As I speculated just last week, Samsung have announced, not one, but three dual core N550 based netbooks. At last it looks like sammyfans really have something interesting to discuss.

Introducing the Samsung NF series!

Samsung NF Series Netbooks

There are three models mentioned in a press release:

• Samsung NF310 – appears to be the premium model with a 1366 x 768 “HD” screen (proper 16:9 aspect ratio) and DDR3 memory.  Apparantly it is designed to enjoy HD movies, which sounds promising for those wanting to watch HD films on the move.
• Samsung NF210 – this model appears to excel with battery life, with Samsung claiming a 14 hour run time from a 6 cell 8850mAh battery.
• Samsung NF110 – Being billed as the affordable model. This is good news as I get the impression Samsung seem to price themselves out of many people’s wish list.  Samsung make it clear in the press release that design and build quality have not been compromised.

The first three models in the range move away from the ultra thin looks of the recent N230.

Release Date

The good news is that the release date is not far off,  the NF310, NF210 and NF110 should be in stock from October in the UK and around Europe and roll out to the USA and rest of the world later.

Check out the Samsung NF110, NF210 and NF310 forum

Dual Core Samsung Netbooks Announced is a post from: Laptop News and Reviews

A press release from Intel announced the introduction of their dual core atom into our shops this week.

Although there have been no rumours (unless I’ve missed anything?) of a N550 based Samsung netbook the press release does mention that “the netbooks — available now and through the end of the year from manufacturers including Acer, ASUS, Fujitsu, Lenovo, LG, Samsung, MSI, and Toshiba”.

We know that Samsung are used to releasing a range of netbook models so we shouldn’t be surprised if we see something new shortly. Perhaps we’ll see something announced alongside the Samsung Tablet at next month’s IFA show?

You can read the press release here.

Atom N550 Netbooks

The N550 Atom chip will provide the multi tasking benefits of a dual core whilst still retaining the efficient power usage we have come to expect from these ultra portables.

Intel’s press release extols the following:

With the dual-core Intel(R) Atom(TM) processor N550, consumers can enjoy Internet access on the go with a more responsive experience in the same compact form factor, DDR3 memory support and similar great battery life as the single-core Intel(R) Atom(TM) processor N450.

Intel N550 Powered Samsung Netbooks on the way? is a post from: Laptop News and Reviews

NetbookReviews.net recently covered the new N230 netbook, giving it a glowing reference:

Up until now the Samsung N210 has been my favorite and highest recommended netbook, but this position has now been replaced by the Samsung N230.

However a follow up article might prove more useful for those confused about just what to buy!

What’s the difference between the N210 and N230?

Samsung have not done a great job of simplifying their range with an increasingly confusing naming convention – old models are being revived with a plus or pro moniker.

Check out the comparison here.

In summary, the N230 provides these extras over the N210:

• Llonger battery life (comparing 6 cell versions)
• Bluetooth 3
• Includes a sub woofer for beefier base
• N230 is nicer looking – although this is ultimately down to opinion
• The new model is noticeably slimmer and lighter

For more information on these two models, have a look here: N230 and N210

Click through below:

Samsung N220 10.1-inch Netbook (Intel Atom N450 1…. £334.99	Samsung N230 Series N230-11 10.1-Inch Netbook (Bla… Too low to display

Samsung N230 vs N210 is a post from: Laptop News and Reviews

Thanks to a tip off, it looks like we can expect some Samsung Tablet news on the 2nd September. The much anticipated Android 2.2 driven tablet is expected to be released in the second half of 2010.

How do we know news is on the way?

Check out this teaser site.

Interesting to see that is comes under the main Samsung mobile site. Hopefully this will put an end to the months of speculation and provide us with the real specs and a Galaxy Tab release date.

Tablet Discussion

I have been interested in the Tablet concept for a long time and it makes sense for me to have a punt on the Galaxy Tab in the interest of this site (I don’t consider myself a fanboy though – honest!). I hope to be one of the first UK owners so get your questions in early!

However I am keen for SammyNetbook.com to stay focused on netbooks so I hope other interested tablet fans will join me over at:

• SammyTablet
• Samsung Galaxy Tab Forum

Click through below:

Samsung N220 10.1-inch Netbook (Intel Atom N450 1…. £334.99	Samsung N230 Series N230-11 10.1-Inch Netbook (Bla… Too low to display

Samsung Galaxy Tablet to be Revealed September 2nd is a post from: Laptop News and Reviews

So it seems that world’s favourite netbook (maybe), the NC10, is back once again. This time it has got the Plus treatment. Immediately we can see that this version has the expected hardware upgrades over the original, including the newer Atom N450, superior battery life, b/g/n WiFi and a 250gb hard disk.

nDevil notes that the NC10+ is almost identical to the N150 plus, however it comes preinstalled with (the free) Microsoft Office 2010 starter edition preinstalled.

I do actually remember Samsung promising us a simplified naming strategy for 2010, but things just seem to get more complicated – I’m going to have to do some reorganising on the site!

NC10+ Specifications

According to Amazon, the specs are as follows (although remember these tend to vary so check before purchase!):

Model Name: NC10P Black
Model Number: NP-NC10-JP01UK
Operating System: Windows 7 Starter
Processor: Intel Atom Processor N450 (1.66GHz) with 512KB Cache
Main Chipset: Intel NM10
System Memory: 1GB (1 x 1GB) DDR2 800MHz
Memory Slot: 1 x Slot SODIMM
Display: 10.1” WSVGA (1024 x 600)  Non-Gloss
Graphics Processor: Intel GMA 3150 DVMT
Storage: Hard Drive 250GB
Wireless LAN: 802.11 b/g/N
Battery: 6 Cell  (4400mAh) up to 13.8 Hours
Dimensions (W x D x H mm): 264 x 188.0 x 25.3 ~ 34.7mm
Weight: 1.24kg

The NC10 plus is already available and in stock at Amazon UK for £300 (at the time of writing). Click through to read more specs and see some photos.

Click through below:

Samsung N220 10.1-inch Netbook (Intel Atom N450 1…. £334.99	Samsung N230 Series N230-11 10.1-Inch Netbook (Bla… Too low to display

NC10 Plus Available in the UK is a post from: Laptop News and Reviews

It seems everyone has an App centre these days and us netbook owners are no exception thanks to Intel.

I guess as the nice people at Intel have dominated the netbook chip scene with the Atom (where are you AMD?!) it makes sense for them to put some resource into supporting the netbook market, and who are we to complain.

This was first mentioned in our forum earlier in the year, and recently picked up a second time so it seems sensible to post it to the blog.

You can check out the Netbook App Centre here.

Have you installed anything from here? What’s good?

Intel Netbook App Centre is a post from: Laptop News and Reviews

Thanks to forum member Fidgeteer for highlighting these interesting new Pixel Qi Dual E Ink Screens.  The more adventurous among us might want to investigate swapping out your current netbook screen for one of these.

These replacement screens offer to major wins:

• They are bright and easy to read even in direct sunlight.  Each pixel in the Pixel Qi screen is mainly reflective, but still has about the same efficiency as a standard LCD when backlit, enabling you to experience a crisp image with excellent contrast and brightness in any light.
• The Pixel Qi screens consume 80% less power in the reflective mode making them a great choice for “green” applications.

How easy is it to Replace the Screen?

Pixel QI claim it is straightforward:

“Changing the screen of your netbook is easy, the process takes about 5-10 minutes using a small screwdriver. It’s simple: 2-4 screws have to be removed to allow unsnapping of the front plastic bezel. Once that step is done, removal of another few screws allows the screen to be unlatched and its cable disconnected. Next, the Pixel Qi screen is plugged in, screwed in, and the bezel snapped back in place. That’s it.”

What do the Screens look like in Action?

This YouTube video looks pretty impressive, I know my NC10 doesn’t look this clear outdoors!

Which Netbooks do the Screen work with?

So far the following have been reported as compatible:

• Samsung N130 (4.5 hours Battery Time)
• Samsung N220 Plus (13 hours Battery Time, US: N220-11B)
• Samsung NB30 (10 hours with 6 cell)

Thanks very much to Fidgeteer for highlighting this, you can check out his thread in our forum.

Have any SammyNetbook.com readers purchased one of these screens? Let us know how you got on, what do you think of it, was it easy to fit?  Any thoughts and photos gratefully received!

Pixel Qi Screen Compatible with Samsung Netbooks is a post from: Laptop News and Reviews

So the reviews for the new N230 netbook are starting to come in.

Unfortunately I don’t get to have a go on one so I’ll be sticking to rounding up other people’s reviews!

N230 owner? SammyNetbook.com has a tradition of posting up user reviews, unboxings, photos, etc. So if you care to share your thoughts on the N230 then drop me a line. My gmail.com email address is SammyNetbook

As usual, reviews will be added to the Samsung N230 wiki page. If you know of a review that we’ve missed, feel free to update the wiki!

Samsung N230 Review

This first detailed review comes via the NotebookCheck website.

For those who don’t want to read the whole in-depth article, here are a few key points:

• Slim, robust and stylish case
• Standard netbook connectivity and webcam, however Bluetooth 3.0 is present.
• Keyboard is one of the machine’s best features
• Touchpad has a pleasant matt feel but it was too easy to stray from the touch sensitive area
• The screen offers up a 1,024 x 600 resolution but an interpolation option allows a distorted looking 1,152 x 864
• Outdoor use wasn’t fantastic
• Standard netbook performance (ie don’t go expecting desktop PC power!)
• Low system noise a big positive
• Confusing battery options with both a three and six cell battery available (check with your supplier before buying!)

Conclusion

In many ways the review is positive, however NotebookCheck felt the N230 is let down by its price.   Given that the N230 doesn’t offer a whole lot more than the Samsung N220 can the extra premium be justified?

Well I guess that will be down to the buying public!  Overall they gave the N230 a score of 84%.

Have you bought an N230?  What do you make of the review?

Click through below:

Samsung N230 10.1-inch Netbook (Atom N450 1.66GHz,… £347.92	Samsung N230 Series N230-11 10.1-Inch Netbook (Bla… $379.99

Samsung N230 Review is a post from: Laptop News and Reviews

A forum member dropped by recently to ask for advise on a noisy fan on their Samsung NC10 netbook.  And thanks to a handy tip he was able to sort out his problem.

Service Your Netbook Fan

There were two DIY suggestions put forward in the forum:

• Get hold of a compressed air cleaning can suitable for electronics.  A short burst of air might help clean things up.
• A quick spray of WD40 on the fan bearings sorted out our forum poster.

If you decide to open up your netbook to get better access then do so at your own risk, this will invalidate your warranty.  If in doubt, give Samsung support a call or contact a qualified technician.

You can read the thread here.

Click through below:

Samsung N230 10.1-inch Netbook (Atom N450 1.66GHz,… £347.92	Samsung N230 Series N230-11 10.1-Inch Netbook (Bla… $379.99

How To Service Your Netbook’s Fan is a post from: Laptop News and Reviews

Netbooks these days are usually supplied with Windows 7 starter edition, however many of us have a spare XP license at home and wish to run the older operating system.

Running XP on the Samsung N210

Recently a forum user downgraded their Samsung N210 to XP and found everything ran well except for the WLAN connection.

It turned out that Samsung don’t support XP on this model, which isn’t a surprise really, but luckily another forum reader was able to come to the rescue.

If you are interested in downgrading your N210 to XP then this post will help.

Note: If you are changing operating system from the one supplied with your netbook you might have issues getting all the hardware to work.

Let us know if you up or downgrade and how well it went!

Downgrading to XP? N210 WLAN Driver is a post from: Laptop News and Reviews