Toshiba has expanded its netbook offering with the NB520 and the NB500. One has frills, and one doesn't.
Let's go over the similarities first. Both of the new Toshiba netbooks include:
- 10.1-inch LED-backlit, TruBrite displays (1,024 x 600 resolution; 16:9 aspect ratio)
- Windows 7 Starter (32-bit)
- Up to 250GB of hard drive space
- 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
- VGA webcam with microphone
- Connectivity: Three USB 2.0 ports, 2-in-1 Card-Reader, Ethernet
- Dimensions: 10.3- x 7.5- x 0.7- (front)/1.4-inches (back)
- Toshiba Media Suite: Media Controller, Eco Utility, Life Space, ConfigFree
However, something has to come between these two. The NB520 has been spruced up with embedded Harman/Kardon stereo speakers featuring 2 x 2 watts output and Dolby Advanced Audio technology for listening along to an HD video. The NB500, however, is a meant for those looking for a basic netbook for basic computing. It isn't too shabby being that it will be "one of the thinnest and lightest netbooks." Here's a closer look at both:
mini NB520
- Intel Atom N550 processor
- Up to 2 GB of DDR3 memory
- Bluetooth 2.1 (Upgradeable to Bluetooth 3.0 later)
- Sleep and Music via microphone port
- Battery life: up to 10 hours with 6 cell battery
- Weight: 2.9 lbs. with 6-cell battery
mini NB500
- Intel Atom N455 processor
- 1GB of DDR2 memory (Can support up to 2GB)
- Battery life: Up to eight hours with 6-cell battery; Up to 4.5 hours with 3-cell battery
- Weight: 2.9 lbs. with 6-cell battery; 2.5 lbs. with 3-cell battery
Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but we should know more soon when these netbooks are rolled out during the first quarter of 2011. Given that the NB500 is being touted as the more basic model, I think it's a safe bet to say that one will be cheaper.