This 10″ laptop can be thought to surpass the original models such as the NC10, N110 and the N140 so if you want the next generation netbook from Samsung then this version is well worth a look.

Samsung N140

Ths Samsung N140 Netbook hit the UK at the end of Summer 2009. By September many new owners were proudly showing off their brand new N140 netbooks! This model represents an evolution of the N-series range and features some welcome updates to a market leading product.

An overhaul of the design, improved features and competative price ensured that the N140 was an instance success with those who have not yet bought a netbook, or who are perhaps upgrading from the first generation machines of early 2008.

Samsung N140 Review

The N140 is built on the same solid foundations as the excellent N-series range of netbooks from Samsung. Once again we see class leading battery life from this exciting new machine, offering up to 11hrs of performance.

With all the usual connectivity one would expect from an up to date ultra portable PC, including N class WiFi networking, the N140 should meet all of your requirements.

If you are looking to buy a Samsung N140 in the UK, then check out Amazon.co.uk:

The Samsung N110 is essentially an updated NC10.  It is very similar in shape and form with a few minor design changes. The main difference between the NC10 and N110 netbooks is that the latter is supplied with a superior battery and possessess a larger touchpad.  It is also decorated with a red trim around the edge, but other than that the two models are essentially the same.

The Samsung N120 netbook was released in 2009 and was the first in a batch of 4 new models released in the early half of the year.  This model was based on the solid specifications of the earlier NC10 netbook but featured a number of enhancements and a 100% sized keyboard allowing for a more comfortable typing experience.

The Samsung NC20 netbook was the second low cost ultra portable laptop to be released by Samsung following up the success of the NC10.

The NC20 stands out from the rest of the netbook market thanks to its larger 12″ screen and full sized keyboard.  This model is therefore a fantastic choice for anyone who has always like the idea of a buying a netbook but has been put off by a smaller screen and hard to use keyboard.

Despite being slightly larger than most devices in this class, the NC20 is still very light weight and easy to carry around.

Samsung NC20 Review

The real attraction to the NC20 is the increased size compared to the typical 10″ netbooks such as the NC10.   Many of you might have found the smaller models just a little to difficult to work on, perhaps the screen size is too small or maybe the keyboard is hard to type on.  Well if this is the case then the NC20 is perhaps your best option for buying a low cost ultra portable computer right now.

The Samsung NC20 netbook utilises the VIA Nano processor, almost all of the current competitors on the market are using the rival Intel Atom Processor.  This chip compares very well against its competitor and in some cases has been shown to out perform in specific tasks.

Check out the NC20 offers at Amazon:

Samsung NC20 Specifications

• Graphic Processor: VIA VX800 Chrome9™ HC3 DX9 3D engine
• Sound: HD (High Definition) Audio
• Sound Effect: EDS (Enhanced Digital Sound) Effect
• Multimedia Player: AVStation Now Play AVStation
• Speaker: 2 Speakers x 1.5 Watts
• Integrated Camera: 1.3 Mega Pixel integrated digital motion camera
• HDD: 80GB (5400rpm S-ATA) / 120GB (5400rpm S-ATA) / 160GB (5400rpm S-ATA)
• Wired Ethernet LAN: 10 / 100 LAN
• Wireless LAN: Atheros 802.11b.g
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
• Headphone-out: Headphone-out
• Mic-in: Microphone-in
• Internal Mic: Yes
• USB: 3 x USB 2.0
• Multi Card Slot: 3-in-1 (SD, SDHC, MMC)
• DC-In (Power Port): Yes
• Lock: Kensington Lock Port
• Standard Battery: 6 Cell
• Dimension (W x D x H mm): 292.4 x 217 x 30.7mm
• Weight, include Standard Battery (kg): 1.5kg

The Samsung N310 netbook sets itself apart from the crown by providing a unique sense of style that you will not find with any other model!  It is fair to say that opinion has been split over the design of this model with many traditional critics not liking the departure from the traditional laptop form.  But what do they know?  If you have a sense of individualism and want something that will stand out then this model is definitely for you!

The original Samsung NC10 netbook was their first entry into the market and was an undeniable success.  And even many months after the initial release this model is still a popular pick and a viable choice for anyone looking to buy a netbook right now.

This enduring success is a testement to just how well designed this machine is and it is easy to see why over a million people bought one!

Samsung NC10 Review

The Samsung NC10 netbook is a small light weight portable PC that is able to run all the day to day software you need.  Whether it is catching up on your email, writing up a document or watching the latetest television on iPlayer, this machine is able to handle it all.

This netbook has always impressed with its grown up laptop look and feel packaged into a smaller form.  Many of the early competitors looked toy like and unprofessional but the NC10 managed to combine top range build quality with a design that you won’t want to hide away.

With a 10″ screen and a keyboard approaching full sized keys this computer has always been praised for its usability ensuring that day to day computing is a pleasure and not a chore.

This model has the full range of connectivity to get yourself online and stay connected whilst on the move.  With built in WiFi you can easily connect up to your home network or make use of free services such as those found in many pubs and cafes.

Conclusions

Although the Samsung NC10 is an earlier release and one of the models that formed part of the second wave of models that really kicked off the netbook market, it still compares very well amongst its competitors and is a great choice for those looking for a stylish and fully functional portable computer at a great price, see below for current offers at Amazon.co.uk.

Specifications

• Operating SystemGenuine Microsoft Windows XP Home
• ProcessorIntel Atom processor N270 (1.6GHz, 533MHz, 512KB, 2.5W)
• Memory Size1GB
• Hard Drive Capacity160GB
• Intel Atom processor
• 10.2″ widescreen display is optimised to deliver a seamless visual experience
• Genuine Microsoft Windows XP Home
• Normal-size, notebook PC style keyboard, for easy typing
• Integrated 1.3 mega pixel digital motion camera

Samsung N510 Review

The Samsung N510 is one of the first computers to come to market using the nVidia ION platform and will therefore be the market leading netbook when comes to graphical power output.  Although it will not be able to compete with top range laptops and desktop gaming machines the N510 will be able to run games and output video far better than any other older model has been able to in the past!

The N510 has been spotted on a number of websites although large numbers have not started shipping yet.  Check out the Amazon page here.

After reading this article you will be much better equipped to pick out the best Samsung netbook available and if you decide to buy from a different manufacturer then these tips will still be valuable when it comes to choosing the best netbook.

What Should I Consider When Buying a Netbook?

We have talked about why you would want to buy a netbook elsewhere in this site.  And here we will look at what factors might influence your purchasing decision.

• Size:  Netbooks vary in size from smaller 7″ models right up to 12″, after that we are heading into notebook and laptop territory.  The ideal size for you will depend on how you will be using it and how comfortable you find smaller keyboards and screens.  Personally I wouldn’t look at anything below 10″ as the smaller models can be hard to use, I found that the 10″ models are a great balance between usability and portability, but you might want to go a little bigger if you prefer more space to work with.
• Cost: A decent netbook will set you back about £300, it is possible to spend less but you might find the model is a little below the specfication of the market leaders.  Some of the premium models can cost nearer £400, and after that you need to start comparing against notebooks and laptops.
• Performance: Most netbooks are based on the same technical platform and are therefore very similar in performance.  However functionality and build quality can vary considerably so check out things like the WiFi connectivity, Bluetooth, etc if these things are important to you.
• Battery Life: Battery life can vary widely between models.  Check out the supplied battery size, breifly, you will want to have a 6 or 9 cell battery but note that these are heavier and bulkier!  Ideally a high capacity 6 cell battery should last around 7 hours or so.  I would consider this kind of usage time a minimum.
• Operating System: Most netbooks are supplied with Windows but you can save some money by looking for a system that is supplied with an alternative OS.  I would suggest beginners stick to Windows if you are already familir with this.  Alternative operating systems do work great on netbooks but the novice might get frustrated with trying to get things to work with it.

What is the Difference Between the Samsung Models?

• Samsung NC10:  10″ model, the original and best value of the range
• Samsung NC20: 12″ model, based on the VIA CPU, larger size
• Samsung N120: 10″ model but with large keyboard and extended battery life, ideal for those that prefer to type with larger keys
  
• Samsung N310: 10″ model, unique style for those looking for something a little different
  
• Samsung N510: 12″ model based on the ION platform, the top netbook for performance

Compare the Samsung Range

What are the Other Popular Netbooks?

• Asus EEE
• Toshiba
• MSI Wind
• HP
• Dell

Samsung Netbooks

Netbooks have been the big tech breakthrough of the year with millions of these fantastic little devices being sold to many happy customers around the world.  However there are still many cynical people out there who just don’t get the point of these ultra portable mini PCs, some have even gone to great lengths to discredit this emerging market on their blogs.

However we here at SammyNetbook.co.uk are going to dispel some of these myths and give you an overview of just what a netbook can do for you and explain why you need to buy one!

Here you can find out:

• What a Netbook is really capable of
• The best models available here in the UK
• The advantages of owning one of these much talked about products

How a Netbook Could Change Your Life

Mobile Computing

I purchased my first netbook, the Samsung NC10, back in 2008 expecting it to be a handy little tool for occasional use.  I thought it would make a good machine for checking emails and browsing the web around the house but was pleasantly surprised by how many different uses I found for my new gadget!

The Samsung NC10 exceeded all of my original expectations and was easily capable of running all of the day to day applications that I loaded on and even some professional software too.

The following outlines some of the many things that I now regularly use my netbook for:

• Watch Internet Television: If you were like me, you probably watched the occasional television programme on iPlayer in front of your desktop PC whilst wishing there was a way to easily view your favourite TV directly on your living room telly.  Well the netbook easily solves this problem.  A standard feature of these computers is a VGA out socket that can be plugged into any modern television that possesses the correct input socket (which should be most recent models!).  You can now stream TV straight from these services over your wireless Internet connection.
• Stream Internet Radio: Of course you can connect it to your HiFi too and stream internet radio services such as Spotify direct to your living room too without the need of a large desktop tower cluttering up your space.
• Internet Access:  This may sound obvious but I found owning a netbook changed the way I accessed the Internet.  In the past, going online to check out a train timetable or pulling up a map would involve heading upstairs, powering up the desktop, waiting a minute or two to get going before being able to find the information I wanted.  But with my netbook I can be in the kitchen, by the front door, in the garden, and will have booted up and be on the right site in less than sixty seconds.  Suddenly, for the first time, I am seconds away from any piece of information I could possibly want to know!
• Social Browsing:  Following on from the previous point, I also found that our netbook helped unite the family.  The old ways involved heading off up to the PC, sitting on my own in a distant corner of the house whilst everyone got on with what they needed to in family areas of the home.  But with a netbook, a quick check of email can be done from the sofa, an amusing website can be passed around and shared, computing becomes far less of a solitary activity.
• Portable Computing: And another key reason why many have fallen for these great machines.  They really are truly portable PCs.  Sure laptops have been with us for many years but in reality they are heavy beasts that are really not suited for carrying with you on your backpacking trip, or even on a daily commute.  Netbooks weigh in at around 1kg, they are small in size and they can be used for hours away from a power socket.  At last we have fully functional computers to use on the go!

Is a Netbook a Real PC?

Multi Tasking

Of course it is!  Unfortunately some of the first models in this new age of computing were underpowered, featuring poor CPUs, slow disks and under specced components.  But as the genre started to expand the main manufacturers were quick to update and improve the specifications of their netbook models.

It is true that these mini PCs are not as powerful as top line desktop machines.  You wouldn’t want to be running multi CPU intensive software, or try to run lots of applications at once and there are some professional applications that won’t run very well at all.  A further problem is that these machines have small screens which can make manipulating tight work spaces tricky.

However the above problems will not be an issue for the majority of home users who just want to browse the web, listen to some tunes, or type up a document.  But even hardcore computer users will find a netbook makes a perfect companion to a primary desktop machine.

Which Netbook Should I Buy?

Well this site champions the Samsung Netbook range due to their exceptional quality and variety of models which ensures there is something for everyone.  However we do also mention some of the other leading competitors for completeness.   There are a few other models that you might want to consider, however it is worth noting that many of the netbooks out there at the moment are inferior clones – so pick carefully!

What next?

• Find out which Netbook is right for you?
• Check out Netbooks at Amazon