Samsung NC10 netbook: Cheap, but in a good way

When we visited Samsung in Korea earlier this year, we asked whether it planned to release a netbook. "No" was its answer, followed by an explanation that the company was taking a wait-and-see approach. In other words, it would only release one if netbooks became a certifiable success.

Three months later, Eee PCs are still flying off the shelves, so it's no surprise to see Samsung attempt to cash in. Having both waited and seen, its effort -- the Samsung NC10 -- is a 10.2-inch device aimed squarely at the MSI Wind and Eee PC 1000.

The NC10 will have a 10.2-inch 1,024x600-pixel screen with a non-glossy finish, an Intel Atom CPU, hard drives between 80 and 160GB in capacity, and a six-cell battery promising "up to 8 hours of usage".

You also get 801.11b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a webcam, three-in-one memory card reader and a trio of USB ports. At 1.3kg, it's a little on the heavy side for a netbook, but we'll give it the benefit of the doubt until we get one in our hands.

The NC10 should be available this October from all good retailers, and some rubbish ones too, no doubt. Expect a full review soon. -Rory Reid