Toshiba Satellite NB100 Netbook - Exclusive Hands-on

Toshiba NB100 Review Netbook

Question?
Netbooks are incapable of running full Operating Systems right? And require a cut down/lite OS like Ubuntu or XP.

Answer.
Not at all, I’m writing this review on a Toshiba NB100 running Vista Ultimate. Admittedly an upgraded one with 2GB RAM from the 512MB it came with, but all that’s really required is a memory upgrade as the HDD supplied is sufficient.

Here’s the Vista Performance Index (Windows Experience Index) of my Netbook.

Processor: Operations Per Second 3.0
Memory (RAM): Memory Operations per second 4.4
Graphics: Desktop Performance for Windows Aero 4.1
Gaming Graphics: 3D Business and gaming graphics performance 2.7
Primary Hard Disk: Disk data transfer rate 5.5

Actual Specs
CPU Atom 270 @ 1.6Ghz
RAM 2Gb 333Mhz PC2-6400 RAM (treats as PC2-5300 due to bus speed)
250Gb 2.5” 5400RPM SATA HDD (80GB supplied with mine)
8.9" 1024x600 screen
Internal Webcam
Atheros 5007EG 54G Wireless LAN
3xUSB 2.0 ports
1x15 PIN VGA Port
1xEthernet 10/100 RJ45 Port
1x4 in 1 Card Reader, reads my 16GB SDHC card fine.


Living with a Netbook, my thoughts.

As I said, it has no problem running Vista with full Aero support, plays DivX & Xvid video perfectly well. I use Firefox as my browser and use Cooliris plugin to view web graphic content which it aso handles very well.
I’ve installed a larger 250GB 2.5” SATA drive and keep a backup of all my photos etc.
The BIOS allows you to password protect the HDD as well as a power on password, booting from USB HDD’s, Pens & ROM drives is also supported at full USB 2.0 speeds.

You can attach to a monitor and span your desktop using both screens (internal + external) or use either one at a time. I use a 22” Samsung @ 1600x1400 on it fine.

Granted the keyboard is small and reminds me of the Panasonic M34 Toughbook but you adapt to it easily and a full size USB keyboard and mouse can be attached when your home and a larger monitor to turn it into a very capable home office machine. Buy an external USB DVD Burner and you’ve got the lot!

Also, the touchpad is great and is made by Synaptics so it can be configured with hotspots for navigating back and forth through your web pages and page scrolling by running your finger down the left or right side, great for one handed surfin.

For £199 I love this machine, it really has exceeded my expectations on what Netbooks are capable of and what future developments will bring. If I was to compare this with laptops I’ve used in the past I’d say it performs similar to 1.4Ghz Pentium M Centrino Laptops from a couple of years ago like the Thinkpad T40.

So as long as you don’t expect to play 3D intensive games, you’ll be fine with a Netbook.

Some benchmarks

DVDShrink. Movie: Gladiator DVD-9 in 41 Minutes 37 seconds

7-Zip Benchmark:
Dictionary size 32MB
CPU Threads 4/2
Total Rating: 183% 665 MIPS / 1217 MIPS


Tips on the BIOS
Do not update your firmware from 1.10 to 1.16 as the hotkeys stop working in Vista and you cannot roll-back, this means you cannot adjust the volume, screen brightness & fan control etc from the keyboard.
Hopefully this will be fixed in the future. Or it could be a ploy by Toshiba to stop users installing Vista?? As these Netbooks must surely impact on general laptop sales.