Samsung has successfully taken on the U.S market in several areas of the technological industry, and the computer business has not been an exception. Recently, the company has launched its very own version of the netbook – a popular item amongst sellers and buyers alike. Other big shot companies such as Acer, Lenovo, Hewlett Packard, and Dell all include netbooks in their product line, indicating that the small, economic netbook has taken a permanent spot in the tech world.
Samsung’s version of the netbook is called the NC10. At $499, it has a 10 inch display and a design that is very comparable to the MSI Wind or Lenovo S10. The truth is that the NC10 is simply average and fails to establish itself as a different kind of netbook. In fact, its most obvious quality is its lack of originality. It does not offer any special options such as the roomy keyboard of the HP Mini 1000’s or the efficient ExpressCard slot of the Lenovo IdeaPad S10.
However, its lack of unique features does not mean that the netbook has nothing else to offer. The battery life is surprisingly impressive, following closely behind the Asus netbooks. If battery life is indeed your priority when purchasing a netbook, rather than Lenovo’s expansion slot, Dell’s customizability (Samsung does not offer SDD or Linux), or HP’s big keyboard (the NC10’s keyboard is decent, but not as roomy), then the Samsung netbook is the one for you.
The Samsung NC10 has clearly followed the design trend for the “typical” netbook, having a familiar vibe similar to the netbooks of Acer, Asus, and other brands. Although Lenovo’s S10 has a more sharp-edged design compared to the NC10’s curved, rounded look, the differences between the two models are barely noticeable. In addition, Samsung’s NC10 does not offer a large variety of customization – there are only two choices, white or a blue chassis.
The keyboard is definitely a sight to see; it’s simply one of the best keyboards that we have ever dealt with, right after HP’s Mini 1000. The keys are somewhat tapered and extremely easy to use, unofficially confirming Samsung’s claim that they are 93 percent as big as a full size keyboard. Additionally, the essential keys have been left where they are supposed to be, avoiding any cumbersome changes. However, the touch pad is a different story – it is long and narrow (only about one inch in length), making it difficult to surf through long web pages and documents.
The NC10 offers 1,024×600 resolution on a 10.2 inch wide-screen LCD display, following the standard set for most netbooks. The resolution provides an enjoyable computer experience, especially on a 10 inch display. We definitely think that it is worth it to pay the extra to get the 10 inch, rather than the 9 inch.
The Intel 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor provides enough power to run simple, business tasks such as writing up word documents, web surfing, and watching basic multimedia. The N270 processor was especially designed to fit in with the demands of low-power computers such as netbooks. A typical netbook “combo” consists of 1GB of RAM, Windows XP, and Intel Atom’s CPU, which explains why there is not a significant performance difference amongst many netbooks – the NC10, HP Mini 1000, Dell’s Mini 9, and more. Most any netbook will do for basic computing tasks, as long as you have realistic expectations.
In terms of battery life, the NC10 survived our video playback test for 4 hours and 41 minutes, withstanding the intense battery drain. With a six-cell battery, it managed to do a lot better than most netbooks, minus the Asus Eee PC 901 and 1000 (also have six-cell batteries). However, it should be noted that the battery is quite bulky compared to that of the HP or Lenovo, which may be an unnecessary nuisance for some.
The NC10 comes with a solid network of customer service that offers a one-year parts-and-labor warranty. If you are having trouble with your system, you have the option of consulting a variety of aids – a 24/7 toll-free phone line, driver software, and an informative website. Furthermore, the Samsung website is organized in a way that makes it extremely easy to utilize, confirming Samsung’s role as a fresh, innovative company.
Tech Specs (varies with customization):
Manufacturer: Samsung
Manufacturer Part Number: NP-NC10-KA02US
Manufacturer Website Address:
www.samsungusa.com
Brand Name: Samsung
Product Model: NC10-14GW
Product Name: NC10-14GW Notebook
Product Type: Netbook
Processor & Chipset
Processor Manufacturer: Intel
Processor Type: Atom
Processor Model: N270
Processor Speed: 1.6GHz
Processor Technology:
# Hyper-Threading Technology
# Enhanced SpeedStep Technology
Bus Speed: 533MHz
L2 Cache: 512KB
Memory
Standard Memory:
1GB
Maximum Memory: 2GB
Memory Technology: DDR2 SDRAM
Memory Standard: DDR2-800/PC2-6400
Memory Card Reader: 3-in-1
Memory Card Support:
# MultiMediaCard (MMC)
# Secure Digital (SD) Card
# Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC)
Storage
Hard Drive Capacity: 160GB
Hard Drive RPM: 5400
Display & Graphics
Screen Size: 10.2″
Graphic Mode: WSVGA
Display Screen Type: Active Matrix TFT Color LCD
Display Screen Technology: SuperBright
Widescreen: Yes
Display Resolution: 1024 x 600
Graphics Controller Manufacturer: Intel
Graphics Memory Capacity: 128MB
Graphics Memory Technology: DDR2 SDRAM
Graphics Memory Accessibility: Shared
Network & Communication
Network Technology:
# Fast Ethernet
# Wi-Fi
# Bluetooth
Network Standard:
# IEEE 802.3u
# IEEE 802.11b/g
# Bluetooth 2.0
Input Devices
Keyboard Size: Full Size
Interfaces/Ports:
# 3 x 4-pin Type A USB 2.0 – USB
# 1 x VGA
# 1 x Mini-phone Headphone
# 1 x Mini-phone Microphone
# 1 x RJ-45 Network
# 1 x DC Power Input
Built-in Devices
Camera: Yes
Microphone: Yes
Software
Operating System: Windows XP Home with SP3
Software Included:
# Samsung Recovery Solution III
# Samsung Magic Doctor
# Samsung Update Plus
# Easy Display Manager
# Easy Battery Manager
# Easy Network Manager
# Easy SpeedUp Manager
# McAfee Virus Scan
# Adobe Acrobat Reader
# Microsoft Office Professional 2007 (free 60-day trial)
Battery Information
Number of Batteries Support: 1
Number of Cells: 6-cell
Battery Chemistry: Lithium Ion (Li-Ion)
Maximum Battery Run Time: 8 Hour
Physical Characteristics
Dimensions: 1.19″ Height x 7.3″ Width x 10.27″ Depth
Weight: 2.8 lb