Toshiba NB100 joins the Netbook revolution

by Stevie Smith - Sep 19 2008, 07:27

Just when you thought the tech world was done incessantly blathering on about ultra-portable Netbook computers, the ASUS Eee PC steps back into the spotlight by scooping ‘Gadget of the Year’ at this week’s Stuff Magazine awards in London, and Toshiba quietly emerges from the industry shadows with something tucked beneath its arm. One wonders what it might be.

Whilst attempting to muster as much faux surprise as is humanly possible, allow us to introduce you to the little NB100, Toshiba’s first-pass addition to the ever-expanding Netbook stockpile.

Set to hit retail outlets in October, the sleekly diminutive NB100 comes with everything we’ve come to expect from the emerging Netbook market, offering up cosy user interaction via an 8.9-inch TruBrite display screen (1024 x 600) and a helping of Intel performance juice duly squeezed from a 1.6GHz Atom (N270) processor, both of which have become the norm in the majority of today’s Netbook devices.

Other thoroughly predictable specifications include 1GB of RAM, a choice of either Windows XP or a Linux-based operating system, Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g), 10/100 Ethernet, an onboard 0.3 mega pixel Web cam, single-charge operation of four hours, a total weight less than 2.2lbs, and a trio of USB 2.0 ports.

In an attempt to at least partially separate its NB100 from the competition, Toshiba has opted to cram in a hefty 120GB hard disk drive (HDD), which is considerably more storage than most Netbooks provide, while also including handy “sleep-and-charge” technology that enables users to charge external devices via USB even when the computer is powered down.

Also, and while no indication of final build quality, the NB100’s combination of colour and design at least manages to make it appear refined in a marketplace not exactly known for its sparkling aesthetic.

Available in choices of Cosmic Black, Champagne Gold and Bright Silver, the new NB100 will be trotting into the bulging Netbook stable from next month saddled to a price of around £260 GBP (approx. $472 USD).

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