Samsung N130 10.1" - Atom N270 - Win XP Home - 1 GB RAM - 160 GB HDD > Reviews (6)

The Samsung N130 is another addition to the netbook portfolio, sporting Windows 7 starter and an intel atom processor. This technology is wrapped in a sturdy, high quality chassis, which is lightweight, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.

A netbook is basically a small form laptop, which the N130 really is. The screen is vibrant at 10inches, and there is no CD/DVD drive because this type of computer is mainly designed for the networking and flash storage era. It is pre-loaded with Windows 7 starter, which is an edition of Windows 7 which has many limits, most of which are not noticed, due to the way the netbook will be used.

Features

Intel Atom 1.6Ghz processor
1GB ram
3 USB ports
Ethernet port
Wireless a/b/g adapter built in
webcam above screen
10 inch TFT screen
Multi-touch trackpad
Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics
160GB HDD
Memory card slot

Main advantages

The keyboard is comfortable and very tactile, resulting in fluid typing, and the whole build quality is excellent, with no rattling or bending plastics in sight. The Windows 7 setup process is very simple and will enable even the most new users to PC's to set up the computer correctly, connecting it to your home network in the process. The netbook cost only £200, so it is excellent value and unless there are models with higher spec in this compact form, there is no reason to spend more money. There is a selection of pre-loaded software such as Microsoft office 60 day trial, along with various samsung applications as well. The hard drive is also a reasonable size for a computer of this type, with 160GB of capacity. The multi-touch trackpad is also a neat addition, with pinch-zoom and scroll gestures available to use on programs such as web browsers and Microsoft Office. The power button is a slide mechanism instead of a traditional button, eliminating accidental presses.

Main disadvantages

The computer can be somewhat slow if too much processes are attempter at once, this can be avoided by not running too many applications at once. This is a totally normal experience for a netbook, so don't let it put you off buying this product. Some people may prefer to have a DVD drive at their side, so they may have to part with an extra £40-50 to buy an external one. The preloaded Samsung apps are sometimes an annoyance, where they are trying to ask for a response all at once. This can be avoided by disabling them from starting when Windows starts. The integrated graphics mean that most games are out of the question.

Conclusion

Overall, this is a great netbook and it is very hard to beat for it's price. The spec levels included in this computer make it a strong contender for even the higher end of netbooks, so it should definitely not be overlooked too quickly. The N130 is an excellent small form computer, which will enable productivity and a great online experience too.