The Samsung NB30 is the first rugged netbook we’ve seen, aiming to offer the same portability and usability as regular netbooks, and adding a tougher edge. As such, the glossy plastics have gone, replaced by a totally new design. We’ve managed to get one in for review, and to find out more read on after the jump…
The Samsung NB30 features a very distinctive ribbed design, and is a complete departure from existing Samsung netbooks such as the Samsung N150. As soon as you get it out of the box, the overall feel is very plasticy, but there’s no doubt it’s tough enough in a utilitarian kind of way.
The Samsung NB30 is a regular machine when it comes to the screen size, which measures in at 10.1 inches. As with most other netbooks of this size, it features a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels, which is fine for basic use. Images are sharp, and it’s also bright enough for use in most conditions. With a matt finish to the TFT panel, it’s perfect for hiding grimy fingerprints, and also suppresses reflections well. Despite rumours of there being a touchscreen option for the Samsung NB30, our review sample proveded a regular non-touch display.
The keyboard on the Samsung NB30 offers impressive usability, but it’s not quite up to Samsung’s usual excellent standards. The keys are big enough to strike up a quick and comfortable typing rhythm, but as with the chassis itself the plastics don’t feel of a particularly high quality.
The reason for this soon becomes clear, however, as because it’s a rugged machine, the Samsung NB30 is spill resistant. This means you’ll be able to simply wipe it clean again if you spill a drink on it – making it the perfect netbook for your kids – and the no-nonsense anti-scratch plastic approach is very easy to keep clean without hiding germs.
Other rugged features include a hard drive that can detach the spindle from the disk itself, preventing the loss of your files should you drop the machine. Other features are pretty good at the Samsung NB30’s £250 price point, including Bluetooth and 802.11n Wi-Fi.
Processing power for the Samsung NB30 comes from an Intel Atom N450 solution, which is the chip finding its way into all the latest netbooks. With an integrated graphics chip on board, it promises impressive battery life, although we’ve yet to put that to the test.
Verdict
The Samsung NB30 won’t appeal to all users – the plastics feel slightly cheap, and it lacks any real design flair. If you’re looking for something a little tougher than usual, however, a machine you can throw in your bag and not have to be quite so protective over, then it could well be worth a look.
Check out the Samsung NB3o gallery:
Best features
Spill proof keyboard
Does exactly what it sets out to
Affordable
Not so good
Slightly cheap feeling
Unexciting design
Low screen resolution
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