Samsung NC20-21GBK 12.1-Inch Black Netbook - 6 Hour Battery
 List Price: $549.99 |
Product Details
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Product Description
Customer Reviews
Gigantic trade off between net/note books.I virtuous couldn't rationalize purchasing a 10" Netbook, the screensize is way too grudging for my taste in performing office task in Word or Excel for covet periods of time. Some say purchase both a Netbook and Notebook for different tasks, but SOME of us aren't made of readies, and would like to have one portable Net/Notebook for all their needs. I bought my NC20 nearly 6 months ago; back then there wasn't such a elephantine selection of 12" Netbooks as there is now, and at the time the NC20 was perhaps the best on the market, and I suppose it still is one of the best 12" Netbooks available.
For me the most attractive feature of the NC20 is the 1280x800 home screen resolution, the higher vertical resolution compared to other 12" 1366x768 unravelling Netbook screens is a lot more useful imo, than having a lot wider screen (though your drop may vary depending on use). I work in Microsoft Word a lot, and a higher vertical irreversibility is just more useful to see more of the page, most of the time a wider screen would scarcely go un-used. With Wi-fi turned off and the screen brightness toned down a bit (around 70% concealment brightness, very readable), the NC-20 does get the advertised 6 hours of mobile life, great for Office productivity; expect around 4 hours for violent web usage.
Having owned the NC20 for nearly 6 months now, I can't help but experience a little bit of envy for all the new, more powerful netbook configurations, such as the Consumer Ultra-low Voltage (CULV) Insides 2 Duo "Netbooks/Ultra-Portables" and other ION-powered machines. However, I'm happy with my grip, it does what I need it to do well (Office work), and is still powerful enough for everyday webrowsing and watching paragon videos on Hulu, Netflix, or Youtube. Compared to the most recent 12" Netbook releases, the NC20 is a bit underpowered, but if you can exist without streaming 720p content (it can play encoded 720p capacity from the hard-drive flawlessly, but isn't powerful enough for streaming 720p from the web), for $400 I would whole-heartedly make attractive anyone purchase the NC20!
I also have installed Windows 7 Home Premium on my NC20, and everything (namely the Aero interface) works smoothly; also Samsung has updated all their software and drivers for Windows 7 on their website.
Fair-minded Right
After many months of investigation and having my NC20 for two months, below are some points for consideration. Please keep in mind my NC20 has 1GB memory.
Pros:
1. Typing feel is phenomenal for netbook - Windows key on right side of space bar is non-issue; FN key's location is just fine
2. Battery life is as advertised - I get 5.5hrs+ constantly with light duties including word processing, surfing and an random
video; have not drained battery with watching dvd only
3. Only 3.3 pounds
4. 12.1" shelter is sharp with good contrast although colors appear to be "washed out" as some virtuoso reviews note; I could not get
used to 10" screen regardless of proposal
5. Wireless G is solid
6. Handles multiple browser pages but I don't regularly have more than three up at any one period
Cons:
1. Wireless G and not N - maybe Samsung's biggest omission
2. Trackpad can be detailed especially in low light conditions when required to "feel" vs. "look"; divoted mouse handle would be
helpful; overall size of trackpad is great however; nothing that wireless mouse won't sermon
3. Not necessarily a con as simply an adjustment - if you use NC20 as companion to more powerful laptop/desktop, it'll take some yet to get used to the limitations of the processor (I have a Dell XPS 1530 as primary laptop)
All-inclusive, my NC20 is one of the best purchases I've made. The build quality is excellent so far. The glossy colander has not been much of an issue. If you know you don't like glossy screens, don't choose this one. I also have an outside Targus dvd drive which works well. The NC20 is no longer available on Samsung's website. However it continues to be close by online and I've recently seen it at a great price...$150 off rota. Even if I paid full price, the NC20 is a perfect blend of form and function. It excels at what it's obliged to do. I will gladly trade portability for a more comfortable user experience anytime.
Chock-full Product
I bought this computer based on a re-examination in WIRED magazine. It turned out to be an excellent purchase.
Downhearted
My ultimate disappointment is with Samsung. Prior to purchasing this notebook or netbook (still don't know what to call it) I contacted Samsung sustenance to see if I would be entitled to a free of charge upgrade to Windows 7. They important me that I would be entitled. I also checked the website and there was a statement there that said "all laptops purchased between individual to dates will get the free upgrade" and then some small print. Well, once Oct 22 came along and I tried to get my upgrade Samsung said that my archetype was not eligible. That is what completely turned me off to this computer after that experience.
Otherwise the product is mediocre at choicest. The Nano processor seems to run inconsistently. I'm not sure if it's the connections I get or what. It seems slow to me. I Inamorata the keyboard. This is one of the reasons why I chose this computer. However if I had to do it over again I think I may have gotten a smaller 10.1 inch only because I like the portability. I ruminate over that if you want something this size you lose the purpose of portibility so might as well get a "real" laptop. But the entire quality is excellent.
I'm just in a bad frame of mind because I feel deceived by their (Samsung) look like of an upgrade and failure to do so. But the product is OK.
Worst Post Ever
I bought this computer and within 6 months it crashed and would no longer start up. I was told to send to producer and they gave me the wrong address to send it to. I spent 2 weeks taxing to find the computer and it ended up finally being shipped back to me. I had to repeat the entire process, had ribald people in their service center blaming me for the incorrect address and they offered nothing to quiet my frustration.
Buyer beware!
