Irvine (CA) - Having announced the first HD DVD notebook not quite four weeks ago in Japan, Toshiba today said that the system now is available in the US as well. If you are willing to spend $3000, this is your first opportunity to watch an HD movie on a computer screen.

The Qosmio G35-AV650 carries over the case design of the $2400 G35-AV600 that has been sold in North America for several months. However, the $600 premium of the HD DVD device does not only buy a high-definition optical drive, but also an upgraded graphics chip (GeForce Go 7600), a faster processor (Core Duo T2500, 2.0 GHz), more hard disk space (two 100 GB SATA drives) and a higher resolution 17" widescreen that can display 1920 by 1200 pixels.

Of course, the G35-AV650’s selling point is the HD DVD drive. However, just as the previously launched family room HD DVD players, the PC drives output is also limited to 1080i (1920 x 1080 interlaced) and cannot run 1080p resolution, which many consider as "true" high definition. For users who would like to watch movies on an external display, there is an HDMI port (1080i) which can connect the notebook, for example, to HDTVs that also integrate an HDMI port.

Other features of the system include a proprietary video processing engine, Dolby Home Theater that can connect to either 2-channel or 5.1-channel speaker systems, a 1-bit digital amplifier, 1 GB system memory as well as Harmon Kardon speakers. A built-in TV tuner comes standard.

According to Toshiba, the G35-AV650’s is available now through the firm’s online store and will also be available at major consumer electronics and computer stores nationwide.