Toshiba Mini NB305-N410WH 10.1-Inch Frost White Netbook

Lowest Price

: 389

Brand

: Toshiba

Model

: PLL3AU-00K00C

Reviewer: Rogue H| Date:2010-01-27

After quite a bit of research on various types of netbooks, I went with the Toshiba NB305. After 2 weeks of use I'm very happy with it.

The most striking feature of the netbook is the chiclet keyboard. It's fantastic, and much more comfortable than keyboards I've tried on other netbooks. The touch pad is also excellent. It is quite large for a netbook and has some nice multi-touch features.

This netbook is extremely lightweight and the battery life is as advertised. For normal usage such as web surfing, listening to music, and word processing, I get 8-10 hours of battery life. Toshiba software makes it easy to alter the power settings, depending on whether you want max battery life or increased processor performance.

The design of this laptop is very appealing. I bought the white version and it looks very nice, mildly contrasting against the matte silver keyboard and stainless strip covering the hinge. Also I very much appreciate that all the surfaces on this laptop are matte, rather than glossy. It keeps it looking nice and clean as opposed to smudgy from fingerprints.

My one gripe about this computer is that it comes with Windows 7 "Starter." What a crappy operating system. Among (many) other limitations, it restricts the number of applications you can run concurrently and simple features such as changing the background art are unavailable in the starter version. So basically you need to upgrade as soon as you get this computer. That makes the cost of this laptop $500, including the cost of upgrading to usable version of Windows 7. Personally, I would have preferred a full version of Windows XP as in the Toshiba NB205.

Operating system aside, this is an excellent netbook and I would strongly recommend it over the Asus Eee PC 1005HA or Acer 532H netbooks.

Review from Review from Amazon

Reviewer: Thomas Neil Kiser| Date:2010-01-26

I have to say right off the bat that I have this netbook as well as a fully loaded, majorly powered, Dell XPS laptop. So, I can't help but compare the two, even though I know objectively that is not fair. So, while my mind knows that they are apples and oranges, I believe my commentary may at times be somewhat shaded with subliminal comparisons.

I purchased the netbook because I found that the weight of my XPS laptop was preventing me from taking it with me everywhere I went. As an aspiring writer, I feel the need to have my word processor always at hand so when inpiration strikes I can capture it.

The Toshiba NB305 (I have the white version) fits the bill.

Notes: I upgraded to 2Gb memory module and Windows 7 Home Premium immediately. So, I never ran this device with only 1 Gb of memory or just Windows 7 Starter Edition.

Pros:
- It is very lightweight and I have no problems whatsoever throwing it into a bag to take with me.
- It feels solidly built.
- It has exactly what I need in an ultraportable and nothing more. My biggest mistake so far is trying to move my flag from my XPS to the netbook. It is so portable that I just want everything on the netbook. I could do that, but personal issues dictate that I do not. However, the reason I even mention this is because of what I learned when I tried....
- I tried to run high definition video on it (from MP4s stored on the hard drive), but it did not go well. (But, I subsequently later discovered that the laptop has 4 different power profiles and I had initially thought it only had 2 (eco and Balanced). Since discovering that it has a High Performance profile I have not tried again to play video (but even if it does not play it well that's ok, did not need it to do this).
- What led to me to realizing that it had a High Performance power mode was that I was playing music in iTunes and it was BAD (static and stutter). When I checked Task Manager I saw that the audio playing was pegging out the system. I found that hard to believe so I went looking for answers and discovered the High Performance mode. When I shifted to this mode, then I was operating at around 40 percent of system CPU resources.
- Just a comment on these last two points: I did not buy this netbook to be a multimedia powerhouse, but it was only natural to me that I discover what I could and could not do on it. I did not expect to play video. I did expect, but do not require, that it play MP3s. I share my experiences above for whatever value they may have for you.
- I have never used another netbook, but its keyboard seems like the best possible design you could expect in a device this small. Keys are tactile, feel solid, and it takes up the entire width of the device.
- The white cover is durable, does not show fingerprints (I was worried it might be like my Dell - but it is an ideal finish if you are looking for White, I assume the other colors are the same).


Cons:
- These netbooks feel like such a step back. I want the portability, but man I feel like I am in the dark ages as far as power goes. But, to be fair, this is supposed to be an email/word processor/web browser type of system. The limitations I have witnessed are when I ask it to do multimedia, so objectively I know that should not be a knock - but when my iPhone can play MP3s with no issues I subjectively get a little down when I think that I have to go to High Performance mode to get the NB305 to do the same.
- I do not like the placement of the touchpad mouse buttons. They actually are on the front edge of the laptop, and that just bugs me (maybe only because my Dell XPS is not this way - but I think it is more fundamental than that - I just don't like that kind of design - I would have preferred even just a quarter-inch lip).
- My FN key is either not working, turned off, or somehow just disconnected from the Toshiba Flash Cards. It was working and then I think I did something in the manner of some keystroke combination that has disabled it or at least disassociated it with the Flash Cards (Flash Cards = a nifty visual aid that Toshiba provides that shows Function Key options on screen). Evidently, I am not the only one, as I see notices on the Toshiba community mentioning the same problem, but so far I have found no fix. This is minor however, I'll live.
- The screen is too small. I understand the width, but the height needs to be at least 768 (it's not, it is 1024x600). The reason for my complaint is that so much software out there today expects a minimum of 768 vertical pixels. I have already encountered one software package that has told me outright I will have a problem, and I have experienced incoveniences in many others (excessive scrolling - just to go down a hundred pixels so I can press an action button - I am running TurboTax right now and it is so irritating to have to scroll just to get to the action button that is just a hundred pixels below the bottom edge of the screen - makes you want to pull your hair out).
- Any other reservations I feel are not worth sharing as they all relate to how I feel about using such a small device as compared to using a full-sized laptop. And that's just not fair to Toshiba, so I'll leave that off here. One thing I do wish I could find is a good portable keyboard. I looked but so far have not been impressed enough to buy.

Anyway, I have no buyer's remorse. I feel I acquired what I set out to purchase. Only question for me, over time, will be whether my money might have been better spent on a MacBook Air (larger keyboard, larger screen). But it's 3-4 times as much, just not sure I can rationalize that amount.

Review from Review from Amazon

Reviewer: Russ Boyer| Date:2010-01-17

I have been in the market for a netbook for over a year now. I have spent many a hour pouring over reviews online, watching youtube unboxings and reviews, and actually doing a lot of hands on in retail stores with all of the options out there. I am thrilled to say that after only 24 hours with the Toshiba NB305-N410WH, I know that I waited for just the right one.

The reviews for its' predecessor (the NB205) had put that netbook on the top of most professional reviewers list. And, indeed in my own hands on tests, it was right at the top as well. My main concern was the battery that stuck out of the back on that model. I had come close to overlooking this drawback, as I was so pleased with the rest of the model. What kept me from it was a concern I had read from some reviews indicating that sometimes streaming video would skip or get stuck (a universal concern on most netbooks)either due to processor or graphics.

Here is why I LOVE this little fella:

* The battery issue has been totally adressed, and in fact, upgraded. They have redesigned it and no more ugly bulge of battery sticking out of the back. Plus, they now say it has an 11 hour battery. My test of this gave me around 9.5 hours doing very basic surfing and setup. Not quite 11 hours, but am still elated with 9.5 hours. I can now really feel comfortable about leaving the power cable at home for the day. (however, the power cable is actaully fairly small) (Update 1/21/10--In further testing of the battery life, I seem to now be averaging more like 7 hours under heavy usage, meaning video watching and constant use. I am still more than happy with that. Light usage will give you more like the 9.5 hours I mentioned.)

* I'm extremely happy with the performance. Everyone needs to keep in mind that netbooks have never been designed for processor intensive tasks, but this little guy rocks! The new "Pinetrail" Atom N450 platform seems to be a great fit for this netbook. The graphics engine is updated, as well. I have had absolutely no delays in any streaming video on YouTube or Netflix. (I did notice just a bit of stuttering in Hulu only when watching something full screen but this isn't an issue for me.) Surfing is snappy and responsive, just the way that I like it. For anyone that may have been on the fence about getting a netbook because they were concerned it might not perform, hop right off that fence and get the NB305. Seriously, I have a Macbook Pro and Dell laptop and this one has instantly become my "go to" for surfing on the couch or from bed. And, I know this will be the one I now take anywhere out of the house.

* The overall look and feel of the NB305 is truly "best in class". My big gripe with a ton of netbooks out there is their glossy covers-especially the black, but even other color glossy covers are fingerprint magnets. They just always look smudged and feel cheap to me. I got the textured white model and just love it. Even though I am sure it is all plastic, too, it just looks more expensive. The cover totally repels fingerprints and just "feels good". The keyboard and trackpad have received universal love in the previous model and I absolutely agree. The keyboard is extremely easy to type on. No issues at all for me there. The trackpad is truly a selling feature as it is multi-touch. I have this on my Macbook Pro and LOVE it on this netbook. I love being able to do the 2 finger scroll up and side to side. It really makes surfing the web a joy. (I now curse my Dell for not having this.) This model actually reduced it's weight to 2.6 lbs making it super easy to take with you. The bottom does heat up a bit but I never felt uncomfortable having it directly on my lap. This new model has sleeker look than previous models, a little more streamlined in the front. Overall, form factor gets a big A+.


So, there are a couple areas for improvement, however, I don't think they are "deal breakers" given the other areas where the NB-305 excels:

1) The speakers are not great. Actually, they're pretty bad compared to my Mac and Dell. This is definitely an area to improve on, but have found this to be true of all the netbooks I have been able to hear. I'm not saying that you can't hear what you are watching, but I will plan on using earbuds for watching video or listening to music.
2) I'm a little bugged that these just come with Windows7 Starter and not Windows7 Home Premium. I feel a little "punked" into having to pay an extra $80 for the upgrade (which was extremely simple and fast, by the way. I was able to do it right online--no need for external optical drive). Some people will be fine with Windows7 Starter as it does allow you to do basic functions, but I ultimatley had to cave in and upgrade. You aren't able to personalize things in Windows7 Starter, which was a minor but grating flaw. (On a side note, I am really liking Windows7 Home Premium. This netbook handles it fine.)
3) I'm kinda concerned that this did not come with any restore cd's. Yes, I realize that this doesn't have a cd/dvd drive, but I guess I just like the comfort of having them if needed. I know that I should back up the system on my own, but I guess I just am not sure what happens if the OS crashes or hard drive has to be replaced. I think there must be new ways to restore, nowadays. I guess I will hopefully never cross that bridge.

Overall, I think you can see that I am obviously extremely happy with this purchase. If you have been waiting to buy a netbook, I would give this one some serious thought. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

(UPDATE 1/19/10: I did upgrade to 2GB of memory and would recommend it. I didn't really need to, but can't resist trying to upgrade my gadgets, and everything is just a little faster and I just watched Heros on Hulu full screen and didn't notice issues that I had before. I didn't even mind the speakers come to think of it--although the speakers are still the only weak link hardware wise. Installing the memory is a snap. You just need a tiny Philips screwdriver to remove one screw from back cover, pop out the old, pop in the new, replace the cover and boot it back up. It was recognized by the netbook with no problems. There is a video on YouTube on doing this to the NB205 model and the process is exactly the same for the NB305. Still very happy.)

Review from Review from Amazon