Toshiba NB505 Perfect Travel Companion

Toshiba NB505-N508TQ 10.1-Inch Netbook (Turquoise)
Got this mini-notebook just before going on a trip to Alaska and upgraded the RAM to 2GB right away. It is really a neat little machine, and will replace my full-sized Toshiba laptop I have had for some time, due to its small size and elegent efficiency.

Windows 7 Starter takes a little getting use to, but then I am an old died-in-the-wool XP fan. Once that little learning curve is achieved, you get a better feel for what this little gem is capable of, and your repect for it allows you to cut it a bit of slack and get the most out of what it can do so well.


In fact, you really come to appreciate programs with a smaller footprint and you start dumping the bloated old geizers you are use to. For example, don't bother with the trial version of Norton Internet Security and definately don't try to install Norton Antivirus 2011. Instead, download for free the AV gem Microsoft Essentials 2.0. It works flawlessly and doesn't tax your little Toshiba in the least.

You may first be dismayed that there is no Outlook Express, but do not fret. Windows 7 Live Mail is terrific and can meet all your email needs.

I am a photographer and during the AK trip took tons of pictures, downloading them all onto the little Toshiba which didn't blink once. There is a wonderful free little program available on the Internet called "Batch Image Resizer" and any full sized pictures I wanted to email, I just ran though that and all was fine. The full sized originals remained on the notebook with back up to a flash drive.

The unit has three USB ports as well as an SD card reader for all your photographic and peripheral needs. The keyboard is just what I have been looking for. It is almost the same size as my original toshiba square screen laptop, and dumps that anoying and useless number key pad on the right, which seems to be present on all other laptops and for most of us serves no useful purpose. You get just the part of the keyboard you need with essentially full-sized keys.

The screen is bright and clear and easy to read. All in all, this is a terrific little device and a great travel companion. The full sized laptop has gone into retirement.

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