Samsung R510 review

Samsung has made a habit of building rather fine laptops.

The last three we've tested (the Q70, R700 and R60plus) all scored 4 out of 5, and the R700 even managed to pick up a Top Value award. But it's come to that time of year when all the big laptop manufacturers unleash their new ranges, so the question is, do they still make them like they used to?

A familiar jet black lid reminded us of previous Samsungs we've known and loved, and this model builds on their chiselled good looks. But, where its ancestors were housed in a combination of matt and gloss plastic that could feel a little cheap, the R510 is altogether classier. The glossy lid is complemented by a silver keyboard surround, and the attractive finish is matched by robust build quality. The whole chassis feels much more resilient.

Samsung's keyboards have always been a highlight, and the R510's is no exception. Each key has a firm, positive action that leaves you in no doubt whether you've actually pressed it, and the sturdy case means nothing bends. As a 15.4 inch laptop, the R510 isn't especially dainty, but for the occasional trip out, its 2.66 kilos won't strain you.

Inside the case is an Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 accompanied by a generous 3GB of memory (the most the standard 32-bit versions of Windows can handle) and a generous 320GB hard disk. It's a potent combination for a budget laptop, and a score of 141% in our 2D (general) benchmarks proved that paying under £500 needn't mean accepting any sluggishness in everyday tasks.

The Intel integrated graphics weren't quite so impressive, and although Intel claims a hefty speed boost for this latest GMA X4500 chipset, our Call of Duty 2 test only scored 27%. Many laptops wouldn't even manage that; the R510 will at least cope with some light gaming, as long as you turn down resolution and detail settings where needed.

Time trials

This Samsung isn't lacking in stamina. Under light use, the battery lasted just short of four and a half hours, and even when playing back a DVD it stretched to two hours and 35 minutes, comfortably enough to get through most movies.

If you're looking for the R510's Achilles heel, the most serious weak point we could find was the speakers. Few laptops are blessed with built-in audio to rival your hi-fi, but these built-in bins were particularly tinny and harsh. If you're planning on playing music or listening to the radio via the Internet, you'll want a pair of external speakers or a set of earphones.

Less disappointing, and more important, was the display. Like most budget 15.4 inch laptops, the Samsung offers a relatively low 1280x800 pixel resolution; we'd prefer a more spacious 1440x900 pixels on this size of display. Contrast was a little lacking, too. But in all honesty, we've seen much, much worse, and the brightness and good colour reproduction went a long way towards making amends for the slightly greyish blacks.

Despite these niggles, when you cast an eye around the Samsung's neat frame there's plenty to like, especially at this price. HDMI allows for easy connection to the latest monitors and HDTVs, and workaday features such as the three USB ports and SD card reader are supplemented by the bonus of a 1.3 megapixel webcam. Factor in the pleasant design and good performance, and you've got all the ingredients of a great budget laptop. At under £500 including VAT, the R510's finer qualities win the day.