Toshiba X305-Q725: Quad-Core Gaming Notebook
by Jarred Walton on March 11, 2009 1:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Laptops
Conclusion
So, we've now tested our first quad-core notebook. As you might expect, the results are mixed, with some areas benefitting while other areas actually end up with lower performance. If you're not a fan of large desktop replacement notebooks, the X305-Q725 won't change your mind. It's still bulky and heavy, battery life is poor, and performance still isn't anywhere near the level of top desktop solutions. However, some users don't want a desktop and don't mind the added size and weight; all they want is a powerful laptop that they can transport from place to place when the need arises. If you're looking for that sort of system, can the Toshiba X305-Q725 meet your needs?
For gaming performance, we have to conclude that there are simply faster options out there. We don't even need the new GTX 280M graphics chips to surpass the single 9800M GTX; two 9800M GT or 8800M GTX chips will offer up to 80% more performance. You might guess that such laptops will cost more than the X305-Q725, and certainly some do, but others are available at very competitive prices.
So if gaming performance isn't the selling point, what about the quad-core CPU? Is the X305-Q725 with the Q9000 a good selection for highly threaded tasks? On its own, it would be better than any of the other laptops we've compared it to, but we need to look at the market as a whole. If all you need is raw CPU performance, there are other laptops with quad-core CPUs that cost quite a bit less. One example that just launched (and which we currently have for testing) is the Gateway FX P-7808u, which has a GeForce 9800M GTS 1GB and a Q9000 and retails for around $1850.
If you want even more performance, there's no beating desktop CPUs. The Clevo D901C can support up to a Q9650 (3.0GHz), which should be about 50% faster in CPU limited tests than the Q9000. Throw in dual 9800M GTX GPUs and in some cases it will be nearly twice as fast. Clevo also has the D900F ready to begin shipping in April, which will pack a desktop Core i7 CPU for true workstation level performance. The X305-Q708 is another option if you like the design of the 725 but want more performance. It includes dual 9800M GT cards, though, so from a price and performance standpoint the Clevo D901C would be the better buy.
Looking at the big picture, the X305-Q725 currently has an MSRP of $2700. That's less than a faster, more powerful DTR, but the jump from $2700 to $3300 is only a 22% increase for 50% to 100% more performance. If you're willing to spend $2700 on a large, powerful laptop, an extra $600 that will bring non-linear performance improvements seems pretty reasonable. (Note that you can skip the second 9800M GTX on the D901C and save the $700.)
For what you get, the Toshiba X305-Q725 is a decent DTR type notebook. It definitely doesn't break any notions about what a desktop replacement can provide, but the overall feature set is pretty good. If you feel you need a quad-core CPU, high-end mobile GPU, and an SSD, the X305-Q725 is a viable option. However, the periodic stability issues are a serious concern, and when you're spending this much money that can be a deal breaker. We don't recommend DTRs for most users, but even so we feel there are better options out there.
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Beno - Thursday, March 19, 2009 - link
"there are users that want this sort of system, and this review is targeted at that audience. Everything clear? Good, let's continue."these users need professional help!
szcsongor - Thursday, September 3, 2009 - link
Why? It's that hard to imagine that there are people (as me) who are travelling a lot (and working in different countries) AND who want a system, what is good for work and playing with the latest games? Travelling with a desktop PC is rather difficult...The truth is that I bought this rig in a refurbished (but perfect) condition for 1800USD, and for this price I think it wan't a bad deal. I wouldn't have paid 2000+USD for it either...
InternetGeek - Sunday, March 15, 2009 - link
I for one find the Qosmio's shape horrible, but the computer is a decent one. That Clevo smokes it on most benchmarks though, and does look nice as well. Where would you buy one online?JarredWalton - Sunday, March 15, 2009 - link
AVA Direct, Sager, and WidowPC all come to mind immediately. Eurocom is another option. The last I looked, I think Sager was actually the cheapest place for a fully equipped Clevo D901C system, but that can change at any time. Also, as I mentioned in a blog post, Clevo is coming out with the D900F that will use Core i7 desktop CPUs, so if you want more performance that's an option come ~April.Globemaster - Friday, March 13, 2009 - link
I'm away from home for up to 220 days per year, so without my Sager (Clevo 901C) I wouldn't be able to play the games I want, ever. My limited time at home needs to be spent keeping up the house/yard and with the family. I only get to game on the road, hence the utility of these types of notebooks - it's obviously a niche, but it seems like almost everything is these days.vj8usa - Thursday, March 12, 2009 - link
How come the specs of the laptops being compared against aren't all listed? It'd be nice to know what kind of hardware you're pitting this laptop against. It'd also be nice to perhaps put the CPU/GPU of each laptop next to its name in the charts.JarredWalton - Thursday, March 12, 2009 - link
If you visit the http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/">Mobile section of our site, you'll be able to find all the specs of recently tested laptops. Most of them are in the http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.aspx?i=339...">gaming laptop roundup, and then there's a http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.aspx?i=341...">couple more http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.aspx?i=343...">laptop roundups. The http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.aspx?i=337...">Gateway P-7811 was covered in a separate article. I suppose I could try to include specs, but the problem is with this many laptops included in results the specs page would get very long. I sort of assume people that follow the mobile articles have read the previous reviews and know what to expect, but that's obviously not the case all the time.7Enigma - Thursday, March 12, 2009 - link
Nice article, but I'd like to request that you put a "higher is better" or "lower is better", or whatever determines better for each of color graphs. Only the last one says "lower is better" and I'm completely naive to these tests.JarredWalton - Thursday, March 12, 2009 - link
All of the graphs are sorted so that the better scores are at the top of the charts. As for what the terms mean, I discuss that more in depth in an article I http://www.anandtech.com/displays/showdoc.aspx?i=2...">wrote a while back. In terms of what they should be, normally I'm fine with a maximum brightness of 200 nits, and a contrast ratio of 500:1 or better.Color accuracy and gamut are nice to have, but if you don't do image editing or color matching it often doesn't matter. If that's the case, good black levels might be more important than raw color accuracy. Watch a movie on a display with a poor black level, and even if the colors were accurate you'd likely be somewhat annoyed by the missing blacks.
Hope that helps some.
7Enigma - Thursday, March 12, 2009 - link
That makes it much easier. Maybe just a single line (if you don't want to put Lower/Higher is better) at the beginning of the section saying they are ranked from best to worst in each of the graphs? For instance, I have a pretty good understanding of calibration from performing maintainence on my RPTV, and so things like contrast, black level, color bleed into white, etc. I get. So I get that contrast ratio should be high, but didn't necessarily think the black level number should be low (makes sense now, but not when I was first viewing the charts).Anyways very nice review. I especially liked that you qualified the review in the first paragraph (and reiterated throughout) stating whom this laptop is targeted at which should (hopefully) limit the regular criticisms in the comments section against this niche market. I personally don't have a use for it, but enjoy reading about the new mobile pseudo-desktops, and certainly understand their value for several different professions.
Now go and pressure Anand for the SSD roundup! :) Please...