Samsung NC20: 12inch VIA Nano powered ultraportable

[stmok]

Its a review...
http://www.laptopmag.com/review/lapt...sung-nc20.aspx

Specs can be seen here...
http://www.laptopmag.com/review/lapt...spx?mode=specs

According to this article:

* CPU is VIA Nano U2250 1.3Ghz => Performs like a Atom 1.6Ghz

* IGP is VIA Chrome9 HC3 => Performs about 2x better in 3DMark03/3DMark06 against i945 IGP. (Don't expect Nvidia IGP performance.)

* As its similar in overall performance like current Atom based solutions; it can do 720p, but not 1080p. (I suspect the reviewer didn't use a playback app, or video clip with a compatible codec to VIA's IGP...It can accelerated MPEG-2, MPEG-4, VC1 and DiVX only).

* Runs cooler than a C7-M based solution.

Overall, its an ultraportable with the performance of a netbook.

[BeerCow]

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=354077
Battery life seems to be good, supposedly lasting 4hrs for some guy on max performance setting

Edit: Woops looks like I should have posted that first part elsewhere time to move it out XD didn't notice the extra boards which appeared after registering >_>

[stmok]

Review
http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/16773

Specs

Processor: Via Nano ULV U2250 1.3GHz with 800MHz FSB
Memory: 1GB DDR2-667 (1 DIMM)
Chipset: Via VX800
Graphics: Via Chrome9 HC3 IGP
Display: 12.1" TFT with WVGA (1280x800) resolution and LED backlight
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint M HM160HI 160GB 2.5" 5400RPM hard drive
Audio: Stereo HD audio via Realtek codec
Ports: 3x USB 2.0, 1x VGA, 1x 10/100 Ethernet, 1x analog headphone output, 1x analog microphone input
Expansion slots: 1x SD/SDHC/MMC,
Communications: 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
Input devices: Keyboard (97% of full size), Trackpad, Internal microphone
Camera: 1.3 megapixel webcam
Dimensions: 11.5" x 8.5" x 1.2" (292 mm x 216 mm x 30 mm)
Weight: 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)
Battery: 6-cell Li-Ion 5900 mAh

According to the article...

The Nano ULV U2250 is rated at 1.3GHz, or you may see it listed as a "1.3GHz+" processor. Via and Samsung aren't being slippery here so much as modest: the Nano CPU in our NC20 runs almost exclusively at 1.5GHz. Via says the processor will drop down to 1.3GHz as needed to keep itself cool, which conjures visions of the "Turbo" mode in the Core i7. Some clock speed beyond what's rated is available but not guaranteed. So far, though, I've not been able to get our NC20's processor to dip below 1.5GHz when active, even while running a Prime95 torture test.

Speed is 1.5Ghz max and 800Mhz idle. Although listed as 1GB RAM, it can use 2GB RAM modules.

Article compares it to an Athlon Neo MV-40 1.6GHz and Atom N270 1.6GHz based systems.

Our performance tests showed us Via's Nano processor can be a viable alternative to the Atom in this space, as well. Our earlier comparison of the Atom and Nano in low-end desktops had raised our hopes that the Nano might outperform the Atom generally, but in its de-tuned mobile form, the Nano largely matches the Atom rather than beats it. Not that there's anything wrong with that. With a proper mobile hard drive rather than a slow SSD, the NC20 feels just as fast as any competent PC in regular use.

Its IGP performance is below average. (Worse than Intel's IGP in real life games).

[jamiemao]

nice, is this the first netbook with a via?

[stmok]

Originally Posted by jamiemao

nice, is this the first netbook with a via?

Nope. There is a generic brand Hong Kong one with similar specs. But they don't have the marketing power to cover the world like Samsung has.

[jlccarv]

this seems like a great low-powered ultraportable. wonder how many $

[BeerCow]

<$1k if I remember right, and thats if you import from UK

[Dunhill_BKK]

I just picked up a US NC20, with the beefier battery, and I'm getting more than 6 hours on max battery setting. It starts off saying over 7 hours when at 100 percent, but I'm not sure that I'm getting that much, but I've not been using it constantly yet.

It's a very nice machine. I'm going to upgrade the RAM to 2 GB before I leave the US as they are cheap as chips here.

[dark_link101]

Originally Posted by Dunhill_BKK

I just picked up a US NC20, with the beefier battery, and I'm getting more than 6 hours on max battery setting. It starts off saying over 7 hours when at 100 percent, but I'm not sure that I'm getting that much, but I've not been using it constantly yet.

It's a very nice machine. I'm going to upgrade the RAM to 2 GB before I leave the US as they are cheap as chips here.

could you please enlighten us of how do you think it runs? like its rpbobably good for like office 2k7 etc.? looking for a light one for uni perhaps
how does the processor compare in your opinion

[Dunhill_BKK]

I'm not sure about windows 2007, I've opted for open office, and other open source alternatives.

I've upgraded to 2GB RAM, and I've noticed some improvement in the graphics display, which seem right considering the way it uses RAM.

I'd think that the battery life, weight and keyboard size would be the best aspects of the machine for mobile use.

With wifi turned off I am getting over 6 hours. With wifi I'm getting around 5 hours. That's a pretty good day of computing at uni.

The processor is good enough for most things. I've got a 2-D strategy game (AGEOD American Civil War) installed, and during turn resolution the fan starts up, but the turns process relatively quickly. That's probably the most I'm going to work this machine. I've got a desktop for any serious statistics-type processing.

I'm disappointed at the AUS pricing, and I'm just lucky to have been able to purchase one while in the US on a trip. I saved a couple hundred. Even the RAM was half the price of that here.

[AndyRoo]

I have a mother-in-law in the USA at the moment, have recommended she get one of these, will it plug in ok here (isn't the USA 110V?) and will she need an adapter to plug into our wall sockets? Any help would be appreciated

[DJ_Hippster]

Originally Posted by AndyRoo

I have a mother-in-law in the USA at the moment, have recommended she get one of these, will it plug in ok here (isn't the USA 110V?) and will she need an adapter to plug into our wall sockets? Any help would be appreciated

As with nearly all switchmode PSU's with laptops these days, they are all capable of 110/240v all you may need is either a different wall socket plug, or a small converter which simply makes the straight pins of the USA plug into the bent pins we have here in AUS.

There is a very slim chance it will be different, but you can read it on the power pack it should say 110~240v 50~60Hz.

[AndyRoo]

Cheers for that , just wanted a bit of confirmation. Have read that the NC10 uses the standard figure 8 type cord, so assume the NC20 would be the same - although assuming is a dangerous thing

[Dunhill_BKK]

There is no problem with switching plug ends.

I picked up the cloverleaf plug (with an Aussie powerpoint end) from Jaycar for 7 bucks. I plugged this straight into the transformer and all was good. It's been good for more than a week now.

I've kept the US version for trips back to the US.

[Oosh]

Originally Posted by Dunhill_BKK

I just picked up a US NC20, with the beefier battery, and I'm getting more than 6 hours on max battery setting. It starts off saying over 7 hours when at 100 percent, but I'm not sure that I'm getting that much, but I've not been using it constantly yet.

It's a very nice machine. I'm going to upgrade the RAM to 2 GB before I leave the US as they are cheap as chips here.

I'm leaning towards picking one of these up for the fiancée, she just needs music/web/word functionality, care to report back how you've found it in the last few months?