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- Budget netbook Toshiba mini NB505 *Est. $270
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- Comfortable keyboard, touchpad
- Good battery life
- Crisp, bright display
- Improved speakers
- Display resolution could be higher
- Bloatware slows startups
The Toshiba Mini NB305-N410 netbook receives excellent ratings from a variety of professional and user reviewers, including two Editors' Choice awards. Experts say the Toshiba NB350, like its well-regarded predecessor, the Toshiba Mini NB205-N310, offers a roomy, comfortable keyboard, bright 10.1-inch display and responsive oversized touchpad. It also has been tweaked to address common complaints about the NB205. For one, the battery has been redesigned so it no longer sticks awkwardly out of the back, giving the netbook a sleeker look. The speakers have also been improved to offer louder volume. Reviewers say the glossy display is crisp and bright, but the 1,024-by-600-pixel resolution lags behind some other netbooks that offer higher resolutions. The biggest complaint from users is the large amount of preinstalled trial software, or bloatware. The Toshiba Mini NB305-N410 is still widely available, but the newest model is the Toshiba Mini NB305-N440 (*Est. $380). This version uses a newer processor, an Intel Atom N455, in addition to 1 GB of RAM, a 250 GB hard drive and Windows 7 Starter.
Laptop Magazine and PCMag.com provide the best expert reviews of the Toshiba NB305-N410 netbook. Both sources conduct extensive testing, and their conclusions are clearly explained thanks to a standardized rating system. CNET also offers a helpful review. The reviews at Engadget.com, About.com and SlashGear.com are worth a read, but they don't rate the netbook. We also found a few user reviews for this popular netbook at Amazon.com.
| Toshiba Mini NB305-N410BL 10.1-Inch Royal Blue Netbook - 11 Hours of Battery Life | |
(260 reviews) |
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Our Sources
1. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
The Toshiba Mini NB305-N410 earns an Editors' Choice award from Laptop Magazine, and Michael Prospero calls it their "top pick among consumer netbooks." He raves about the keyboard and oversized trackpad, but notes that the Asus Eee PC 1005PE has considerably longer battery life.
Review: Toshiba Mini NB305-N410, Michael A. Prospero, Jan. 11, 2010
PCMag.com also gives the Toshiba Mini NB305-N410 an Editors' Choice designation. Cisco Cheng says it "gives you the most for the least amount of money." However, like other reviewers, he would like to see the display resolution increased.
Review: Toshiba Mini NB305-N410, Cisco Cheng, Jan. 25, 2010
3. CNET
CNET gives the Toshiba Mini NB305-N410 an excellent rating, saying the netbook is even better than the popular NB205. While he would prefer a higher resolution display, Scott Stein is impressed by the battery life and battery redesign.
Review: Toshiba Mini NB305-N410BN, Scott Stein, Feb. 4, 2010
4. Engadget.com
Joanna Stern gives the Toshiba Mini NB305-N410 a very positive review, saying it's more stylish and easier to use than other new netbooks such as the Asus Eee PC 1005PE or the Acer Aspire One 532h.
Review: Toshiba Mini NB305 Review, Joanna Stern, Jan. 15, 2010
Like other reviewers, Ewdison Then at SlashGear.com also has good things to say about the Toshiba Mini NB305-N410's keyboard. However, he would like a higher screen resolution and he notes that the battery life doesn't approach Toshiba's 11-hour claim.
Review: Toshiba Mini NB305 Netbook Review, Ewdison Then, Feb. 26, 2010
6. Amazon.com
Users at Amazon.com give the Toshiba Mini NB305-N410 4 stars (out of 5) in more than 200 individual reviews. Most reviews are incredibly detailed and written by consumers with considerable tech know-how.
Review: Toshiba Mini NB305-N410BN 10.1-Inch Java Brown Netbook
7. About.com
Mark Kyrnin, About.com's computer guide, names the Toshiba Mini NB305-N410 one of the best netbooks on the market thanks to its excellent keyboard. Kyrnin praises the roomy keyboard layout and responsive trackpad. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Best Netbooks, Mark Kyrnin, March 1, 2010
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