Review Toshiba NB550D (AMD Fusion) Netbook from notebookcheck

The Toshiba NB550D’s casing is based extensively on that of the NB500, other than the speakers in the palm rest. The matt plastic surfaces have a high-quality look, and the overall workmanship is convincing. The non-slip, rubberized surfaces below the keyboard and in the region of the lid are an unusual feature; as well as having a nice feel to them, these guard successfully against scratches and a build-up of dirt or dust. It does seem like the upper part of the screen bezel is a little oversized as a result of the large palm rest.

Though the case is mostly black, the netbook still manages to stand out from the crowd; the rubberized surface of the lid comes in either metallic brown, metallic lime-green or metallic orange, depending on your taste. Other than that it is a very straightforward, uncomplicated design, tapering towards the front for ease of use.

The netbook is for the most part robust. The keyboard flexes only in the central region. The hinges stick out from the back of the lid and hold it firmly in place, though we did notice some wobbling of the lid. Why Toshiba decided to make the screen bezel glossy, despite the rest of the case being matt, is a mystery, as the glossy surface has a tendency to pick up dust and scratches.

The netbook’s dimensions of 262 x 190 x 16.6 - 35.5 mm, and its weight of around 1.27 kg including the six-cell battery which it comes with, are within the normal range for a netbook with a 10-inch display. The relatively large access panel on the underside of the base unit is a pleasant surprise, allowing you to change the RAM or hard drive in minutes.