Netbook Review – Acer, Asus Netbook Review

Rating:5.5/7

With a large 12.1 inch screen, we found that the Samsung NC20 stood out from the netbook crowd. It combines a fine design, a fast processor, and a large keyboard, all in one sturdy casing. This 12″ netbook is available for $490.

Samsung NC20 Review – Top Features

• Performance – The Via Nano U2250 Processor means the Samsung NC20 runs faster than the majority of netbooks on the market today. Compare its bus speed of 800MHz to the 533MHz you will find on most processors.
• Screen – High resolution 12.1 inch screen, with a clear 1280 x 800 pixel display.
• Keyboard – Large Keyboard which is as easy to type on as a laptop [97% of a full keyboard].
• Case – Good build quality. The NC20 is sturdy and strong.
• Battery Life – More than 4 hours of battery life even with Wi-Fi constantly on. Not bad for a 12″ netbook.
• Design: Very nice design.

Samsung NC 20 – Drawbacks and things to keep in mind

• Screen – Reflective glossy screen which is seen on plenty of new netbooks.
• Design – At 3.3 pounds it is heavier and larger than average netbooks.
• Keyboard- Fairly small space bar.
• Cover – Glossy cover will ling fingerprints.

Samsung NC20 Netbook Ratings

1. Price and Value for Money – 0.5 stars. The price is fairly high, but you will definitely be pleased after using all of the features packed in this machine.
2. Speed and Performance – 1 star. The Via Nano U2250 Processor makes the Samsung NC20 run smoothly.
3. Screen – 0.5 star. Very good screen with high resolutions in comparison to other netbooks. Unfortunately it has a glossy screen which makes it difficult to use in areas with high light intensity.
4. Keyboard and Usability – 1 star. Large keyboard and a good sized touchpad.
5. Portability and Battery Life – 0.5 star. A fairly good battery life of more than 4 hours.
6. Looks and Design – 1 stars. The NC20 has an attractive design similar to other Samsung Netbooks.
7. Connectivity & Extensibility – 1 star. The Samsung NC20 contains all the necessary connection features, 3 USB Ports, 3-in-1 card reader etc.

Overall, that gives the Samsung NC20 an overall rating of 5.5 stars out of 7.

Samsung NC20 Review – The Bottom Line

The Samsung NC20′s large high resolution screen and 97% keyboard make it perfect for those of you who are looking for a large sized netbook.Students, professionals, savvy computer users and anyone who travels frequently – if you are stuck for choice and are looking for a strong, large screened netbook which can get real work done on at home, or “on-the-go”, I definitely recommend the Samsung NC20 – very few netbooks today can match it.

You can find the Samsung NC20 at Amazon for $490 with free shipping.

Samsung NC20 – What have buyers on Amazon said?

Pros:

1. “Easy to use”
2. “Terrific Netbook”
3. “I would highly recommend the NC20”
4. “This is a really affordable computer”
5. “Perfect size, very portable and light weight.”

Cons:

1. “[The] lid attracts fingerprints but it can be cleaned.”
2. “Samsung should have given an official upgrade to 2GM RAM”
3. “Shiny screen is reflective”.
4. “No Linux support”.
5. “The charger and its wires are very heavy”.

Samsung NC20 – Technical Specifications

* Screen: 12.1” LED WXGA (1280 x 800)
* CPU: VIA Nano™ ULV Processor U2250 (1.3+GHz, 800MHz)
* Chipset: VIA VX800 Unified Digital Media IGP Chipset
* Graphics: Integrated VIA Chrome9™ with DirectX 9.0 3D graphics support and hardware video acceleration
* OS: Microsoft R Windows XP Home Edition
* Memory: 1GB DDR2 (1*SODMM)
* Storage: 160GB HDD (9.5mmH 2.5’’HDD, SATA)
* Webcam: 1.3 Mega pixels web camera
* LAN: 10/100Mbps LAN
* Wireless: Atheros 802.11 b/g
* Bluetooth: 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
* I/O Ports: USB2.0 x 3, Ethernet LAN, 3-in-1 card reader
* Battery: 6 cells Li-ion Battery Standard
* Dimensions: 11.5″ x 8.5″ x 1.2″
* Weight: 3,35lbs
* Special Features: 6.5 hours battery life
* Colors: White

Filed under: Samsung Netbook Review