INBOX:Toshiba's new netbook features good resolution and an optional nine- hour battery pack, writes MIKE BUTCHER
IF YOU’RE into the idea of using a more affordable netbook, but don’t fancy being seen with something that looks like it you bought it at a kid’s store, there’s a new game in town. Toshiba has given its NB100 netbook a face-lift and a re-tune.
Bringing some softer lines and a 10.1in display to the business-oriented mini-laptop, its makers have also increased battery life up to nine hours, Toshiba claims.
The new release also gets a new moniker: NB200. This is, alas, as memorable as NB100, but I digress. Like its predecessor, the NB200’s screen has a 1024 x 600 resolution – one of the best netbook displays you can get – on-board 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Ethernet, a 160GB HDD, and it comes with Windows XP pre-loaded.
Toshiba offers a Linux version which is slightly cheaper. However, memory and storage capacities fall to 512MB and 80GB, respectively.
Its 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor is typical of netbooks of this type – Atoms are cheaper processors – but Toshiba also has a version of the laptop with a faster 1.66GHz chip, the N280. Both models come with Bluetooth and three USB ports.
Built-in HSDPA 3G is an optional extra.
The NB200 is quite similar to the Asus Eee PC in that the keyboard is small like the Eee’s. So if you are looking for a netbook with a near full-size keyboard, you’d be better off checking out the Acer Aspire One. Although the Sony Vaio P has a fulsome keyboard and diminutive size, its eye-watering €700 price means it is barely a netbook.
Toshiba pre-loads the NB100 with Toshiba Easy Media, which includes a DVD player and creator just in case you want to get the separate USB-connected optical drive.
It also provides its own network connection utility, a webcam app, Camera Assistant and Microsoft Works 9 – the version without advertising – and a 60-day Office trial. There’s anti-virus sampleware too.
In comparison with the Eee PC 901, the NB200 offers more storage, but the Eee has 802.11n Wi-Fi.
The NB200’s nine-hour battery pack is also, unfortunately, optional. Your standard NB200 has a four-hour battery life, in contrast.
The standard silver and grey model ships next month, with prices starting off at about €355. A promised pink version won’t arrive until late summer.
Overall it’s a good offering from Toshiba, and the update is welcome, but it’s still not quite a home run in the netbook stakes.
