Toshiba NB550D

Toshiba NB550D review

Toshiba's new NB550D netbook looks almost identical to the company's older NB520 model, but don't be fooled by its appearance -- under the bonnet, there's a whole new engine at work. Whereas the NB520 relied on a dual-core Intel Atom processor, the NB550D uses one of AMD's new C-50 chips. Available for around £280 online, does this 10.1-inch netbook represent the dawn of the Atom-killing age? The NB550D is available in two colours: copper and blue. The copper model is called the NB550D-109 and the blue model is the NB550D-10G.We found our review sample's copper colouring quite fetching, but the overall design of the netbook left us with mixed feelings. We love the soft-to-the-touch, rubberised finish on the lid, for example, but the matte black plastic employed elsewhere is pretty underwhelming. Measuring 262 by 36 by 190mm, and weighing 1.3kg, the NB550D isn't the slimmest or lightest netbook on the market, but it does feel like it's built to last. Like the NB520, this model has two fairly large Harman Kardon speakers embedded in the wrist rest, behind small metal grilles. These speakers aren't exactly hi-fi quality, but they do produce much louder sound, with more body, than pretty much any other netbook speakers we've encountered. In fact, they're better than many laptop speakers.