BEST TOP 10 NETBOOK

Samsung NC10

Samsung’s first foray into the world of netbooks was largely unexpected, as the company once believed these devices were a passing fad. It’s now jumped on the bandwagon without reservation and its NC10 has become a firm favourite among mini-laptop fanatics.

Design and usability

The NC10 is the only laptop we’ve seen to use an antibacterial coating on its keyboard. By covering each button in ionised silver particles, Samsung has bestowed the NC10 with the ability to sterelise over 650 types of bacteria, so one needn’t feel guilty about using it on the loo. The NC10 also has a bright, non-glossy display, but we do take exception to its mouse trackpad, which is a little too thin and lacks multi-touch support. Its keyboard, you’ll be happy to hear, is fabulous.

Connectivity

The NC10 is fairly standard in this regard. It packs three USB ports, an SD card reader, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which is about average for this class of device. It lacks any sort of digital video output, but it’s still possible to hook up the NC10 to a big-screen display via VGA, if you so desire.

Performance and battery life

The NC10’s performance is virtually identical to the vast majority of its rivals, but that’s probably a good thing. It runs coolly, quietly and goes about its business with little fuss. It’s battery life is particularly impressive — it lasted for 5 hours 37 minutes in our intensive CPU drain test and will last as long as 7 hours with more prudent use.

Should I buy it?

We can’t find much wrong with the NC10. It may not set the world on fire with its specifications or design, but it has impressive battery life and is at least as good as its rivals in most other respects. We’ve talked to a posse of NC10 owners and they echo our sentiments — it’s an impressive piece of kit.

Places to buy: AMAZON.COM

By Cnet.co.uk