Samsung NC10 - Small Ideas From Samsung

Samsungs low-key entry into the netbook fray brings us the 10.2 inch Samsung NC10 netbook. With so much competition, especially amongst the larger ten inch mini laptops such as the Eee PC 1000 and MSI Wind, what does Samsung, with its existing mobile phone and laptop portfolio bring to the table?

The biggest difference is the storage space, a cracking 160GB, none of which is internet storage. That's double the hard storage of the MSI Wind, and 4 times the amount on the baseline Eee PC 1000 models. There is of course the Eee PC 1000H, but you'll pay fifty quid more than the Samsung - RRP £299.

Storage aside, it has other similar features to other netbooks. 10.2 inch screen anti-glare screen with 1024x600 resolution, Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor, integrated 1.3 megapixel camera, bluetooth, 6-cell lithium battery promising up to 6 hours battery life and a 93% full size keyboard. And Unlike the Eee PC and its copycat rivals, it doesn't come with a Linux option, simply Windows XP.

The keyboard and interface are interesting. Samsung have obviously had the brains to realize most people don't have such super-thin fingers, and so have produced a keyboard that is pretty useable. They've made the keys proportional to their functionality, the letter keys being almost full size. The compromise is in the arrow, top line (F1, F10 etc.) and in the touchpad - the touchpad is indeed very small. In general the interface seems to be tailored for the writer.

The Samsung NC10 on the whole looks far more serious than its rival Eee PC 1000 and MSI Wind. The curves and fluff give way to straight edges and the mighty Samsung logo. Whilst not brutally ugly, the top is quite smart, I wouldn't say the NC10 is a particularly attractive laptop - best looks go to the rival LG X110. It does have some goods bits, like the "Sony VAIO-type" power button located on the side. Colour choices are pretty mundane - white, black and blue, from best to worst.

So far, the Samsung NC10 seems, aesthetics aside, the best 10 inch mini laptop, without the keyboard and battery problems of other netbooks such as the MSI Wind. And at £299, definitely the best value for money. But when the LG X110 becomes available, perhaps we'll change our minds. We're yet to get our hands on one...