This particular netbook stacks up well to comparable competition with an affordable price tag of $399. In addition, its lengthy battery life, comfortable keyboard, sharp webcam, and generally lustrous design give it an advantage over its main opponents. The quality of the built-in speakers Is the only thing holding the netbook down, and even that can be remedied easily with a pair of earbuds. One thing I would recommend if you find this netbook is right for you, is to upgrade the internal RAM from the standard 1GB to a 2 GB stick. Generally the upgrade won’t run you more than $30 and is a quick and easy installation.
Toshiba NB205: Battery Life and Tech Specs
Intel’s 1.66-GHz Atom N280 processor makes the Toshiba NB205 a notch faster than most competitors but is not enough to make the processor stand out. All common netbook programs, such as Firefox, Open Office, and Skype, ran smoothly on the system and we saw no hiccups as we ran our tests. Its 5,400 rpm 160GB hard drive is standard, with no detrimental or outstanding features. Notable, however, is Toshiba’s built-in accelerometer, which will shield the drive from any sudden drops, which could potentially deal significant damage to the device. Luckily, the settings are adjustable as needed because in our tests of the accelerometer we found that at standard settings, with each touch the Toshiba netbook anticipated that it was about to fall from an airborne plane. If you experience the same exaggerations then it would be wise to tone down the device’s sensitivity.
The six-cell 5800 mAH lithium ion battery is really one of the shining features of the netbook and stands above the competition by staying alive even through a application-filled day. Our tests saw the netbook lasting well over 9 hours, not just while surfing the net, but also during battery-draining activities such as streaming video, webcaming through Skype on WiFI, all with a Bluetooth mouse attached. We were wondering at one point whether we accidentally had it plugged in.
Toshiba NB205: Structure and Design
The design of the NB205 features a series of grooved, diagonal lines that covers the outer surface, screen frame, and touch pad, having a unique look and texture. The dimensions of the netbook are 10.4” x 7.6” x 1.3”, not including the battery. With the battery, the dimensions are 10.4” x 8.4” x 1.27”, which is just a tad bit bulkier. Although it is very portable, it is actually quite thick in comparison to other netbooks. The exact weight of the NB205 is 2.8 pounds, which is reasonable for those that need a handy computer.
Some additional features of the NB205 are the 3-in-1 memory card reader, 3 USB ports, VGA Out, Ethernet port, and Audio in & out. One of the USB ports has enough power to support USB devices even after the netbook is asleep. In addition, it comes with a Kensington lock port that will prove to be useful when you want to put your attention elsewhere, giving you the needed protection.
Toshiba NB205: Screen, Webcam, and Sound Quality
The NB205’s wide screen is 10.1 inches, supports a 1024 by 600 resolution, and is embossed with a glossy finish. The multimedia experience was pleasant – the screen did not glare, even at different angles. At 0.3 megapixels, the webcam produced a clear image and did not freeze up at sudden movements (tested on Skype). However, the NB204 definitely has room to improve in the audio department – the speakers could definitely be of better quality. However, the placement of the speakers was very clever and fit well below the front of the netbook.
Operating System:
OS Provided: Windows XP Home
Processor
CPU Type: Intel Atom
CPU: Speed N280(1.66GHz)CPU L2 Cache 512KB
Chipset
Chipset: Intel 945GSE
Display
Screen Size: 10.1″
Widescreen Display: Yes
Display Type: WSVGA
Max Resolution: 1024 x 600
Display Feature: LED backlight
Graphics
Graphics Processor: Intel GMA950
Video Memory: Shared system memory
Memory
Memory: 1GB
Max Memory Supported: 2GB
Hard Drive
HDD 160GB
Hard Drive RPM: 5400 RPM
Hard Drive Interface: SATA
Dimension & Weight
Dimension: 10.4″ x 7.6″ x 1.0-1.27″
Weight :2.93 lbs.
Netbook Camera
Camera Type: Built-in
Communications
LAN: 10/100Mbps
WLAN: 802.11b/g Wireless LAN
Expansion / Connectivity
USB: 3
Video Ports: 1 x VGA
Audio Ports: 1 x Microphone jack; 1 x Headphone jack
Audio
Audio: Integrated Sound Card
Speaker: Built-in speaker(mono)
Input Device
Touchpad: Yes
Keyboard:85 key US keyboard
Card Reader
Card Reader: Memory Card Reader
Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Multi Media Card [shared slot]
Power
AC Adapter:30-watt AC adapter
Battery
Battery: 6-cell lithium ion
Battery Life: Up to 9.08 hours