Samsung N510, N130 and N140 netbooks: Hands-on photos

Good news, highly portable laptop fans. Samsung's just busted out a new N-series range of netbooks that look set to lay the proverbial smackdown on its rivals. The range consists of the 10.1-inch N130 and N140, and -- more excitingly -- the 11.6-inch, Nvidia-powered N510.

We got the chance to play around with the N510 ahead of the crowds at IFA and we're thoroughly impressed. Not because it packs an 11.6-inch screen, 16:9, 1,366x768-pixel display, or because it has an HDMI port, or an antibacterial keyboard that makes it morally okay to use while on the toilet. No, our favourite feature is the Nvidia Ion graphics chip.

Unlike the shared Intel graphics chips in the N130 and N140 (and indeed in most netbooks) Nvidia Ion gives the N510 the ability to run high-definition movies and 3D games. We tested it with a copy of Trackmania and a 1080p Blu-ray movie rip and it ran both flawlessly. If you're looking for a hyper-portable laptop that does more than just surf the Web, you'll want to cast your eyes in the N510's direction, for sheezy.

Graphics aside, the lesser-equipped N130 and N140 are similar to the N510. All three pack 1GB of RAM as standard (2GB is an option on the N130 and N510), and have either 160GB or 250GB 5,400rpm hard drives, 802.11n Wi-Fi, 10/100 LAN, Bluetooth 2.1+ EDR, three USB ports and digital webcams. Battery life on the N130, N140 and N510 are a claimed 7.5 hours, 11 hours and 7 hours respectively.

Prices are TBC, but we'll do our best to bring you a review of these devices in the near future. In the meantime, take a look through our photo gallery of the N510 to whet your appetite.