Toshiba netbook - Horizons Unlimited

**Matt Cartney** · #1 27 Apr 2009

Thinking about getting one of these Toshiba Netbook NB100's for word processing and Photoshopping pix on the road:

Toshiba - Toshiba

Probably just get the basic unit. Seems great value at circa £200 inc. VAT. Probably faster than my 2005 Dell which was over twice the price!

I seem to remember Toshiba have a very good reputation for robustness.

Any thoughts?

Matt

**JMo (& piglet)** · #2 28 Apr 2009

Looks nice (similar spec to my Dell Mini 9 - processor, screen, weight, size) - only I wonder about the hard drive? Do you need 120GB etc. for net nerding and email? (although you could take a lot of iTunes with you of course x) - it seems the general consensus is that a Flash memory (ie. solid state) is better/more robust for life on the road - especially on a bike?

I would also go for the/a Windows XP version, although I'm sure someone with more software experience will come on and say there are loads of freeware downloads for word-processing etc on a Linux based OS...

With Windows XP you can at least run Mapsource if you use a Garmin GPS?

To compare, my Dell Mini has a 1GB Ram and 8GB flash drive, but with an expansion slot/card reader so you can put in additional memory on an SD card. I currently run a second 8GB SD card in that slot, effectively doubling the memory - all my applications are on the main drive, and the date on the card.

I actually like that format, as it means your back ups (photos etc) are on a card/s - so if the machine did go kaput, you'd still be able to access your data easily?

xxx

**Matt Cartney** · #3 29 Apr 2009

Hi,

Thanks for that info. Hadn't thought about solid state being more robust than a standard hard drive. Definately worth thinking about. Will check out the Dell option as am very pleased with my current old Dell.

Matt

**JMo (& piglet)** · #4 29 Apr 2009

No problem Matt - the only real limitation with the Flash drive machines is the storage capacity/memory size - typically around 8-16Mb in the 'affordable' models at them moment (the Macbook Air has 64Mb, but that is £££s!, and much bigger physically)... but like I say, SD cards (or USB dongles) are a cheap way to expand the memory, and at the same time limit potential 'losses'...

This is what the Dell Mini looks like (suitable props for camparison, that's an espresso, not a grande mocha btw. x):

And is small enough to fit in my Camelbak blowfish when riding...

xxx

**Matt Cartney** · #5 29 Apr 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMo (& piglet)

Macbook Air has 64Mb, but that is £££s!, and much bigger physically

Had a Macbook once. Never again!

Trendy rubbish.

PCs are far superior in every way IMHO.

Matt

**JMo (& piglet)** · #6 29 Apr 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Cartney

Had a Macbook once. Never again!

Trendy rubbish.

PCs are far superior in every way IMHO.

Matt

Oi! - for goodness-sake don't start that ol' chestnut up again! - it'll drag them all out of the woodwork and be worse than another 'which tyres should I buy?' thread...

xxx

ps. you want to take another look at Macbooks (although perhaps not for on-the-road use as they are a bit big) - that latest ones are far better made than any PC laptop I've seen... and yes, I do have one, as well as the Dell x

pps. word on the street is that Apple will have a netbook out by the end of this year... now THAT would be worth waiting for x

**estebangc** · #7 25 May 2009

If you get the one with SSD, you may always use an external 2.5" Hard Drive -which runs directly with the power coming through the USB- to store the pictures. It would do the job and it is much smaller and easier to pack safely, especially from vibrations (corrugated road?).

A much more expensive option to store tons of pictures is a Hyperdrive device. Expensive, but cool option: it doesn't need a computer to back up the cards -any kind of files, not only pictures-, runs with a really long-lasting battery, is veeeery quick, and allows you to see the pictures in the screen, delete them or even recuperate them from a damaged card, etc. Absolutely amazing, I've got the 160Gb and works great. Expensive but great (high quality ToshibaHD).

Esteban