NetbookTech

The Samsung NC10 netbook finally gets a review treatment by the folks at PC Magazine here. You already know the NC10 is our favorite netbook here at NetbookTech.com but what do the PC Mag folks think?

“The Samsung NC10-14GB is a well-equipped netbook whose trimmings include a standard six-cell battery, but we’d like to see its price adjusted down to MSI’s and Acer’s level.”

Here are the pros listed:

“93 percent keyboard. 10-inch widescreen. Standard six-cell battery. Excellent battery-life scores.”

And the cons:

“Touchpad is small. Price could be lower.”

I agree that the price for the NC10 could be lower to better match up against the recent price drops with the MSI Wind and Acer Aspire One (with the six cell batteries of course). However, a $50 dollar difference is still palatable when you consider you’re getting a well built netbook with practically every feature you need AND you get the Samsung brand.

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PC Magazine has a new review out of the ASUS EeePC 1002HA netbook here on their website. The 1002HA has the following specifications:

• Intel Atom Processor N270
• 1GB of RAM
• 2.7 lbs
• 10.2 inch LED backlit display
• Intel GMA 950
• 160GB HDD
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• Stereo speakers
• 4 in 1 memory card reader

The real standout with the EeePC 1002HA is the finish – you have to love that “gunmetal” finish on the new system – far nicer looking than the boring white or black colors we’re seeing from many vendors these days.

Here’s the bottom line from PC Magazine:

“Its metallic finish makes the ASUS EeePC 1002HA the most attractive netbook to date, and its performance doesn’t disappoint. However, this netbook could use some help in the features department.”

A new review of the Dell Inspiron Mini 12 is out – this time from the folks at Stuff.co.nz. While there’s a lot going for the Mini 12, there’s also a couple of annoying features. The system supports a max of 1GB of RAM, has a slow, pokey hard drive, and comes with Windows Vista (not Windows XP or Linux like other models out there). Here’s a snippet from the review:

“For all that, the Inspiron Mini 12 isn’t as good as it could be.”

NotebookReview takes a look at the new HP Mini 1000 netbook here on their website. The Mini 1000 is HP’s second generation netbook featuring a larger 10.2 inch display, and the Intel Atom processor. I recently played with the Mini 1000’s keyboard and I must say, it’s quite good. Here’s what NotebookReview thinks of the Mini 1000:

“The HP Mini 1000 is a clear winner on the netbook front, offering a great design and being very user-upgrade friendly. It offers the best keyboard out of the entire netbook crowd, only matched by the earlier Mini-Note 2133 which uses the same design. “

Finally, DailyTech reviews the MSI Wind U100-483JP netbook here on their website. Here’s a snippet:

“Although the Eee PC 1000H is a solid choice for portable computing I think the MSI Wind U100 is the better pick.”

Enjoy!

The folks at the Tech Report have published a review of the ASUS N10JC-A1 netbook here on their website. The system specs include an Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, Intel GMA 950 and NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS graphics, 10.2 inch TFT display, 160GB HDD, 8in1 card reader, ExpressCard 34 slot, WiFi, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 1.3 megapixel camera. Here’s what they thought of the netbook:

“The N10J comes maddeningly close to being a useful gaming machine, but the Atom just doesn’t have the grunt to handle recent titles, making the system more of an odd chimera than an attractive ultraportable. If you’re just looking for a basic netbook, or even one for the corporate crowd, Asus’ own Eee PC 1000 series offers nearly everything you get in the N10J for much less.”

Meanwhile, I4U.com has a review of the ASUS Eee PC 1002HA netbook here on their site.  The 1002HA features an Intel Atom processor, a 10 inch display, 1GB of RAM, Windows XP Home OS, 160GB HDD, and Wi-Fi. Here’s their verdict:

“This is one of the best netbooks you can get and at $499 the 1002HA should find its way under many Christmas trees this holiday season. “

Here are the latest netbook reviews from around the web.

Top Tech News reviews the Acer Aspire One A110 netbook and finds:

“Overall, the A110 will meet the needs of users who want a quick Internet access device. It is not really meant to be your primary workstation, but if you need to use the A110 extensively for more than one hour, it would be good to install Windows XP.”

About.com has a review of the HP Mini 1035 NR netbook which is HP’s second generation netbook featuring a 10.2 inch display. Here’s what they thought of the netbook:

“The biggest problem with the HP Mini 1000 netbooks though is the ports. It is limited to just two USB ports and an SD slot. This puts it well behind offerings from other companies. Even the VGA port requires an adapter to use.”

Legit Reviews publishes a review of the ASUS Eee PC 1000HA here on their website. Here’s their verdict:

“The ASUS EEE 1000HA is a very capable netbook.  If you are looking for something with all the features and abilities of a notebook in a small and easy to use package, then this is the netbook for you. “

For a Mac user’s perspective of an ASUS Eee PC netbook, check out Peter Cohen’s hands-on look at the Eee PC 100HA system over at Macworld.com. Already convinced that Apple is “missing an opportunity by not offering Mac users a netbook”, Mr. Cohen takes the 1000HA for a spin to see “what the netbook experience is really like.”

The reviewed system comes with a 10 inch LCD display, an Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 160GB HDD. Oh yeah much to the dismay of nearly all Mac users out there, it comes with Windows XP Home.

Despite having to deal with Windows XP, Mr. Cohen has this to say about the netbook:

“The Eee 1000HA is no replacement for a full-sized laptop or a desktop computer, but as a means to check e-mail and get some light work done while you’re out and about, it’s fantastic. The Eee 1000HA gets you around town conveniently and economically—Asus’ answer to the Smart Car Fortwo”

And yes – he still remains convinced that Apple is missing out. Kudos to him!

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Here’s some ASUS N10 netbook news to start the first day of December off with. First up, a review of the N10J A1 over at CNET.com. The reviewed system has the dedicated graphics unit courtesy of the NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS GPU, an Intel Atom processor, 2GB of RAM, a 160GB SATA HDD, a 10.2 inch 1024×600 resolution display, Altec Lansing speakers, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 1.3 megapixel camera, a 6 cell Lithium Ion battery, and a fingerprint reader. Here’s their bottom line on the system:

“It may look like your standard Netbook, but the Asus N10J is unique because underneath it features discrete, switchable graphics. You’ll pay a bit more for the privilege, but the end result works for gaming on the go, as long as you don’t mind dialing down your game settings.”

Meanwhile, ASUS Japan announced that the N10JC netbook would be available in the Japanese market this December. The N10JC has the following specifications:

• Intel Atom Processor N270
• 1GB of RAM
• 10.2 inch display
• 160GB HDD
• Weight of 1.55 kg
• Windows XP Home

If you can read Japanese, feel free to read more details in their press release (via Akihabara News)

The good folks at LaptopMag have published a comprehensive head to head comparison of five 10 inch netbook systems – the Samsung NC10, the MSI Wind U100, the Lenovo IdeaPad S10, the HP Mini 1000, and the ASUS Eee PC 1000H. Comparisons were made across performance, Wi-Fi, design, screen, connectivity, keyboard/trackpad, battery life and value.

Wondering who won at the end? Well the publication chose the Samsung NC10 as the overall 10 inch netbook winner stating:

“Of these five netbooks, the Samsung NC10 came out on top in six categories–Design, Screen, Keyboard, Trackpad, Battery, Value–and got decent scores in every other area, earning its place as the best 10-inch netbook we’ve seen so far.”

Very cool – congrats Samsung – you’re late to the party but you’re rocking!

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Hot on the heels of our own un-boxing pictures of the Samsung NC10 come a new review and a new hands-on look at the new netbook. First up, a new review from the folks at PC Advisor UK who had this to say about the NC10:

“Samsung’s netbook offering may tick nearly all the same boxes as the MSI Wind, but its keen pricing and remarkable mains-free longevity make it a worthy addition to the line. The Samsung NC10 may be marginally larger, heavier and lack 802.11n but this could be the new champion of the breed.”

Next up, Mobile Computer UK has a hands-on look at the black colored version of the NC10 and I have to say.. the black version looks way cooler than the white colored version. Here’s a snippet from the hands-on:

“We can confirm that the black model is definitely better looking than the white, with the silver accents looking right at home against the matte black finish. Unsurprisingly, the gloss black lid is a finger print magnet but on the whole the black NC10 looks like it means business.”

Make sure to check out the rest of the hands-on to see several close up shots of the NC10.

If you’re looking for another perspective on the ASUS N10 netbook, check out PC World’s hands-on look at the new non-Eee PC netbook from ASUS. The system they checked out had a 3 cell battery, 160GB HDD, 1GB of RAM, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and of course Windows XP Home. Some highlights from the hands-on include:

“What stood out most about the N10, aside from its stylish casing and hefty price tag, was its larger keyboard, which includes a nice sized trackpad with left and right click buttons at the bottom of the pad.”

“Boot-up time on the N10 was not very good at about 42 seconds for Windows XP, though Asustek plans to install its Linux-embedded OS, Express Gate, on the devices to give them a start-up screen that opens in about 8 seconds”

And.. the verdict:

“Overall, I liked the N10 even more than some of the premium Eee PCs that Asustek markets. It will be a good competitor to premium netbooks that fetch higher prices.”

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