Review: Toshiba Netbook NB100

Ooooo sexy.

But in real life it looks like this:

I bought the HP Mini 1000, but BF wanted a new computer but not something up to $1000 since he wasn’t planning on using the computer much except to open sensitive documents to review, save and quickly work on (he’s a paranoid data geek like that).

So, we went to Future Shop and he paid $564 (tax included) for a Toshiba N100 Netbook, which is exactly what I would have paid for my HP Mini without my handy dandy $100 gift card (I ended up paying $460 something).

I don’t own the Toshiba (BF does), but I got my greedy paws on it and here’s my brief review keeping in mind that I own a HP Mini 1000 (FB Read: Review of my HP Mini 1000).

So I’m going to compare between the HP Mini 1000 and the Toshiba NB100.

Interested in other Netbooks (all 8.9″)?

Mary from SimplyForties is simultaneously reviewing the Acer Aspire One and her sister also bought the Asus EEE PC Netbook.

Specifications

It basically has the exact same specs (weight included) as my HP Mini 1000, but it has a larger hard drive at 160GB and an extra USB Port which is a dream for me.

• 1.6GHz processor
• 1GB RAM
• WiFi
• LAN
• Bluetooth
• Webcam
• SD Card Reader
• 160GB (HP Mini = 60GB)
• 3 USB Ports (HP Mini = 2 USBs)

See more details here about specifications in general & the HP Mini.

This is the right side with 2 USB Ports, SD Card Slot and an air vent (I know it’s hard to see).

This is the left side with the third USB port, some random port for something. The headphone jack is in the front under the trackpad.

Price

It was the exact same price as my HP Mini 1000 ($499.99), but they didn’t have any HP Mini 1000s in stock in all of the city, and even though he wanted a HP Mini, he settled for the smaller Toshiba N100.

Overall Feeling

SIZE
I find it too small. Really too small for me, but it may be because I’m spoiled with my own Netbook.

It is slightly thicker than mine, and longer in the vertical (screen length) as shown:

SCREEN
The screen is taller, but it doesn’t give much more typing than the HP Mini 1000. BF thought that since the screen was taller, he’d see more of the space in a Microsoft Word document, but we couldn’t see a real difference to be honest.

The screen is also dim.

Like a normal laptop. But the HP Mini is a lot brighter by about 20%. BF was happy with that because he doesn’t like very bright laptop screens (unlike moi), and he doesn’t watch videos on it anyway.

DESIGN
The battery sticks out at the back because they couldn’t fit all of the circuitry and hardware in that space while keeping it light and flush at the back.

Not a huge deal but it matters to some. In contrast, the HP Mini does not stick out – is flush.

I also happen to like the design of the HP Mini 1000 better (cuter cover design, looks sleeker, more like a clutch and less like a Netbook).

KEYBOARD
While I enjoy the track pad not being too glossy (also not a flaw in the HP Mini by the way), I do hate that the Mini has left and right keys on the left and right side of the trackpad.

Minor irritation but I am really used to the keys being on the bottom of the track pad, so it takes some getting used to if you are a one button person.

Anyway, overall, the keyboard is the worst thing about the laptop because of these two major flaws:

1. They put GREY type on a BLACK background

You cannot see the keys in low light.

And no, they don’t light up or glow in the dark, and are IRRITATINGLY DIM. BF says that he can see how the concept is a good idea because they put the special characters like F4 and all that in a light blue, so they really stand out more.

But on a Netbook, the keys are really tiny, so it’s hard to find even the most basic of letters.

2. The keys are baby-sized

So tiny that I am literally typing with one finger.

With my HP Mini 1000, it was 92% so it felt cramped and took a while to get used to it, but I could go at about 60 WPM (words per minute) versus my normal 120 WPM (words per minute)

Here’s the comparison of the keyboards between the Mini and the Toshiba.

I much prefer my keyboard, it feels like better quality, the keys are not as small (92%) and they are in white on black.

VERDICT?

Considering it’s the same price, I much prefer my HP Mini 1000.

Even though the Toshiba has 160GB of hard drive space (100 GB more) and an extra USB port, I think for the quality and all the minor little design flaws I’ve pointed out, the HP Mini is a lot sleeker for the cash.

BF however, is happy with the purchase, but he has conceded that mine is a lot cuter, better designed and that his was the first generation of Netbooks and mine was the second generation after some major improvements.

I don’t think that Toshiba was worth the $499 that BF paid for it, maybe $359 is what it was worth (especially now), but BF needed a laptop with more hard drive space than looks or sleekness. And he isn’t planning on using it very often.

Interested in other Netbooks (all 8.9″)?

Mary from SimplyForties is simultaneously reviewing the Acer Aspire One and her sister also bought the Asus EEE PC Netbook.

Related Posts:

• Review: Logitech Alto Laptop Stand & Logitech Illuminated Wired USB Keyboard
• Review: HP Mini 1000 Netbook
• Review: MyBag from Grey Gourmet Inc.
• Review: HP Premium Fax All-In One C309A Printer
• Review: Fuji Finepix Z1 Digital Camera

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