The Toshiba Mini NB305 is widely regarded as one of the best netbooks around – and with good reason. It’s a good looker, has an amazing keyboard, good build quality and a pretty reasonable price. It has now been updated with the new Intel Atom N455 processor. The Atom N455 chip is equipped with DDR3 capable memory controllers and this will improve system performance due to a faster data transfer between the CPU and memory.
There is no significant changes in the specification of the Toshiba Mini NB305-N440 and it largely resembles the NB305-410 models. Read the full review of Toshiba Mini NB305-N410
Toshiba Mini NB305-N440 Specification
- Operating System : Microsoft Windows 7 Starter (32-bit)
- Processor : Intel Atom N455 (1.66GHz, 512KB L2 cache, 667MHz FSB)
- Chipset : Mobile Intel NM10 Express
- Display : 10.1-inch Widescreen LED Backlit LCD (Native Resolution:1024 x 600)
- Graphics : Intel GMA 3150 (250MB shared graphics memory)
- Memory : 1GB DDR3 RAM (easily self upgrade RAM to 2GB)
- Storage : 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
- Wireless Data Network : WLAN: 802.11b/g/n
- Input/Output : 1 x VGA connector, 3 x USB 2.0 ports (1x with Sleep and Charge), 1 x LAN RJ-45, 2 x audio jacks(Headphone & Mic-in)
- Camera : 0.3 megapixels
- Audio : Integrated Stereo Speakers
- Flash Media Slot : Secure Digital, SDHC, MMC
- Optical Drive : No Optical Drive (optional external optical drive can be connected via one of the USB ports)
- Battery : 6-cell battery(48 Wh) – Up to 8.3 hours of battery life
- Dimensions : 10.47 x 7.57 x 1.43 inches (WxDxH)
- Weight : 2.6 lbs
Upgrading Toshiba Mini NB305-N440 netbook memory from 1GB to 2GB
Take note of the following;
- The netbook comes with only 1 slot and it is populated by a 1GB memory module
- That means you have to remove the 1GB RAM module to insert the new 2GB RAM module
- Make sure you purchase the right memory module – a 204 pin DDR3 SODIMM notebook memory module. Users have reported that Kingston 2GB DDR 3 RAM (KVR1066D3S7/2G) worked without a hitch.
- Installing the memory is a snap. You just need a tiny Philips screwdriver to remove one screw from back cover. Once unscrewed, the screw stays on the door. Have to slide the door towards the screw and lift up gently. Pop out the old, pop in the new, replace the cover and boot it back up. (Refer to steps outlined in easily self upgrade RAM)
Toshiba Mini NB305-N440 Color Options
Available in 4 colors
- Java Brown – Toshiba Mini NB305-N440BN
- Ruby Red – Toshiba Mini NB305-N440RD
- Royal Blue – Toshiba Mini NB305-N440BL
- Frost White -Toshiba Mini NB305-N440WH
Software Included with Toshiba Mini NB305-N440
The following software comes with the netbook;
- Microsoft Office 2010 Starter – Purchase of a Product Key required to activate to a full Office 2010 suite
- Microsoft Silverlight
- Windows Live Essentials
- Norton Internet Security 2010 (30 day trial)
- TOSHIBA PC Health Monitor
- TOSHIBA Bulletin Board – organizational and productivity application that lets you build your own personalized space on your desktop
- TOSHIBA ReelTime – helps you cut down the time it takes to search for files
- Toshiba Media Controller – offers simplified media sharing
- Hard disc (HDD) recovery
- WildTangent® Orb™ Games Console
User Reviews
We analyzed 35 reviews online and the Toshiba Mini NB305-N440 netbook’s average rating is 3.5 stars out of 5 stars. The reviews for this product are mixed and are not quite as stellar as you would normally expect from a Toshiba laptop.
The people that gave this machine positive reviews say that this is an exceptional netbook that is built well and good for travel. In the words of a reviewer “The Toshiba netbook’s 3lb weight and size makes it incredibly portable, handleable, and stowable. Grab it single-handedly at the palmrest, grab it at the hinges, or scoop it up from underneath; it’s construction feels sturdy and solid where you don’t have to worry about something falling off from this kind of abuse”.
The thing that got the most thumbs up was the keyboard, which a lot of people felt were very comfortable. According a reviewer, “ the quality is excellent, the keyboard, takes almost zero getting used to from a full size keyboard. I am typing this review from the unit itself, and I can type to 95% full speed.”
Many liked the NB305′s design that accommodates a 6-cell battery without goofy protrusion compared to competitors with their 3-cell designs. Thanks to the 6-cell battery most reviewers reported about 7 -8 hours of battery life. One user reported that “The battery life is great and I use it frequently to chat with my boyfriend in England. I would recommend this netbook to everyone!!”.
Several people commented that the web-cam provided adequate resolution and works very well with Skype. A few other things that people liked is the comfortable keyboard and that one of the three slots on the netbook offers power even when it is off. This means only having to carry a USB charge cable for your phone instead of a larger dedicated wallwart when travelling lite.
Not surprisingly, many people also expressed their dissatisfaction and disappointed with The Toshiba Mini. For some, it was nothing more than a grand waste of money or simply called it a pile of junk. One major gripe that people had was that the memory upgrade to 2 GB didn’t work out so well. This has been attributed to Toshiba originally had the wrong memory upgrade listed on their site, and folks ordered it & it didn’t work. Toshiba had admitted their mistake and have since listed the correct memory part number for an upgrade to 2 GB! Users who upgraded with Kingston 2GB DDR 3 RAM (KVR1066D3S7/2G) worked without a hitch.
Toshiba has also recommended that the BIOS be upgraded to version 1.5 for it to work with DDR 3 memory. Versions prior to 1.5, could only handle DDR2 memory and one has to upgrade the BIOS to at least version 1.5 to take advantage of the newer DDR3 memory technology. All new machine are now shipping with the new BIOS.
There were a number of other complaints about this machine as well including low speaker volume and lack of built-in Bluetooth. To be fair one must accept the fact that poor audio quality is not unique to this machine – as a matter of fact, all netbooks seems to suffer the same problem. Lack of bluetooth is definitely a short-coming but you could use a USB dongle if it is needed.
There were other negatives thrown at this machine, but the majority came from people who have either received a defective model or had poor customer service. However, poor customer service experience from some users shouldn’t be held against the product itself and according to our research the Toshiba Mini NB305-N440 seems to be a good quality netbook.
The general consensus is that this is an exceptional netbook that is built well and the problems faced by those who gave low ratings are typical of early purchasers. Every new product that comes on the market does get its fair share of positive and negative reviews, and sometimes it all depends on where ones interest lies. However, with merely just four months out, what can one really expect… most assuredly, the reviews are going to be mixed? Anyway, one would hope that the engineers at Toshiba are taking notes of both the positives and negatives, and within the next couple of weeks or months, the machine would be as free of any perceived flaws it might be having right now.
This stylish super compact netbook will appeal to anyone who puts performance, portability and battery life at the top of their list of priorities and according to our research this netbook definitely deserves a better rating than a 3.5 stars.
Where to Buy Toshiba Mini NB305-N440 Netbook
We found Amazon.com to have the best prices on all netbook computers including the NB305-N440. Click on the links below to visit the product website for additional information and special offers. You can also compare prices from the numerous retailers by clicking on the More Prices link.
Toshiba Mini NB305-N440RD 10.1-Inch Ruby Red Netbook
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Toshiba Mini NB305-N440BN 10.1-Inch Java Brown Netbook
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Toshiba Mini NB305-N440BL 10.1-Inch Royal Blue Netbook
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Toshiba Mini NB305-N440WH 10.1-Inch Frost White Netbook
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Optional Upgrades
Kingston 2GB PC3-5800 1066MHz 204-pin DDR3 SODIMM Memory Module ValueRAM [KVR1066D3S7/2G]
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Microsoft Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade [Starter to Home Premium]
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Microsoft Office Home & Student 2010 [Disc Version]
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I bought the recommended Kingston memory upgrade (KVR1066D3S7/2G) and the machine will not boot with it installed. I went back to the original and there is no problem. Any idea what is wrong?
Couple of users have reported the same problem. Have you upgraded the bios?
Toshiba has recommended that the BIOS be upgraded to version 1.5 for it to work with DDR 3 memory. Versions prior to 1.5, could only handle DDR2 memory and one has to upgrade the BIOS to at least version 1.5 to take advantage of the newer DDR3 memory technology. Hope this helps.
Brian, it did not work. I upgraded the BIOS to version 1.7 and the machine does not boot. I get a click and nothing. It works fine when I put the old memory back in the machine.
At this stage I can only suspect the memory. Memory modules can be easily damaged by static charges. Have you tried to get a replacement memory?
I just reordered the memory from Amazon so we will se what happens in a few days.
Brian, the second memory module from Amazon just arrived and it boots fine. System says I have two gig installed and it shows the proper speed. Looks like you were correct in that the first one was defective. Thanks.
Bill I am glad you have got the new memory module working.