Best Netbooks | Samsung NC20

Best Netbooks - Samsung NC20 12" Netbook

Is the Samsung NC20 12" Netbook a Good Buy?

Netbooks used to have small screens - up to 10" - but there is now a move towards larger 12" screens. This is of course an improvement but it does cause problems as 12" netbooks are heavier, the battery life is shorter and they are also more expensive.

Samsung has earned itself a reputation for making some of the best netbooks on the market, although at times they are more expensive than the competition, The NC20 has a great keyboard and nice screen but the trackpad could be better.

The processor used in the NC20 is a VIA not an Atom but the performance is nearly identical. The 1280x800 screen resolution is OK as is the 5 hour battery life.

The NC20 does however have an excellent keyboard and screen. The price of less than $500 bucks is also good for a Samsung

The main selling point of the Samsung NC20 is the 1.3GHz Via Nano CPU it can run the same software as chips from Intel and Advanced Micro Devices.

The NC20 is the first netbook with a Via CPU but previous models form manufactuerrs such as HP have been disappointing. This new Nano is a great improvement, being designed specifically for small, low-power laptops.

Dimensions

Samsung NC20-21GBK Netbook
1.3GHz VIA Nano U2250, 1GB DDR2, 160GB HDD, Windows XP, 12.1" LCD - MPN: NPNC20KA02US

The Samsung NC20 is larger than the Dell Inspiron Mini 12—and the Lenovo ThinkPad X200. Its dimensions are 11.5 x 8.5 x 1.2 inches, the NC20 is also heavier than most netbooks at 3.4 pounds. It's too big for a purse but fits into a shoulder bag.

It has been given an Editor's Choice award at laptopmag who point out the slightly better performance than the current Intel Atom based netbooks. In the US the NC20 will cost about $100 more than the ASUS Eee PC 1000HE ($399), which is smaller but with a longer battery life. The NC20 is however easier to read due to its 12-inch screen, so if this is important to you, it is a good choice.
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