Samsung NS310 Review ( Price )

£279 inc VAT Contact • samsung.com/uk Read more • tinyurl.com/444sktx Specification 1.5GHz Intel Atom N550; Windows 7 Starter 32bit; 1GB DDR3 RAM; 250GB SATA; 10.1in (1024x600) glossy LCD screen; Intel GMA 3150; 3 x USB 2.0; 802.11b/g/n; Bluetooth 3.0; VGA; webcam; headphone and mic jacks; SD slot; 275x188x25-31mm; 1.1kg WorldBench 6 score: 37 Battery life: 221 mins

If this latest Samsung NS310 is anything to go by, the netbook has been stuck in a time warp since 2008. Rather than break free of the shackles of Microsoft and Intel that dictate its specs, Samsung has opted to trot out another Wintel netbook, pimping up the tired platform with a backlit keyboard and a lick of paint. Witness the electric-blue finish. There's nothing here that wasn't available three years ago, other than Bluetooth 3.0 and the ill-suited Windows 7 operating system (OS). The bright blue casework is rounded on every edge and corner, making it a pleasant shape to handle. And the low weight is worth noting too, at just 1.1kg. To hit that weight, though, Samsung has equipped the NS310 with a piddling 25Wh battery. This sits flush in the belly of the laptop, but it reduces its runtime. In the MobileMark 2007 battery test, the NS310 lasted less than 4 hours (221 minutes). Compare this to older Samsung netbooks that MM ^V W 54 www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review weren't such slaves to fashion and the mains charger, which could muster 9 hours from their decent-sized batteries. There has been an update to the processor, but the move from a single- to a dual-core Intel Atom CPU seems to be little more than a marketing exercise, if our benchmark results are to be believed. First-generation Atom-based netbooks tend to score around 36 points in our WorldBench 6 speed test. The Samsung scored 37 points. Don't expect dual-core boasts to supply any useful performance gains. The Samsung uses Intel's integrated graphics processor, the GMA 3150. This takes up to 256MB away from the limited 1GB of system RAM. The Samsung NS310 delivered just 2fps in our standard Fear game test. And even when we dropped the detail settings a notch, it still scored 2fps. A reduction to 'Low' let the Samsung manage 25fps. The low-resolution screen is glossy, with the usual associated reflection issues when used in daylight or under overhead lighting Verdict If you're wedded to the notion of a small under-powered netbook, the Samsung NS310 offers all the usual features, but with brighter casework and shorter battery life. SPIN If this stylish Samsung NS310 is anything to go by, the netbook has been stuck in a term aberrancy since 2008. Rather than develop unrestrained of the shackles of Microsoft and Intel that dictate its eyeglasses, Samsung has opted to version out other Wintel netbook, pimping up the careworn platform with a backlit keyboard and a touching of space. Speaker the electric-blue move. There's aught here that wasn't addressable triad period ago, additional than Bluetooth 3.0 and the ill-suited Windows 7 operative system (OS). The fulgent downcast casework is area, making it a pastoral influence to hold. And the low weight is couturier noting too, at fair 1.1kg. To hit that metric, tho', Samsung has armored the NS310 with a piddling 25Wh battery. This sits moneyed in the tumesce of the laptop, but it reduces its runtime. In the MobileMark 2007 firing try, the NS310 lasted less than 4 hours (221 minutes). Likeness this to experienced Samsung netbooks that MM ^V W 54 www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review weren't such slaves to trend and the mains charger, which could mobilisation 9 hours from their decent-sized batteries. There has been an update to the processor, but the advise from a single- to a dual-core Intel Particle CPU seems to be minuscule writer than a marketing grooming, if our standard results are to be believed. First-generation Atom-based netbooks tend to fact around 36 points in our WorldBench 6 modify experiment. The Samsung scored 37 points. Don't judge dual-core boasts to provide any expedient performance gains. The Samsung uses Intel's Prize courageous experimentation. And equal when we dropped the point settings a location, it comfort scored 2fps. A reaction to 'Low' let the Samsung care 25fps. The low-resolution display is silky, with the familiar associated image issues when misused in daylight or low foil lighting Verdict If you're wedded to the whimsy of a microscopic under-powered netbook, the Samsung NS310 offers all the accustomed features, but with brighter casework and shorter assault life.

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