Toshiba Mini NB255-N245

NB255-N245

Among the top-selling ‘netbooks’ on Amazon.com in Autumn 2010, Toshiba’s updated Mini is a bargain choice for anyone who wants instant computing while on the go. Whether you need to check Google Maps for directions, send a quick email or compare prices while shopping, or take notes during a lecture, the Toshiba Mini NB255-N245 is a purse-sized alternative to the smartphone scene. This Mini can help you accomplish your daily computing tasks as well - you can write a book or compose a presentation while sipping coffee in an Internet café. The price is currently $310 at amazon

Comfort for the typist

Hunting and pecking on the shrunken keyboards of most Minis is a nightmare for the touch typist in a hurry. Thanks to a new design which stretches the keyboard almost to the edge of the shell, fingers accustomed to larger computers will barely notice a difference.  The keys are flat and full-sized, terraced, and spring back easily.  Some may quibble that to give sufficient room for the alpha letters, function and directional keys have been reduced in size -- which may take a bit of practice to get used to. A textured palm rest supports your hands while the large 3 x 1.5 inch central touchpad with right and left mouse buttons makes navigation a snap.

Connectability

What most “mini” purchasers may want to know is how fast they can make connections. In tests by LaptopMag.com, this netbook beat the competition. The built-in WiFi wireless radio is an Atheros AR9285 802.11 b/g/n which will let you keep surfing the ‘net even at a distance from a router.  You can plug into your home or office network with the 10/100 Ethernet LAN, transfer photos from your camera using the installed Memory Card reader, add speakers,  a microphone or stereo headphones using the installed jacks and connect many kinds of digital devices through the 3 USB 2.0 ports. Still you should remember this is a budget laptop. Toshiba has cut back on some connectivity and expansion possibilities: there is no Bluetooth antenna or modem port, no PC Express Slot, no SmartCard reader slot. For more storage capacity, Toshiba has a USB Portable DVD SuperMulti Drive which is sold separately.

Budget-conscious price

The Mini NB255-N245 is a clear answer for the consumer who wants a ‘traveling companion’ for under $300 USD. This year, Toshiba also put out a pricier premium netbook line with the Mini NB305 which has longer battery life and a ‘streamlined’ look. Coming only in basic black, the boxier Mini NB255 stands out from the crowd with a handsome swirling textured pattern on the lid and deck which resists fingerprints more effectively than its glossier elders. Depending on configuration and usage, the battery may last up to 8.35 hours, though testers report only 6-7 hours life.

Bright graphics

Weighing in at under 3 pounds (2.8 lbs.) and smaller than a piece of notebook paper at 10.4 x 8.3 x 1.3 inches (WxDxH), there is nothing ‘mini’ about the graphics shown on the 10.1-inch screen.  A true alternative to a mini-DVD player for viewing TV or movies, the surface of the screen is bright and glossy (some say too reflective) with a 1024x600 pixel LED backlit-display. An Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150 speeds graphic processing.

Intel’s ‘Atom’ speeds the process

In 2008, Intel introduced the ‘Atom’ processor which made the mini-laptop computer possible. The Atom gives fast, reliable performance while reducing the power-draw and heat output. The energy-efficient Intel Atom Processor N455 puts this mini out near the front of the netbook market. While 1GB DDR2 RAM is less than you will find in comparable others, the 1.67 GHz CPU gives respectable performance allowing you to run most office and Internet applications quickly and easily. The 5,400-RPM, 160GB hard drive,  while smaller than the more usual 250GB included on most laptops, still manages impressive speed and reliability. Windows 7 and the much praised Toshiba PC Health Monitor both help to keep the processor up to speed.

What to watch out for

While sales of this model are high, checking consumer reviews on various websites, some complain that the battery life is shorter and recharge time longer than expected. Others report that the built-in webcam gives less than satisfactory pictures, especially when Skype-ing, and the single monoaural speaker does not put out a lot of volume. Some ‘hitching’ (screen stop / starts) was encountered by users when streaming video on Windows Media Player and when playing games with intense graphics.

Conclusion

Brisk sales of this model of the Mini prove that Toshiba made a clever choice by introducing this budget version of their Mini netbooks in the same year as their premium line. The giant Japanese manufacturer celebrates 25 years of leadership in the  PC  laptop market in 2010. With the Mini NB255-N245, once again Toshiba proves they can manufacture best-in-class.