Toshiba is the leading promoter of HD-DVD-one of two competing formats for high-definition discs-so the company rushed to add HD movie capability to its flagship laptops. (Sony, sponsor of the rival Blu-ray Disc, will similarly equip its top-of-the-line Vaio AR.) The sad fact is, these two HD standards are incompatible, and only a handful of movies are available for either one of them. Setting aside the issue of high definition for a moment, the 3,000 dollars Qosmio is an attractive choice if you are looking for a compact system that can handle a full range of Windows chores while also functioning as a TV set, movie player, and audio system. The Qosmio has the highest-quality audio that I have encountered on a laptop, with excellent simulated surround-sound using Dolby Laboratories technology. The video system produces gorgeous high-resolution images on the laptop screen, or on a high-definition TV set when hooked up using a special cable. (Ask for an HDMI cable-don't worry what the letters stand for.) The Qosmio is capable of showing maximum resolution HDTV on either built-in or external displays.
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