Samsung NC20 review

Samsung's NC20 is a step up in size from the award-winning NC10.

It has a 12.1in display with a 1,280x800 resolution - up from a 10in 1,024x600 screen - giving you 66 per cent more desktop space. It's also the first netbook we've seen to use Via's new Nano processor.

The Nano processors are a direct competitor to Intel's Atom range. The U2250 processor used here has roughly equivalent performance to an N270 Atom, with a variable clock speed that tops out at the same 1.6GHz. We ran our old benchmark suite and it scored almost identically. On paper, the processor has a higher power consumption than the Atom at peak performance, but lower when idling. In our power tests, the NC20 consumed more power than the NC10.

Amazingly, the NC20 managed to last for six hours and 36 minutes in our light-use battery tests. This isn't as good as the NC10's eight hours, but it's more than respectable for any netbook, let alone one with a larger than normal screen. It's certainly enough power for an afternoon away from the office, and at 1.5kg the NC20 is light enough to carry around all day.

You shouldn't worry about it getting a few knocks, because this is one of the toughest-looking netbook designs we've seen. The lid is thick enough to reduce flex in the screen, the hinge mechanism is sturdy and the rest of the NC20 feels well built. The case is finished in a satin white plastic that won't show up fingerprints, and a chrome strip around the edge adds a touch of style. Expansion ports are on either side of the case, with a row of indicator lights on the front edge.

Samsung continues to impress us with its keyboard designs, but there are some niggles. It doesn't use the full width of the case, and although the main keys are a decent size, the layout has been compromised: the backslash key has been moved from its proper place next to the left Shift key, and the Windows key is to the right of the space bar. The keys are comfortable and have a light action, but there's not quite enough travel. The touchpad is a decent enough size and uses a see-saw button, which is flush with the case but has a light action. It's set close enough to the edge of the case for your thumb to rest naturally on it.

Despite all their differences, Samsung's NC10 and NC20 feel remarkably similar to use. We would prefer to make do with the smaller screen of the NC10, gain the extra one-and-a-half hours of battery life and save £72, but if you want a netbook with a laptop-sized screen, then the NC20 is still great value. It's certainly a better buy than the similarly sized and priced Dell Mini 12, thanks to its longer battery life and superior keyboard.

Author: Barry de la Rosa