Category: openSUSE
Startup and shutdown speed
I'm not a huge fan of benchmarks since individual user configuration plays a lot in how a system boots up especially when you're running a system as malleable as Linux.The first step users might want to be is do head off to the BIOS and switch to the Advanced tab. Select Fast from the options. Changing that setting doesn't improve boot performance but it does remove the Toshiba logo that appears seconds after you press the power button. It's more of a psychological effect than anything else (it shaves off a second or two). One of the disadvantages of using this setting, however, is it makes entering the BIOS again a tad difficult (just hold down the F2 button after you press the power button if you find boot up "too fast" to get to the BIOS).
If you configured Grub2 to the lowest timeout value (or you have a fast trigger finger), boot up speed of openSUSE 12.2 KDE is a respectable 1:01.6. It's not exactly Archlinux or even Lubuntu fast but if you're committed to openSUSE, it's actually an improvement over previous releases (particularly compared to the 11.x series). Moreover, the latest release of openSUSE KDE 12.3 is purported to be much, much faster
As usual, openSUSE 12.2 actually loads a working desktop first before the audio kicks in - not unusual for openSUSE. There are plenty of services you can disable using the System Settings window, but the settings that are directly relevant to performance and boot up speed are the desktop effects (which can be disabled by unchecking one box) and Nepomuk. In other openSUSE boxes, I generally also disable any Bluetooth services since I don't have much Bluetooth accessories but the Toshiba's performance is such a leap from my previous machines that having the service enabled doesn't really do much to impact the system.
Shutdown with openSUSE 12.2 is a disappointing 18.6 seconds in my informal tests. It's not a deal breaker but it's certainly much longer than my Lubuntu and on par with Windows 7. Take note, however, that comparing openSUSE with frugal Linux distributions like Archlinux and Knoppix is unfair considering that a default openSUSE install comes loaded with several server technologies and virtualization tools.
Yast2 and KDE Performance on the NB520
KDE lags behind LXDE, Xfce, and even Enlightenment17 in terms of optimizing desktop objects. However, a well-maintained and adequately equipped system makes any KDE performance issues a moot point. In fact, the Toshiba NB520 handles all aspects of the desktop perfectly even when desktop effects are enabled or a few KDE Activities/widgets are running. Of course, filling up your desktop with widgets isn't exactly going to help your productivity especially with the 1024x600 resolution of the Toshiba NB520.
KDE's desktop and Mozilla Firefox are two of the slower aspects of openSUSE's default configuration but working with this netbook in the last few months has been a pleasure to say the least. I actually loaded LXDE as an alternative desktop environment but ended up using KDE instead - openSUSE has always worked better with KDE and KDE's bloat hardly affected the NB520's performance. I converted ebooks with Calibre, managed comic books and files on Dolphin, copied photos from the SD card, surfed the web, watched YouTube, ran Transmission for torrents, wrote blog posts, watched and exchanged e-mails with Thunderbird with nary a burp. I watched a ripped video of MTV's Spider-Man (which by the way was equal parts awesome and horrible) and enjoyed Neil Patrick Harris' voice acting via the Toshiba NB520's Harman Kardon speakers (despite Brian Michael Bendis' terrible writing, the visuals and audio production of MTV Spider-Man was actually good).
System Activity with Cherrytree, Transmission, and SMPlayer is extremely respectable though I don't really multitask much when I'm running a netbook - which actually means I get more work done than on my Ideapad.
One of the more visible effects of the newer Atom processor and 4GB of RAM on a netbook is launching YaST2. openSUSE's comprehensive systems manager used to launch slowly on my old Pentium M Acer Aspire 5500Z and my older EEEPC1000H. It didn't take forever on those older machines but with quadcore processors, tablets, smartphones, and increasingly shorter attention span of today's generation of users, the experience could be off-putting. However, launching YaST on the Toshiba NB520 was close to instantaneous. Even launching YaST2 tasks that require scanning hardware, such as Network Settings, Partitioner, Hardware Information, and Sound management, took less than 30 seconds.
Although I never timed openSUSE's YaST2 performance when I had it installed on my Lenovo Ideapad Z360, openSUSE feels faster on the Toshiba NB520 than on the i3 powered Lenovo notebook.
Harman Kardon and HD video
One of the selling points of the Toshiba NB520 is the Harman Kardon speakers on the palmrest. It's not a gimmick - the speakers are clearly superior to the tinny speakers on both my Ideapad Z360 and ASUS EEEPC 1000H regardless if the video or music file is encoded poorly. The design certainly doesn't replace the sound system of desktop replacement laptops but it does give an oomph - enough to annoy passengers on an airplane or airport waiting area if you decide to skip the headphones. The KDE boot up sound of openSUSE certainly made me blush when it tinkled in Shanghai's boarding area while waiting for my flight.
The newer integrated Intel HD chipset on the Toshiba NB520 could handle professionally encoded streaming video, such as those found in the Apple iTunes trailer web site. I also tried playing a downloaded Flash Gordon (1980) movie using SMPlayer and VLC. The result was a mixed bag. Audio was fine and came out clear on the aforementioned Harman Kardon speakers. Unfortunately, you couldn't scrub through the movie without ruining playback - the Atom processor and Intel chipset had problems playing, rendering, and fast-forwarding the HD video at the same time. You can play the movie from start to finish but I certainly don't recommend attempting to skip to the good parts (I tried to skip to the part where Ornella Muti was attempting to seduce Flash).
Ok, so the Toshiba NB520 peaks at an odd 1024 x 600 resolution. But if you wanted an expensive hybrid laptop, ultraportable, or tablet, you would've shelled out extra cash for one right? As it is, I'm extremely comfortable with the display especially once I got used to the keyboard (which in my quick review I struggled with initially after years with the 1000H). It would be embarrassing to review the colors and screen quality in light of today's incredibly amazing and superfluous displays (e.g. Retina screens). Besides, I'm not a gamer and I don't try typing or watching Sherlock (2010) on my netbook from a 15 degree or 45 degree angle. The brightness keys didn't work but there's probably a fix for resolving this though it didn't really matter since the battery is exceptional even if I didn't lower the screen brightness.
Wireless, Bluetooth, and Windows 7
Wireless and bluetooth worked out of the box. I've already written about openSUSE's 12.2's improvements with the KDE Network module and found no issues connecting to wireless networks. It also helps that the FN keys for the wireless works. The Atheros Bluetooth, on the other hand, can also manually be switched on using the notification tray icon (no more rfkill!). I've only recently discovered the usefulness of Bluetooth and I have to admit having a Bluetooth system working on Linux is convenient.
The Intel Atom N2800 is several generations ahead from the first Atom processor I tried years ago and performs quite admirably compared to the processor on my first generation EEEPC 1000H. Intel's Atom processor frequently gets overshadowed by news about the Nvidia Tegra and Qualcomm processors in tablets, but I can't imagine having anything else on this NB520 netbook. Plus, having the 4GB of RAM on a netbook added an additional cushion to somewhat heavier desktops tasks like multi-tasking online or converting audio.
Toshiba bundles some fairly compelling applications such as Sleep N' Charge and a few interesting FN keys. Unfortunately, they are designed only for Windows. FreeBSD and Linux users are left out of the party but there are reasons to just forget about the utilities - if you upgrade the laptop's RAM to 4GB then you can't dual-boot to Windows. Windows just won't boot with 4GB installed. So you're left with the choice of using a powerful Linux system or settling for an anemic Windows 7 Starter/Windows 7 with 2GB of RAM.
I agree that Intel should move on from Intel Atom processors but I'm glad I bought the Toshiba NB520 while I had the chance. I encourage penny-wise and no-nonsense tech workers to get one before they're gone.I don't recommend the NB520 for Windows users because of obvious reasons - RAM maxes out at 2GB with Windows 7 due to Microsoft's hardware limitations. However, I popped in 4GB and openSUSE ran with the ball and made everything work. The NB520 is a steal if you're a Linux user. And openSUSE? If you haven't tried openSUSE, download 12.3 now - 12.2 is excellent on my netbook and 12.3 is even better.
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