The Samsung N310 is a striking netbook that builds on the success of the Samsung NC10. However, Samsung has tried to differentiate its latest offering by dragging in a designer to give the look and feel an overhaul. Has he succeeded? Check out our review of the latest pre-production model for the full details..
The Samsung N310 netbook has been designed by award winning designer Nato Fukasawa to have a smooth and rounded design like that of a pebble and in many respects he’s done exactly that. You won’t find any edges to the N310, which goes completely against the design laid out in the previous Samsung NC10.
It’s not only the shape that’s different, for as soon as you open the lid you’ll find the netbook has a two-tone effect- our review unit having a blue outer shell with a black liner.
The 10.1-inch screen has a frameless design and looks amazing. It has a native resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels but a neat Samsung app allows you to change it on the fly to 1024 x 768 pixels - perfect for watching movies in 16:9 aspect ratio.
The keyboard has been given an overhaul as well as uses Samsung’s latest design, as seen on the likes of the Samsung X360 laptop, where the keys are forced through the body of the device. This helps add space and rigidity to the keys. It’s an amazing keyboard for the size, which is almost full-size, and incredibly easy to use.
When it comes to specification, you’ll find the N310 is pretty much what we’ve come to expect from a netbook. So you’ll find Windows XP ticking away quite nicely on the Intel Atom N270 processor. There is a single SODIMM of memory that Samsung has made easily accessible so can easily be upgraded to 2GB at some later date. The 160GB hard drive is also standard of this type of machine.
Extra features come in the form of 802.11n wireless LAN, while Bluetooth also makes a welcome appearance. There are the now customary three USB ports, as well as VGA-out and Ethernet, the latter of which has a protective cover as if suggesting you won’t use it that much.
Verdict
The Samsung N310 netbook is certainly a premium product and Samsung has gone to great lengths to make it look like no other netbook out there. We like the shape but we’re not convinced the blue colouring will be a hit. That said, you’ll be impressed by the screen and bowled over with the keyboard, which makes the Samsung N310 netbook a winner in our books.
Check out the latest Samsung netbook deals
Best features
Frameless screen
Large keyboard
Decent battery life
Not so good
Two tone design
Typical netbook spec
Rather expensive
Check out the Samsung N310 image gallery:
Check out the Samsung N310 in action:
Closest rivals
Acer Aspire One A110
This 8.9-inch netbook uses Linux for a quick boot-up and easy to understand interface. It’s slim and light and makes a great choice for those with smaller hands
Advent 4211c Netbook
The screen and keyboard are the same size as the Samsung NC10, make this a smashing, and cheaper alternative, but it can’t quite match the battery life
Asus Eee PC 900 12GB
Packing everything you’ll need into this 8.9-inch netbook hasn’t been easy but Asus has managed it, and delivers on the battery life front too
100% secured payment
With limited availability at present I haven’t heard back from many N310 owners but the few that have got one do speak highly of it. The N310’s biggest competitors are probably rival netbook’s from Samsung, but if you like the style then you won’t go too wrong with one of these.