
I was very skeptical at first to invest in a "netbook" given the limited power specs since I have been used to using power desktops/notebooks but this little guy has proved me wrong. As I haven't performed extensive usage of this product, so far it hasn't let me down.
The first generation of netbooks was apparently a real let-down according to another computer guy. However after a year, I began seeing their use in the school atmosphere and thought it would be extremely useful to invest in such. I have tried using all other brands of netbooks but none really seemed to fit my criteria than the Samsung in terms of specs and feel. I will narrow down the pros and cons...
Pros:
- Keyboard keys are nicely laid out and doesn't take much to press the keys...97% size of original...so that the keys are big enough that I can type normal without many mistakes compared to the smaller version of keyboards out there on netbooks
- Screen resolution is "tighter" than most others out there, 1366 x 768, allowing me to see more
- The power cord is approx. 8ft. long which makes it convenient not to have to be on top of an outlet when wanting to use it on battery.
- Battery life is very good on Samsung Optimal Settings allow for ~4 1/2 to ~5 hours of battery life (normal conditions)
- Very decent sound for a netbook
- 2 Gigs of RAM which is essential for running Win7 as currently I'm using ~50% in normal conditions
- The touch pad responds very nicely and smooth to my touch, unlike some I've tried on other brands
- The USEFUL bundled software that Samsung provides to optimize the netbook and backup software as well
- The powerful-than-Intel's graphics is a plus...haven't tested the HDMI output as of yet...
Cons (some are not directed towards the netbook):
- Given the smaller size to be a "netbook", the clicker is small, which is not a con against the book at all but it is an annoyance as I have more trouble with the clicker than I do the keys...
- Samsung is apparently another company that likes to install BLOATWARE that comes pre-installed on the computer. First thing I did was uninstall some stupid games like "Alice Greenfinger" and others. Also software like McAfee (takes much system resources to run and it's useless compared to other anti-malware (i.e. Vipre) and firewall protections (i.e. Zonealarm) that exist that are so much better). Also Cyberlink DVD suite...
- I would have liked a latch to keep the lid closed. I do alot of traveling (as I'm sure others do) with this thing and would like the extra feature like my other laptop does.
- Kind of disappointed that after paying $600 for this little guy that I got a cheezy neoprene flap-jacket for protecting it when a few other colleagues of mine paid ~$350 for their N150 with a better quality neoprene bag with a zipper...I guess I'm just disappointed and jealous since I expected equal or better for paying almost double.
- (Against Samsung) I spent a week trying to figure out why searching for N510-13P there is only N510-4B out there to buy. I know that they are the same model but I don't understand the misinformation between Samsung and some sellers saying N510-13P and you get a N510-4B.
- This day-and-age, you still don't get your Windows 7 installation disk even though you pay for it. I know that it lowers cost of materials thus lower price but I would still prefer having access to a Windows 7 disk if something was to happen to my hard drive...regardless if backup is on the OTHER partition. I actually plan on swapping out hard drive for an SSD drive...now I have to find a way to transfer out a copy of my partition...what a headache!
There is a review out there that complained about the battery sliding out when you try to drag the book towards you. However, this can be avoided if you actually read the instructions and realize that there IS a battery-locking mechanism to keep the battery from doing such.
I use this netbook for application productivity means (Office 2007 and the like), the Internet (of course), but also web development and application development as well when at school or on the go...so so far, it has done well in its job to serve...
Some pros and cons listed are of my PERSONAL OPINION...but the details are still presented so now it is your job to take from it what you will and make your own conclusions...Get more detail about
Samsung N510 Series Netbook (Black).