There is some, but almost all for arguably useful programs. The included Toshiba software seems well-designed even though I personally have no use for it.

Otherwise, it is an excellent buy for the money. I had it now for 5 days and very happy with my decision to get one! That will always be a mystery to me. It seems to me as if Microsoft is always looking for a way to take as much of my money as possible–just the updates to a “regular” Microsoft OS will cost as much as the netbook itself.

Three days in and this machine is rocking. It shipped quickly and right out of the box it fired right up.

For photo editing and tracking I installed the Canon Photo Stitch software that came with the camera. The Laptop even plays back my HD videos at full resolution with only a slight amount of pausing (glitching) in Windows media player. Appearance-wise, the Toshiba is so adorable and I’m blown away by how lightweight it was. It weighs practically nothing–you could easily slip it in your purse and carry it without even noticing the extra weight.

So I went online, did some research, and went to best buy and bought it for 279. First off, it is built very nicely. I had a little trouble getting this netbook to see the external USB hard drive, and then realized after a lot of poking around, if you have the quick boot option in the bios settings turned on, the netbook will only look to boot from the hard drive or SSD (or LAN I think). In order to boot from an external (USB) device, like for installing another OS, you must have quick boot off. It saved me from having to watch Vanessa Hudgens in Beastly. Just an aside, I have a bone to pick with Amazon constantly changing prices. After getting the right module, upgrading the memory module was very easy. I have only had this for two days and so far love everything about it.

I needed Wi-Fi and the ability to upload photos, to access email and Yahoo messenger and the ability to upload routes to my Garmin via Map Source. I have had several Toshiba Laptops in the past and they all performed flawlessly.

The wireless seems to have very decent range and reception. The battery life is better than what I expected and I have run it for more than 5 hours with it still going strong. We are now looking at HP & MacBooks to replace our $400, short-term purchase. I gave this 4 Stars, but I’ll tell you what I don’t like first. It is small, lightweight and I have yet to re-charge it in the last 2 days of using it (it runs on “balanced” mode so far and goes to sleep on its own but can be set to an “eco mode” which will make it last even longer on a charge). It runs windows 7 starter 32 bit OS and loads up fast. Another highlight of this particular netbook is the screen. It is magnificent for being as small as it is!

I debated on buying the iPad over a netbook, and I’m glad that I choose a netbook. TRUNK COFFEE TABLE.

We don’t have one negative thing to say. It was everything we wanted and then some!

The screen can look a tiny bit washed out but I haven’t messed with the settings too much so that could be user error (as are about 99% of computer problems). Don’t get this to play Crysis on. I have had this netbook for 8 months. This is not a bad computer and pretty simple to use. Also battery life has dropped from 11 hours (NB305) to 9.5 hours (NB505), according to their specs. I am not sure if this is a different 6 cell battery, a function of the Atom 455, or Win 7. Find the perfect computer for you and don’t settle. There were many disparaging reviews about this Toshiba netbook but I’m very satisfied with it.

My only reason for a non 5 star review is that I had to buy a USB wireless card because Ubuntu would not find and install my built in Realtek 8188 wireless card. I did find out that when I bought it, it was one of the newest netbooks on the market.

This netbook also never gets hot, saving battery life, because it doesn’t have to use the cooling fan nearly at all. As an avid photographer, I needed a repository for storing and reviewing my images during my overseas backpacking trips.

The screen is bright and clear and easy to read. All in all, this is a terrific little device and a great travel companion. I am still using Starter 7 as I have not found a need to upgrade to the full edition of Windows 7. I did put the full Office 2010 suite on the machine as the Word starter was awkward and the large ad window distracting on the small screen.

The DDR3 has its notch about an inch from the end of the module. The DDR2 has its notch about a half inch from the end of the module. At first I thought it defied the laws of physics, but then I realized what they did, and was very smart. They took keys that aren’t used as much, such as the F keys, slightly smaller, and the regular keys are full sized, and very comfortable.

I haven’t run a battery test yet but all indications are it will last quite a long time. I expect at least 6 hours minimum. I wanted to stay in touch with home base during a recent trip to Japan. I knew I would be moving from city to city, so my laptop seemed too much of a burden.

For Wi-Fi privacy, as well as accessibility to Websites forbidden in the countries that I was visiting (eg Myanmar and Saudi Arabia), I installed a free VPN from Security KISS. I also replaced the 30-day-trial Norton AV with Microsoft SE.

I’ve only had the little guy for 24 hours but everything is as advertised. All I wanted was something small and lightweight that I could type on to take notes at church.

I purchased the netbook mostly based on reputation and because I already own a Toshiba laptop. Prana Yoga Clothing.

Now that I have had a chance to use and play with my new netbook I know I made the right choice and I couldn’t be more pleased. I needed a device to store pictures on a long vacation so I looked for offline storage devices. This NB 505 does not produce heat!

The slick rubbery blue cover also makes it easy to grip and very nice to look at. I was debating on getting a 32GB Wi-Fi iPad for traveling but just don’t like the virtual keyboard concept and am glad to have gone with this unit instead especially since I saved more money as well. This is a word processing package that is perfect for anything she needs to do and lacks for nothing. It was easy to download the printer driver so she can print out all her schoolwork with ease. Toshiba makes good laptop computers. This netbook is just what I had hoped it would be. I like it a lot. I’ve only had my netbook a week, but I like it very much for what I use it for: I am a journalist and often cover conferences.

The wireless toggle doesn’t. There is also no switch for it in the BIOS.

I could see myself updating the RAM and hard drive eventually, but since I’m mainly going to use it for word processing and web surfing, the speed is adequate. The keyboard took just five minutes to get used to–it’s really intuitive for someone who types a lot, despite the fact it’s a little smaller than the standard. Toshiba gives it to Amazon in a little box, and the laptop itself is just in eggshell packaging. What’s worse is that Amazon puts it in a box and DID NOT surround it with packaging material.

I have been installing Amazon’s Kindle for the PC on my Linux netbooks, including this one. There are two issues with Debian. I liked it so much I bought two of them, one for my wife and one as a graduation present for my granddaughter. By the way, both of them like it as much as I do. Full size with multiple locations for keys (home, end, pg up, pg dn, ins and delete are not in their normal 2×3 configuration but it is made up by the fact that they have their own designated keys plus function + keys). I’ve only heard the fan kick on once or twice and then I thought I was hearing a stiff breeze outside. In my personal opinion, Windows 7 Starter is not as bad as some people say. Sure you can’t create a dual-monitor configuration, but there are ways around some other issues.

First time setup took about 5 minutes but afterwards loads quickly. It runs on 1 GB memory which is more than enough for me to have more than 3-4 windows running on various web pages.

This is not a technical review as I am not a tech kind of person. I know enough about computers to be dangerous and that is about it.

So I went online, did some research, and went to best buy and bought it for 279. Garage Shelves.

I asked a lot of question from the younger folks where I work and went with their advice. I have made the journey from Dos, the first Windows and everything in between to now Windows 7. The color is just awesome and the rubber gripping material is a great idea. The notebook is perfect for internet browsing, email and etc. It has worked like a charm, connecting to international wireless, fast enough to process documents, pictures and YouTube videos. Screen size and clarity are very good. The display is crisp and clear, the webcam works as well as my Logitech 9000, it never seems to get even warm much less hot while my laptops both sit on cooling pads and feel hot to the touch. The keyboard is the best, firm and solid – no sticking keys and amazingly they all work!

Even with the 6-cell, the NB505-N508BL easily fits in any 10.1″ netbook sleeve. I’m a sucker for sub $250 netbooks. Granted, I wouldn’t want this to be my only computer, but for my use as a take-along, I can live without wallpaper choices and sophisticated word processing tools. Yes, it is a bit slower than my Dell Inspiron, but its speed is acceptable, and the price, size and weight more than compensate.

I don’t leave home without it! I wanted something to carry while I was touring on the Motorcycle. It looks and feels solid and doesn’t leave finger smudges when you hold it which a lot of my friends complain about the iPad and other netbooks. I bought this for my wife and her travels for the summer.

The keyboard and track pad are great for a netbook so no problems there. Overall I give it a 5 star rating. The screen is bright, vibrant, and clear. I only need this machine for web surfing and email, but I find it to be very good at playing music and videos as well. It is tiny, light-weight and great for on the plane and in hotels. I travel for school a lot and was looking for something compact and light.

When you buy the extra RAM, just make sure that your model is the correct one for the ram you are buying. If there is a D3 on the bottom of the laptop, it is a DDR3 model. That helped me to make the decision on this netbook. I did a month of research before making my decision. It also works very well with NETFLIX and the other routine functions (Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Internet of a PC (albeit, not as fast as my desktop with dual-core processor). I have to admit that I did not want to wait, so I bought it at BestBuy.

This is a terrible no-no, but Ubuntu Lucid and Debian Squeeze are pretty well in sync, and it works.

I gave this 4 Stars, but I’ll tell you what I don’t like first. laundry sink cabinets.

I don’t know if all NB505′s use DDR3 but mine did. With free shipping the cost was $24.

Again, no noticeable improvements but at least I can change my background. They keyboard is nicely laid out. It’s also great to just use email to transfer documents even when using a mac for certain things. This works great as a secondary computer; in fact, I was slightly surprised at how well my netbook works. The volume control keys also don’t work. I haven’t tried the external monitor keys. I really like Toshiba’s customer service. This netbook is great.

Ditto with the Office Starter. It only includes Word and Excel and not the full versions.

If you don’t expect it to do everything your PC can do, you will be pleased. This unit is very much like the NB305 series with the card reader location exchanged with the audio inputs, by moving the reader to the front (beneath the touchpad) and vice versa.

Once you add RAM and configure it correctly (see cons), it actually becomes very fast. The inclusion of a cut-down MS Office 2010 and Norton 30-day trial is very convenient. As an independent consultant/contractor, I repair computers, and do technical consulting. In general, I am just an all-around tech geek.

I watched CNET videos, I really don’t see a problem with the device, and it works fine as a basic computer. You can do some basic design work, not a lot. It is small, lightweight and I have yet to re-charge it in the last 2 days of using it (it runs on “balanced” mode so far and goes to sleep on its own but can be set to an “eco mode” which will make it last even longer on a charge). It runs windows 7 starter 32 bit OS and loads up fast.

I had no problems setting it up (although I deleted several unwanted programs that were pre-installed – Norton for example, went with a better security package) which, including configuration took less than 30 minutes. I did install 2g memory right off the bat. It is quite solid, it has a nice keyboard, speed is as expected for a netbook, and the battery-life is terrific (7+ hours). The glitches I’ve run into are around sleep/hibernate and wireless.

As long as you know you’re buying a netbook and what a netbook can and can’t do this might be the product for you, here is my story. After much success in buying Toshiba products, I was very disappointed in the short life I experienced with this product.

The keyboard isn’t difficult to use and the track pad is OK – a little oversensitive for my taste. Unlike many other systems it doesn’t come with a lot of “bloatware” – trial versions of programs you don’t want anyway.

I only need this machine for web surfing and email, but I find it to be very good at playing music and videos as well. INFRARED GRILL.

I put in a second GB but haven’t really noticed major improvements, it was fine before but it’s nice knowing that it’s already there. I also loaded Win7 Home because it was $20. At first I thought it defied the laws of physics, but then I realized what they did, and was very smart. They took keys that aren’t used as much, such as the F keys, slightly smaller, and the regular keys are full sized, and very comfortable.

It is tiny, light-weight and great for on the plane and in hotels. I travel for school a lot and was looking for something compact and light.

It’s very portable, easy to grip, has a decent webcam/microphone, and pretty good battery life. One thing I suggest doing is NOT upgrading to anything higher than Windows 7 Starter unless you upgrade to 2GB of RAM. Now that I have had a chance to use and play with my new netbook I know I made the right choice and I couldn’t be more pleased. I needed a device to store pictures on a long vacation so I looked for offline storage devices.

Once that little learning curve is achieved, you get a better feel for what this little gem is capable of, and your respect 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 geezers you are used to. So I went online, did some research, and went to best buy and bought it for 279. First off, it is built very nicely.

As for speed, the computer is powerful enough for a netbook, and will run net-based and home office applications smoothly. Of course, it falls short for more intense use like video editing, image processing or games – but then again, that’s not what this computer is for. I use the Avast Home Edition on my desktop, and my laptop, and now my netbook. It is excellent, see Consumer Reports, and it is free. Along with the shoddy OS, this netbook comes with only 1GB of RAM. Now, again, if you are just using this machine for surfing the web and processing simple tasks, then it will act just fine. I have loaded it with the latest version of Office and it works like a charm. Just one little drawback: I can’t change the blue desktop picture — a quirk of Windows 7, I think. Power management gives me a good six hours of continuous use.

I wanted a real keyboard, nothing virtual, and I cared more about battery life and reliability than apps and customization. After much research, I decided to get this Toshiba.

It literally snaps in and out. All in all, it’s a great little computer. It arrived fast, and working OK! All in all, I WOULD recommend it to my friends!

I primarily use a 13″ MacBook Pro and I purchased this netbook because I needed a computer to run Windows, and I didn’t want to install Windows on my Mac. GAS WELDING CYLINDERS.