Toshiba Bows $299 mini NB505 Netbook with EasyGrip Finish, Dual-Core NB305

Given that CES 2011 is all about tablets, it's not easy to get excited about a new netbook. But Toshiba at least racks up some style points with the new mini NB505. The 2.9-pound machine's EasyGrip finish feels great and comes in several hues, including brown, blue, lime green, orange and turquoise. For $299 you get a single-core Intel Atom N455 CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, and up to 8 hours of juice.

Those willing to splurge can pick up Toshiba's first dual-core netbook, decked out in a new blue aluminum finish. Priced at $379, the NB305 is not only faster than its value-priced cousin but weighs less (2.6 vs. 2.9 pounds), lasts longer on a charge (8:40), and features both a hard drive impact sensor and sleep-and-charge USB port. The NB305 includes the same spacious keyboard and touchpad that made its predecessors Editors' Choice picks.

Full gallery below, including hands-on shots of the NB505's grippy lid.

Mark Spoonauer
Editor-in-Chief
Responsible for the editorial vision for Laptopmag.com, Mark Spoonauer has been Editor in Chief of LAPTOP since 2003 and has covered technology for nearly 15 years. Mark speaks at key tech industry events and makes regular media appearances on CNBC, Fox and CNN. Mark was previously reviews editor at Mobile Computing, and his work has appeared in Wired, Popular Science and Inc.