbook of similar price.

Pros Powerful CPU
Decent GPU
Glossy finishing (perhaps todays mobile trend?)
Cheaper compared to other core i7 notebook from other brands.
Nice screen

Cons Small touch sensative touchpad (but wont be a matter since most gamer would get a gaming mouse.
Best for mainstream gamers.

Summary Where To Buy?
On Cnet site, you may get it from a Sears store for 1799.99USD.

By the way, there is other version of tis nice looking notebook, which are under 1500USD that is worthy to check it out.

Pros A beast regarding specs and performance.

Cons Power adapter input designed on the right side of of this laptop, so if you right handed this can be a nuisance. Volume a little low. Out of the 1 year that I have owned this laptop I have had it work properly only 6 months. Thats unfortunate.

Summary Let me begin by saying I have been a Toshiba laptop customer for 11 years now, and over that span of time I have owned 4 laptops, 3 of them would be considered high end model's. (Model's as follows: Satellite 5202-S703, Qosmio G25-AV513, Qosmio G45-AV680, and Qosmio x505-880) I had experience some problems in the past with some of the machines, but to Toshiba' credit they resolved them to my satisfaction even after having to send in one of their models for repair. Overall I have been a relatively happy Toshiba customer.

This is a review is about the Qosmio x505-880 model.

I ordered the Qosmio x505-880 on 12/9/09. I received my laptop on Wed, Feb 10, 2010 at 1:58 PM (2 months later). After opening and setting up the laptop, I notice that it would shut down intermittently and restart. I immediately contacted customer support who tried brief troubleshoots. They quickly realized that it was a hardware issue, and generated a return procedure and I shipped back my new $2300.00 laptop. Toshiba shipped me out a new laptop on Tue, Mar 9, 2010 at 7:45 AM (4 months after my initial purchase). The months following, the Qosmio x505-880 worked without any problems, the only concerning observations was the design placement of the AC adapter power cord input which was on the ride side of the laptop, so if you are right handed and use your mouse on the right side you are bothered by the obstruction of the power cord. The only other disappointment was the volume, even with Windows sound mixer at maximum it seemed a little low. Otherwise I found the laptop to perform as expected.

The problem began 4 months ago (around October of 2010) when I noticed it started to shut itself off intermittently as did the first Qosmio x505-880 that I received. I decided to monitor it and see if there was any improvement after I updated the bios and Windows 7 OS updates. Unfortunately, this did not resolve the issue but the problem became progressively worse. I contacted Toshiba's customer service who walked me through some troubleshooting procedures, this however did not resolve the problem. The Toshiba representative generated a return ticket to have it sent to their repair depot this was done on Mon, Dec 27, 2010 at 11:17 AM.

So far as of Monday, February 07, 2011, I have yet to receive my Qosmio x505-880 or an expected repair and return date. I contacted the customer support person who appeared mildly interested but responded by saying that currently Toshiba internal procedures was experiencing some upgrades so that they were not able to speak with the repair depot regarding the laptop repair status and that he would not be able to help me. I appreciated him initiating my speaking to a case manager, which is where things became more difficult. She mention that she was "sorry for any inconvenience" but after she emailed the repair depot that there was "nothing else that she could do for me", and that I "should call her back in 24 to 48 hours" I asked if there was someone else that I could speak with and her reply was "no" and that "she was the highest authority that Toshiba would allow me to correspond with". I then asked if there was someone like a district or regional customer care manager that I could email, to which she replied "they don't have the time to respond to customers". Her idea of resolving my concerns was to call her back in a couple of days (even though she would not leave me her extension number so I guess I would have to find her through the phone tree). I pointed out that I was left unsatisfied after this experience. Her reply was "she apologized for the inconvenience and that there was nothing more that she could do".


Since I shopped and purchased Qosmio x505-880 beginning on 12/9/09, I have only had a problem free working computer for around 6 months and out of the two that I have had both of them were faulty. A small piece of irony, I recommend the Qosmio to my closest friend, he bought a Qosmio x505-895s and hasn't had any problems.

Pros Amazing Screen
Powerful CPU
Sleek Look
Great Sound
Windows 7

Cons Glossy cover is a finger print magnet
Screen/Lid precariously flimsy
AC plug very weakly connected to computer

Summary If you are going to shell out big bucks for a big Windows laptop, you could do a lot worse than this computer. The power of this unit is well documented and it rings true when you bring it home. The 18 inch screen is one of the best you are going to see on ANY unit. It is truly gorgeous and shines when you play Blue-Ray movies on it. Along with the Karman speakers it is a truly great entertainment/gaming experience. I use mine for work and play and WIndows 7 makes it very easy. I run multiple programs with no issues and the solid state HD makes keeping my software in order effortless. While there are great features with this computer, there are some issues that keep it from being a perfect unit. The screen is great but precariously flimsy. Not a problem when its new but down the road might be a big problem. The glossy cover is beautiful but hard to keep looking nice when you handle it a lot. Finally the AC cord has a hard time staying connected to the computer. This might be a problem with my unit only but is very problematic especially when you consider that units like the Mac have an AC cord that stays magnetically connected (a feature I loved). All in all the Toshiba computer is great. I would recommend it for people that need a work hard/play hard unit and dont mind the fact that they will have to buy a specially made laptop carrying case.

Updated on May 11, 2010

I have seen complaints of the volume controls on the left of the unit making noise when used. If you go the the controls of the computer you can actually eliminate the sound that they make. The touch pad could be better to be sure but this is a minimal problem that is easily handled with the use of a mouse. I have also found that the "left/right click" buttons arent really placed in the best place. I am still very happy with the unit and would still recommend it for people who need a fast, powerful unit that has them covered at work and at play.