My Personal Review of TOSHIBA Netbook NB555D-02Y

I tried to talk to the site people a week ago about doing a official user review, but they have yet to answer me, so I will put it right here! Also I've only seen reviews of this in different languages, so here we go!

Being in the U.S, I was drooling over this netbook that wasn't released here. So I found (What it seemed like) the only Canadian shop that was able to ship the computer to the US. (I didn't even bother with the U.K ones because the prices were like $500+) Anywho, the Canadian and U.K versions are both the same except the Canadian ones don't come with Bluetooth (I will talk about this later) and the only color for the Canadian ones that I have seen is blue.

Price from Canada: $360 U.S dollars shipped from ATS Computer Systems - Canada's Online Shopping Store

Yeah their site looks hella sketchy, but they came through. Although their tracking system could use a little work.

Inside the box: A/C Adapter, computer, a battery and some documents in French...that's it!

Here is the information on the computer:




NB555D-02Y
The Toshiba mini NB555D offers astonishing performance wherever you are. Cutting-edge AMD processing provides HD graphics and multitasking capability, while Harman/Kardon® speakers and Dolby® Advanced Audio technology combine to deliver perfect sound never previously possible on a netbook. A 10.1” (25.7cm) Toshiba TruBrite display with LED backlighting renders crystal clear detail, and HDMI connectivity provides compatibility with HDTVs for big-screen playback. 250GB of storage offers plenty of space for movies and music, and Toshiba USB Sleep-and-Charge technology enables you to charge devices even when the PC is turned off. A textured design also comes in a variety colors – providing standout style to match the exceptional performance. The Toshiba mini NB555D has it all.

AMD C60 1.0 GHz,
Genuine Windows® 7 Starter,
1GB Memory, 320GB HDD,
Colour: Blue


Processor
AMD C Series processor C60 (1.0GHz, 1MB L2 Cache, Dual Core) with AMD AllDay™ Power

Operating System
Genuine Windows® 7 Starter

Key Features
Toshiba Eco Utility
Toshiba Bulletin Board
Toshiba ReelTime
Harman/Kardon Speakers
USB Sleep n Charge
Toshiba Sleep and Music
Toshiba Media Controller

Memory
Standard Memory: 1 x 1GB DDR3 (1066MHz)
Maximum Memory: 2GB DDR3
Expansion Modules: 1GB, 2GB

Hard Disk Drive
320GB (5400 RPM); Serial-ATA hard disk drive

Display System
Type: TFT Colour LED LCD
Size (diagonal): 10.1" Wide SVGA
Native LCD Panel Resolution: 1024x600x16 million colours
External Support and Max. Colour Support (dependant
On CRT): Up to 2,048 x 1,536 x 16 million colours

Graphics Controller
AMD Radeon™ HD 6290 Graphics-Integrated Graphics
with up to 374MB of dynamically allocated shared graphics memory with 1GB of memory

Sound System
Realtek ALC269Q-VB5-GR Software Sound
Intel High Definition Audio, harman/kardon speakers

Communication
10/100 integrated Ethernet LAN
Realtek Wireless LAN (802.11 bgn)
Integrated 0.3 Web Camera for Video over IP
Integrated microphone for Voice over IP

Expansion
1 memory slot - Slot 1 is filled with 1GB. Zero free slots. Slot can be filled with 1GB or 2GB
Ports: Bridge Media Adaptor (SD, Multimedia Card), 3 USB 2.0 with Sleep n Charge (left side only), RJ45, external microphone port, headphone port, HDMI

Physical Dimensions
Dimensions: (WxDxH) 261.9 x 189.5 x 16.6/35.5 mm
Weight: starting at 1.15kg (2.5lbs)
Color: Blue W/Dots Pattern

AC Adapter
30W external Universal AC adaptor input voltage (100 -
240V 50/60Hz Frequency (Universal), output voltage
(19V, 1.58A)
Dimensions: (96 mm x 42 mm x 28 mm)
Weight: 173g

Battery
Battery Type: Removable, Rechargeable 6-cell
Lithium Ion (Li-ion) 10.8V x 48Wh capacity
Battery Life: up to 7.5 hours, depending on usage and Power Management Settings
Dimensions: (WxDxH) 206.9 x 58.28 x 23.43 mm
Weight: 185g

Warranty
This Toshiba NB555D computer comes with a one (1) year parts and labour Warranty. Note the original battery is
warranted for one year from date of purchase. Pre-installed software is excluded from TCL standard limited warranty. For
complete details on this warranty program and other Warranty Programs such as On-site and Next Business Day Service visit toshiba.ca/warranty

and now onto the !!!!

Before I upgraded the computer, I checked out the performance with the default specs. It was less than stellar... booting took forever, loading anything took ages and it just seemed like a sub-par machine that was ages old. Even Microsoft says that Windows 7 needs at least 1GB of ram, but with these you are getting less because of the ram that's going to the Radeon. So I still think it's a little odd that they ship it with only 1GB.


BUT I took out the Hard Disk, 1GB memory, Windows 7 Starter Edition, and the half-mini pci wifi card, and replaced it with a Samsung SDD 64gb (I'm pretty sure you don't have to do this, but improving on battery life is always great lol), a 4GB stick, Windows 7 Home Premium, and a Altheros Wifi N/Bluetooth card. I also ordered an Intel before that, but the computer wouldn't boot with it, so yay Intel/AMD. I also ordered a
RealTek RTL8188CE wifi/bluetooth card because I am assuming that is the one they use in the U.K systems since they used that RealTek version without the bluetooth in the Canadian version. Anywhoooooo....



(the plastic is still over the monitor, sorry lol)


It was night and day with these upgrades. Seriously, it is so crazy that they sell the computer with those specs. Booting up was instantaneous, programs were opened almost immediately, the machine could play 1080P videos using gpu acceleration with ease, no problems with the new wifi/bluetooth (except I can't bring wireless/bluetooth up using the FN keys. All the other FN keys work, just not wireless/bluetooth...weird...maybe if I use the other Realtek wifi/bluetooth card it will come up?)

Now onto the main details:



Feel of the Laptop: The laptop feels really interesting. I don't know how to put it, but the top feels kinda leathery or something, but it doesn't attract any fingerprints which is awesome!

Size and Weight: This thing is small, it's very very very small. And it weighs 2.5 lbs. It's SMALL! I forgot it was on my bed a couple of times thus almost sitting on it. Here is a comparison picture of my Asus G73 to the Toshiba:



Keyboard and TrackPad It's silent, makes no noise when you are typing and the trackpad is very very good, certainly a lot better than the Asus G73 one, but that was defective out of the box anyway. (fixed it lol) Getting used to typing on this thing doesn't seem to be a problem as it feels right at home.

A minor thing to note though, since these are Canadian/UK keyboards, they are a little different, but not by much. I wish I could have gotten a Japanese keyboard, but hey maybe if they have it in Japan. Also there is this little area by the 1 key that drives me nuts. I always seem to press it thinking the ~ is there. But that's just me being dumb.






A few model shots:





Sound: Good god the sound is great! Harman/Kardon speakers on a netbook? Unheard of! You can hear these from downstairs at a pretty good volume! It's clear, crisp and no problems. This is one of the reasons I bought this thing and there is also a setting in the bios that allows you to use the speakers with a ipod or something when the computer is off. Very cool!!

Performance: Combined with a better HDD and more ram the computer plays 1080P files no problem with only 25% cpu usage (using gpu acceleration)! I tested Warcraft III and FFVII PC with updated HD graphics on it as well and it ran without a hiccup. Not the most 3D intensive games, but it ran well! I will do more tests later (Including TF2). Here is a video of my Asus G73 with 1080p display vs the Toshiba NB555D 600P display playing the same 1080P video. Now the screen on the Toshiba will be better then what I have here because the plastic is still on the screen lol. (I Don't want to take it off until I get to Japan)

Asus and Toshiba: Asus G73 (left) Toshiba NB555D (Right)


Inputs: You have 3 USB 2.0 (no 3.0 ), an HDMI output, ac input, Ethernet, and mic, sound out, and a SD card slot on the botom. All work great, no problems here.

Battery Life: Ok, I don't really have an accurate tab on the battery life, but lets say this: I had the machine on (downloading) with wifi on, installing random programs, full screen, full performance battery settings and after 5 1/2 hours it there was still about 35% left. Not really a good estimate, but I still say it's pretty damn good!

AC Adapter: It's about as big as 2 thumbdrives stacked on top of each other and weighs nothing.

Noise and Heat: Tiny fan on the left side that goes on every once and a while, not noisy at all, but not completely silent. The A/C adapter gets a little warm but the computer itself says cool even under load.

Screen: It's ok, not bad, but I'm sure it will be a lot better when I take the film off. Also only 600p is a little disheartening, but it's a 10.1" netbook...what are you gonna do heh.

Toshiba Web Cam: It's a 0.3 Web Cam, it's okay for doing some chatting/video on the go, but it's not anything mind blowing.

Upgrading: Easy as pie, everything is accessible when you take off the bottom panel underneath the laptop (2 screws). Takes a total of like 10 minutes.

Misc Notes: Since Toshiba doesn't officially support this netbook with anything other than the Starter edition of Windows 7, there are no 64 bit drivers for it on their website. So you have to mix and match things from Toshiba's site and the sites that some of the parts come from. Not too bad but annoying. Also it says a max of 2GB of memory on the site (which is a lie) Windows 7 Starter only supports 2GB, but 64 bit versions support up to 8GB (since there is only 1 memory slot and maybe 16GB when the 16GB modules come out heh) Intel mini pci-e wifi/bluetooth cards don't work with this machine, so don't even try. Get a RealTek combo bluetooth/wifi if you really want to upgrade. (like $20)

So to sum it up:

Pros:

• 
  Awesome battery life

• Sound is incredible, go Harman/Kardon speakers!

• AMD + Radeon Video Decoding = 1080P goodness!

• Can play some games

• Keyboard is silent

• Trackpad works great

• Hardly any noise comes out of the machine

• Not sure, but I heard they have a World Wide warranty

• Not that much bloatware and easy to get rid of

Cons:

• 600p screen

• One of the more expensive netbooks

• To achieve any of these results, you will have to upgrade the computer to at least 2GB of ram (minor note: You might get away with only installing more ram, but I would recommend getting 4GB of ram, a new HD and upgrade windows 7 as well, but it will drive up the price)

• No Windows 7 64 Bit drivers, so you will have to do some digging

• Only available in Europe/Canada/Australia since Toshiba wanted to go with the Atom processor in the US, BLEH!

• Wifi/Bluetooth doesn't show up in the FN keys for some reason, however it works perfectly. Maybe if I put in the wifi/bluetooth card that they use in the U.K it will work? Will update!

Any questions/Comments are welcome!

 

It kind of reminds me of a golf ball. Nice work on the review.

 

You know, I thought the same thing lol

 

I have this netbook and put in Kingston KTT1066D3S/2G a few months ago. Now that I installed Windows 7 Pro 64 I want to get 4 gigs. The 4 gig version of what I have seems hard to find, what ram did you put in for this review?

 

If you really don't like this, you could try replacing it with a 1366 x 768 screen from a Dell Mini 10. I replaced the screen in my NB505 with a matte Mini 10 screen and it works great.

 

Great review Coolmod!!

I have a question, I have installed Windows 7 Home Premium, can I install 16gb ram? Thanks.

 

Not in a Netbook, and not in 32 bit Windows. 64 Bit Windows needed. And likely 4 GB RAM at best, more likely 2GB RAM.

 

Thanks Kent T. I am running 64 bit windows. Whats the max I can run?