Samsung should be on to a winner with its Samsung X120 laptop - taking its basic netbook design and tweaking it for the budget laptop market. However, not everyone will be happy with the design and layout of this laptop. Find out more with our Samsung X120 review…
We really like Samsung’s netbooks, from the budget Samsung N130 to the designer Samsung N310, they simply work. Samsung is hoping to repeat the success with the introduction of its first 11.6-inch Intel Consumer Ultra Low Voltage (CULV) processor.
The Samsung X120 is made from the same black plastic as the Samsung N140 netbook, so the build quality is more than adequate for the entry-level market. What’s more, you’ll find a glossy silver lid has been added to give the machine a more distinct look.
This version of the Samsung X120 runs Windows 7 Home Premium Edition and with a battery life just short of four hours, it offers a reasonable amount of life away from mains power. However, if you want more, we would suggest sticking to a netbook.
What you lack in battery life you’ll find is made up for in performance as the Samsung X120 is powered by the Intel ULV 1.3GHz SU4100 processor and backed by 3072MB of memory and comes with a 250GB hard drive, which makes this a pretty impressive package for the price. Built around an 11.6-inch LED panel you’ll find the 1366 x 768-pixel resolution screen is clear and sharp and great for answering email, or simply just for surfing the web.
Even better is the keyboard, which is a great size for what is essentially a compact laptop. The keys have a fair degree of bounce and there is a slight flex to the keyboard as you type but the typing experience is smooth.
Less impressive with the Samsung X120 is the touchpad and mouse buttons. The touchpad is responsive but the mouse buttons have been designed to sit either side of, making it awkward to use for long period.
Verdict
The Samsung X120 offers a good deal of performance for the price and we like the solid feel of this machine. However, the awkward keyboard and mouse arrangement does kind of detract from what is otherwise a decent machine.
Best features
Decent spec for the price
Well built
Not so good
Average battery life
Awkward mouse buttons
Closest rivals
Samsung N110
This fresh update of the award winning NC10 brings with it a better screen and keyboard but still has the same knockout battery life
Dell Inspiron Mini 10
The stylish design, bright screen and good-sized keyboard make this a great all-rounder at an affordable price
Acer AOD150-1B Blue
This may not be the freshest netbook design around but the keyboard is comfortable, the battery life impressive and the specification great value for the price
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