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A Student Considers the Toshiba NB205 Netbook |
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The sun warmed my shoulders as its rays gently burned through the swaying tresses of the willow tree I was sitting under. The day was beckoning and I couldn't resist laying out my favourite blanket and setting up my 6 year old laptop in the shade by the lake. I waited patiently-though usually quite restlessly-as my lappy booted up, and used the 3 minutes or so to let my mind drift as my gaze followed a family of ducks into the shallow end of the pond. |
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About an hour and a half later I found myself artfully progressing having reached the third paragraph of my analysis of the Merchant of Venice: …"Shylock becomes convinced of the lies that are told about him and so behaves in ways that only confirm those lies, unconsciously fulfilling those prophecies…" That's when it happened. My laptop's battery died. After learning the hard way years earlier that hours of labour could be lost should I neglect saving my work in increments, luckily, I did manage to save my thoughts once the little light on my Dell Inspiron alerted me to the bating battery. I lingered under the tree, charmed by the soft wind and still contemplating my last thoughts so cruelly cut off from reaching their conclusion in the torrent of such intellectual fervour. 6 years of daily-and fairly rigorous use-and it had been clear for a while that my Dell, which had served me so well, was in its last days. I decided to head home where I could plug in my notebook and research a new one. Several websites into my search and I stumbled upon a 10-inch screen Toshiba NB205. My intrigue increased as I scanned through its basic stats: 1 GB of RAM; Preinstalled with Windows XP; Standard Intel Atom Processor, and-the most striking feature-8.5 Hours of battery life. I lost my breath for a moment as I contemplated the price staring back at me: $399. Once I'd composed myself I continued reading. I eagerly scrolled down to the sections highlighting performance and storage since, as a student, these are my main interests. Extended operating can wear down a machine's stamina and I wanted to house the thousands of high-resolution photos, iTunes, and video files and programs I accumulate. HOW IT ALL WORKS: PERFORMANCE I was brightened to find that the NB205 contains Intel's latest 1.66-GHz N280 processor. Apparently, after running PCMark05 (a program measuring the total system performance in Windows XP), Laptop Magazine's testers reported a score of 1,496: 11 points above the estimated average of 1,385. It came 92 points lower than the Eee PC 1000HE they compared it with, but the point is that the NB205 can still stream full-screen video and handle several applications simultaneously (ie., Firefox, Cyber-shot Viewer, Excel: whichever ones you use). They used 3Dmark06 to determine graphics performance and Toshiba's Intel GMA 950 graphics chip yielded a score of 92. Even though the average score is 97, this suited me well since I am not one to indulge in the freshest 3D games but, as has impressed the testers, a "720 video clip plays smoothly" for those who do. Researchers also used "Handbrake" to transcode a 5-minute-and-5-second MPEG-4 video clip (114MB) to the AVI format in the average time of 27 minutes and 23 seconds. I reflected for a moment on a point of concern: whether or not the system would overheat. The examiners at LaptopMag claim that the netbook's underside heated to 94 degrees Fahrenheit; that is, 34 degrees Celsius: the temperature of an idyllic summer's day. This is quite hot, but according to them the keyboard and touchpad remained comfortable, indicating that, after several hours' use, the product could withstand heating. STORAGE AND BOOT TIME The last 2 years, as all 6 years with my current Inspiron combined, have been good. What has not been good has been creatively using my time after pressing the power button as I waited for the system to fully load. With my many programs, security alerts, updates and virus scans, I would often need to return 5 minutes later, so "booting time" for my new machine would need to be significantly less. When the testers powered the NB205's 160GB, 5,400-rmp drive, it loaded Windows XP in 1 minute and 25 seconds (because of loaded software). I frowned at this given that it loads slower than the average laptop: roughly 55 seconds. But all else working in favour of the product, I felt it was worth reading on. Testers copied 4.97 GB of mixed-media files in 4 minutes and 41 seconds (or a rate of 18.1 MBps) in a LAPTOP Transfer Test. This is not as rapid as the rival "Eee PC 1008HA's" score of 23.1 MBps, but is 3.5 times the speed of the average notebook. Other salient features to me were the drive's protection from accidental drops by a 3D accelerometer and the added bonus that this protection can be switched off when unnecessary and also that sensitivity levels can be adjusted – all using Toshiba's software. YES, BUT HOW LONG DOES IT LAST? ENDURANCE AND WI-FI PERFORMANCE I paused to process this information. Remembering my experience earlier by the lake, when my Dell's battery failed me at such a critical moment, I anticipated the upcoming infinity I would spend in the gardens and quietest crevices on campus, where I would find the solace I sought as I brought assignments to life, but wouldn't necessarily have access to power sockets. I was elated by Toshiba's record of 8 hours and 33 minutes through constant web surfing over Wi-Fi on a LAPTOP battery test. The battery itself is a six-cell 5800 mAh lithium ion one. Given that the average battery's running time is 5:40, the fact that it endures longer than its fiercest competition (namely, Samsung) thrilled me. The system's Wi-Fi performance will also be crucial since I would need round-the-clock wireless access regardless of location. The NB205's 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi card pleased the testers, offering 21.3 MBps and 19.8 MBps from 15 and 50 feet. These marks are lower than the ASUS Eee PC 1008 HA (which, also is not equipped with wireless N), but superior to averages of 18.8 and 15.7 MBps. Upon learning that the NB205 kept "strong connection" during various daily online business (like streaming music over Slacker uninterrupted and managing to get through videos on Hulu.com smoothly), I began to sense I had happened across a commodity. ALL THE "FIXENS": PORTS, SCREEN, WEBCAM AND AUDIO I scrolled back up to the photos detailing the NB205's ports. I noticed 2 USB ports and a Kensington lock on the right; a VGA-out; audio in/out; Ethernet; a 3-in-1-memory card and a third USB fixed on the left side. Interestingly, the third USB is enabled with T's sleep-and-charge technology, providing power to connected devices (ie., smart phones) when the system isn't in use. I stared at the model, wondering if I could move with ease from a 15-inch screen to a 10-inch one. But considering the technical lineaments the compact model packs, including the 1024 x 600 – pixel resolution LED – backlit display (described by testers as just glossy enough and projecting "bright colours"), I suspected the transition would be seamless. A special "zooming utility" to counteract the smallness of the screen is included to magnify text and icons-within limited programs, that is-but definitely including Internet Explorer and Adobe Reader simply by pressing number shortcuts. I felt myself rather partial to the 0.3-megapixel webcam above the screen since my current computer lacks one, and to the model's claims to no blurring or problems with lighting. I fantasized about how the assistant software (popping up conveniently when the mouse is poised over the left side of the screen) would enable me to record personal videos and snap still photos, all in real time, while Skyping family and friends across the ocean. THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL? AESTHETICS, KEYBOARD AND TOUCHPAD COMBO As I clicked through photographs of the NB205, I considered how important the overall aesthetic of my new apparatus was to me. The model has a sable brown lid and raised horizontal lines, a shiny bronze hinge, a "glowing" power button in the center (as opposed to my current unlit silver one), and a silver finish along the bottom of the deck. "Posh Pink" and "Frost White" are other options, but I envisioned the sleek professional look of the Royal Blue for my own use. (Toshiba's offer of a $349 version of this model (NB205-N210) available only in "Black Onyx", and with a plastic-not metal like the NB205-non-island style keyboard, was another savoury possibility grabbing my attention, sporting a "smooth fusion" finish on the lid without any raised pattern.) But aside from overall performance, the paramount determining factor for me regarding computer purchase was weight. I needed a far departure from my 8-pound Dell and the NB205 seemed to fit the criteria. With a standard six-cell battery that protrudes from the back and the AC adapter the notebook weighs in at 3.4 pounds, and 2.8 pounds without the battery. And … What Else Am I going to Have to Buy? Upgrade Options, Software and Warranty: It took me a few moments to realize that my mind had wandered from my research over to the delightful calm of sitting under a shady tree with my new laptop, the pensive quality of being able to carry out unpleasant tasks like homework or even more enjoyable ones like uploading photos or IMing long-lost friends sequestered in nature's midst. For the person who loves relaxation, life is so much easier when one can make a big purchase like a new computer without undergoing the bother of having to upgrade or invest in other add-ons. My curiosity led me to discover that the NB205 had no "configuration options" but that I could upgrade the netbook's RAM to 2GB on my own-something I wouldn't even need to do since I have an external hard drive. With Windows XP already preinstalled, the system also comes with plenty of other "largely proprietary" software including: HDD Protection and Zoom Utility software; Bluetooth Stack (for easy Bluetooth setup); Configfree (for connecting to a network), and a PC Health Monitor (for ensuring the healthy running of the computer). While I am among those individuals preferring XP's settings, the testers of the NB205 could get online with ease because of ConfigFree's "compelling interface that displays the networks in range", keeping the little lappy high on my list of options. SOME BENEFITS AND ILL EFFECTS: The Laptop Magazine researchers' final analysis of the NB205 was that it embodied "everything recommended in a notebook", and while I was nearly sold, I needed to re-evaluate the information. I was attracted to the compact make of Toshiba's model at 10.4 x 7.6 x 1.3 inches, but slightly woeful that it is bulkier for its size than the ASUS Eee PC 1008 HA (10.3 x 7 x 1.0), for example. The thought of a slimmer computer made me feel lighter but I needed to be practical. That, when challenged on the Ten Thumbs Typing Test, the keyboard punched in 80 wpm with a mere 1% error rate (in contrast to the 2% error rate on the Samsung N120), was certainly appealing. But the gray icons for shortcuts on the function keys illuminated against the silver background could potentially strain my eyes while I worked late hours by my dimly lit desk. However, the touchpad (at 3.1 x 1.6-inches) is the largest in the 10-inch class, and I was cheered that the examiners found the 2 "dedicated" right and left mouse buttons to be comfortable rather than stiff-a draw since I'm often irritated by attempting to manoeuvre a mouse that doesn't glide where I direct it. I wasn't exactly buoyed that the testers found the dual stereo speakers underneath the front edge of the system lacking in power, but at least headsets were a favourable solution to them. TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY? I leaned back in my chair beholding my Dell Inspiron that had served me so well the past 6 years. As I deliberated over my attraction to Toshiba's NB205, I decided that its 8 +hours battery stamina; easy and practical usage; generous RAM (at 1GB); built-in 0.3-megapixel webcam, and overall performance strength was the most alluring prospect I'd encountered. My Inspiron and I have had some good times, but $399 would buy me the thoughtful lounging under many more trees in parks with a compact little lappy packing "everything recommended in a notebook." Update february 2010! - This model has now been upgraded to the NB305 Read more about the Mini NB205 By Cheaperlaptop.com Friday, August 07, 2009 Related article - Aspire One Netbook - Site map - Privacy policy |