Netbook showdown: The top 10 mini laptops rated

By Derek Chesterfield on 30 October 2009, 12:48pm

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Samsung N140 £310

Samsung has a reputation for building superb netbooks. When the NC10 model first appeared, it was universally acclaimed as being among the cream of the netbook crop. The N140 proves the company hasn't lost its Midas touch.

Design and usability

The N140 isn't the slimmest netbook on the market, but it still manages to be one of the best-looking. The combination of its silver trim, glossy lid and matte finish elsewhere gives the N140 an air of class that many rivals lack.

The 10.1-inch matte display is excellent, while the trackpad and keyboard are also significantly better than those of the NC10. This time around, Samsung has managed to make the trackpad more tactile, while the keyboard is just a smidgen off full-size and sports keys with a significant amount of travel.

Connectivity

The N140 is certainly no slouch when it comes to connectivity. Along with the standard Ethernet and VGA connections, there are also three USB ports for hooking up peripherals. One of these can be used to charge external devices even when the netbook is switched off. Wireless-n Wi-Fi is also present and Samsung has added Bluetooth to this model -- something missing from its cheaper sibling, the N120.

Performance and battery life

The N140 is built around a 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor with an Intel GMA 950 graphics chip and 1GB of RAM. While its performance is nothing special, it handles most day-to-day tasks with ease. It has no problem, for example, playing full-screen, high-definition YouTube videos smoothly. It's this netbook's battery life that's perhaps its most remarkable feature, however. In Battery Eater's Classic test, it managed to keep going for a marathon 7 hours. This is especially impressive given that the battery doesn't protrude from the N140's rear.

Should I buy it?

The N140 is a great all-rounder, packing a good screen, great keyboard and exceptional battery life into a stylish package. If you're looking for an affordable netbook that can easily cope with a full day away from the mains, it's a great option.

Read our full Samsung N140 review