Samsung N210 Netbook
Here’s a look at the recently-released Samsung N210 netbook. It’s a 10.1” netbook that comes in a choice of 2 colours (black or white) & features Intel’s low consumption processor & a new keyboard.
The key promises of the machine are a solid, small machine with a very long battery life.
Here’s an overview of the spec, plus 5 things we love about it and one thing we’d change:
Specification
First the specification – as usual with Samsung, good quality components and nothing that would make you worry.
- Intel Atom N450 1.66GHz Processor
- 250GB Hard Drive
- 1GB DDR2 Memory (upgradeable to 2GB)
- 10.1″ screen (1024 x 600)
- 0.3-megapixel Webcam
- 3-in-1 Card Reader
- Bluetooth 2.1 EDR
- 802.11b/g/n wireless
- Ethernet
- 3x USB Ports
- Windows 7 Starter Operating System
And now here are the 5 bits that we think make the Samsung N210 stand out ahead of many of Samsung’s competitors:
Build Quality
The Samsung N210’s build quality is noticeable immediately. The machine is very light, but very solid. It has obviously been built to carry around in a bag & use on the train without worrying about it taking the occasional knock.
Screen
The N210 has a 10.1″ screen, with a 1024 x 600 resolution. This is very clear, and the picture is great even if you turn the brightness way down. The resolution can be changed (to 1024×700 and 1152×864), but is clearest at the standard resolution. The machine also has a VGA output, meaning it’s really easy to plug it into an external monitor (perfect for in the office/at home). Perhaps my favourite thing about the screen is that it’s matte. Most netbook screens are glossy. Glossy screens look great in the shop, but are terrible to use in bright conditions where they reflect everything. I was really happy to see the N210 had gone for a nice, clear matte display instead.
Battery Life
Samsung have always tried to remain ahead of the pack when it came to netbook battery life. With the Samsung N210 they quote an 11.2-hour battery life. It’s very common for manufacturers to quote battery life figures way above those you’ll actually get when using the machines. I was therefore really surprised to find that I could get very close to 11 hours of actual use from the N210. This was at a screen brightness of around 40%. I expect at a higher brightness you’d still get 7 or 8 hours, meaning a full day’s work.
Weight
Though you can’t say much about it, the weight of this thing is definitely one of its key features. The N210 weighs a ridiculously small 1.3kg. In other words, about the same as a plastic 2-pint milk bottle.
Keyboard
As with older Samsung netbooks, the keyboard here is great. It fills the width of the machine, meaning you get something as close as possible to a full-sized keyboard. The keys themselves are designed quite cleverly too. Each key pokes through the case individually, meaning there are virtually no gaps between keys. This is great, as it means it’s very hard for any dirt to get under there, and gives a very sturdy feel when typing.
Anything Bad?
The only fault I’d pick with the N210 is I had to spend 10 minutes uninstalling various pieces of ‘trial’ software that had been bundled with it. I understand why they do that (they get paid to do it), and that I get the laptop cheaper as a result, but I wanted to mention this in the review anyway.
Where to Buy the Samsung N210
Out of the 12 sites we checked, Amazon are selling the Samsung N210 at the best price. Move your mouse over the images below to check their current price: