Samsung NF310-A01 Netbook

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The new Samsung bet for netbooks or ultra-portable is the NF310-A01 model that we will review in detail in our laboratories. The Korean multinational we are accustomed to quality products and always leaves the bar high for the replacement of previous models. For reference we have one of their younger siblings was analyzed by our team at the end of last year, the Samsung N140. At first glance, curvilinear design with chrome finishes and glossy surface is able to satisfy even the most demanding and reluctant users. Not far behind in terms of hardware features, its large hard drive, Intel Atom dual-core processor, 2GB RAM, Bluetooth 3.0, among other graces still am not going to not ruin the analysis, they do an excellent alternative for someone who needs high portability with great battery life. Just to tell you that we are delighted with the team, but do not worry, we will detail their shortcomings with the same firmness that will highlight your qualities. We invite you, then, to read carefully our new analysis thanks to the kind sponsorship of Samsung.

Design

The Samsung netbook NF310 is presented in a very compact box, which we receive with the team and inside a smaller box of cardboard which was the magazine. The box is minimalist, completely flat and prints of the mark and random shapes. As I said this team was no manuals or CDs, but with a small box inside the magazine. The charger has two independent parts, both ends with a velcro own, which makes it very comfortable and avoids the usual mess that occurs with other brands between them.

Nude cover netbook has a glossy finish, almost like a mirror very pleasing to the eye, the lid has the Samsung logo and nicely finished chrome. Like any product with these terminations, the NF310 is very susceptible to grease the hands and is very easy for fingerprints are recorded. You can appreciate how it reflects very clearly the ceiling lamp.And analyzing the back of the device, the first thing you notice is its massive - but not exaggerated - 6-cell battery protrudes downward and has its own rubber support. Below this is the license tag of Windows 7 Starter and other data that identify the equipment itself, a shot from the side to appreciate.


Here we can see the battery out of the computer and noticed that it is not overly large, which is appreciated. It does have a weight that is to respect, but it is logical for the number of cells inside. On the right side we have the Kensington, the RJ-45 Ethernet port, multi-flash card reader and two USB ports. While on the left side we have the connector for the charger output to monitor D-Sub, the vent, USB port and finally the audio and microphone jacks. Here you can see the back of the notebook with the battery installed. In the next image we appreciate the team opened in its full extent, enough for any daily task. You see the webcam and touchpad in its entirety.

Let's look at a detail near the touchpad. Although the photo is not fully appreciated, the surface of the touchpad is tiny endings in concentric circles, which when seen from different angles can see a nice color change and you can tell is a quality termination. For their part, the buttons are combined into a single physical key but that goes to one side or the other depending on where you press, it is not the best of qualities but delivers. Finally, the keyboard is very well done, although leagues shout inspired 'in the' Macbook, black buttons and completely straight edges. It is very pleasant to the touch.

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Technical Specifications

The details will then have the greatest responsibility for the results you see in the following pages. This model does not use the typical single-core Atom but has hit the jump to the two cores, and yes it will be noticed in the tests compared with his brother mononucleosis, N140.

Again we see how Samsung chooses to outsource, with factory themselves, paragraph hard drive to another Japanese giant Hitachi. Why? Unsolved Mysteries.

Performance


Without any calibration the display of our Samsung NF310 presents vivid and accurate. Its LED backlight helps greatly in this task, yet somehow punishes blacks. When looking at the monitor with a forward lean, as they say from the bottom up, we noticed immediately the color inversion typical of this technology where dark tones are blackened considerably. Finally, looking at the monitor from his right side also see a reversal of colors in some tones but others remain in an acceptable state, the deformation in this case is not as extreme as in the previous. Netbook just received the first thing we notice is its careful design that departs from previous models in part because of the curvature of a certain portion of the top and the bulge on the sides of the keyboard that were made to fit the closure of the screen. The weight of the equipment is correct, however you feel clearly how a large part of it comes from the battery. Once you open the notebook we find the black keyboard 'to' MacBook and color of the case in this section is to emulate the aluminum of these, very well done indeed. I should clarify that this is just my impression, from now on all opined is my sole responsibility is the possibility that never have intended to resemble anyone.

One flaw I noticed the first use of keyboard keys NF310 is that the right side are too small and difficult to use too much, I'm talking about the key "return", "Enter", "Shift" or "Shift" and keys. If we look coldly logically had to save space on some keys for it to fit it all but I would have taken space on the Left, the most annoying being accustomed to a desktop keyboard is "Shift or" Shift. " That said it is likely that someone who is accustomed to a netbook not this major drawback, I am aware that it is a common feature for all the netbooks, but it's clarification for those who are not used and come from the desktop world. Out of all the above, and leaving aside the inherent difficulty of not being accustomed to this type of keyboard is a welcome touch of the keys and the force required to press each key, I would not say it's the best keyboard I tried it on laptops but is certainly within the top 3.

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Feature:


The multi-touch trackpad is also very successful with its "pinch-to-zoom", the scroll with two fingers anywhere on the trackpad or a single finger in the right section of the surface somewhat rough and very pleasant to the touch thanks the tiny concentric circles that they had previously. It also has a chrome lip that circumscribes the entire trackpad and buttons. The latter are of sufficient quality plastic for the job but nothing outstanding. Is a button that pivots in the middle to give the right or left click. The level of the buttons is just flush with the flange so that the tightening by accident is unlikely, but not impossible.

Let the battery issue, then. Samsung advertises the battery life at 9.4 hours. Everybody knows that these numbers are always the maximum energy savings plan, no WiFi and practically in idle mode. We use the energy saving profile but with WiFi on and surfing, listening to music, playing one or two of these casual netbook comes preinstalled with the screen on 100% of the time with a brightness to 20%. Under these conditions we can attest to 5 hours and 35 minutes, but in the last 35 minutes and began to complain that he had a 10% charge. A term that leaves us conform because it is within the standard for this type of equipment. And if you're used to a notebook that hopefully lasts an hour and a half I assure you that 5 hours you'll thank forever. The team takes to load 100%, since that is almost completely discharged, exactly 2 hours and 20 minutes.

The NF310-A01 comes with a built-in function which allows it on in just 3 seconds after having passed through a low power state (like when you close the laptop lid). We can vouch for those 3 or 4 seconds, then re-start is very fast and stay asleep as you were working. Initial startup and shutdown the computer end is also very fast, making it a pleasure to use sporadically and suddenly.

Turning to the sound, the SRS system that brings integrated netbook does provide some degree surround sound, incredible as it may seem, in some speakers that are all against you. That is clearly not what gross envelope but does its job. Very interesting technology.Due to their bulky equipment battery on flat surfaces or on the knees is at an angle feature, which is no problem thanks to the wide opening angle of the screen.

Already filled in the software, the bundle would be most everyday if not for Microsoft Office 2010 Starter. What fun is this software that brings the reviled name 'Starter'?. Word and Excel as it is largely functional (I have not clear whether they can do very complex work) but has embedded a small advertising banner, advertising the same Office, not at all intrusive but sometimes disruptive due to changing images, at least not annoying pop-up every 5-10 minutes. With this version 'Starter' is then possible to digitally purchase the full version of either the version for students or for home and business with a substantial discount on the version sold in the Microsoft website.

We are now a swamp with the operating system. Although Windows 7 Starter brings no limitation Vista Starter caveman had to allow only 3 windows open at the same time, it has other more hidden constraints, which have the most obvious lack of Aero and the inability to change the background screen, however ridiculous it sounds. Thus the price of equipment (CLP $ 300,000 in department stores, this is approximately $ 625) one would expect a more complete system, however, we can not close our eyes and we must be aware that a license more expensive the price of would be higher. In everyday use, and no need to change the wallpaper, nor note that the team has installed a Starter version, never claimed anything for installed software and you can have more than 3 windows open without problems. In addition to this being a very basic version is inherently less resource consumption and therefore less battery consumption. And if someone have to look ugly to be licensed by Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic so expensive.

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Conclusion:

If anything, we do know is that Samsung is on the right track, at least in the netbook market, launching excellent products and is able to keep reinventing itself year after year better than previous models. This time is no exception, the NF310-A01 is a team that does not have to envy anything in a notebook the same price range, moreover, has many things that others would want it. If the N140 exceeded the NC10, the current model surpasses its predecessors in a fair but not too far, better or for worse next year should present a much more powerful tug is the industry's manufacturers of computer equipment . The reason for performance / battery life is equally correct.

I am not mistaken in asserting that much at this point the average user looking for a good netbook screen resolution, the 1024 x 600 is now obsolete, people ask for more, and Samsung in this case meets its customers with this resolution of 1366 × 768 (slightly higher at 720p resolution). And with that feature this netbook is a winner in our eyes and that of any average user. It is expected to become the de facto standard from now on. Among the weaknesses we have the button on the touchpad and use a starter, now of just hearing the word anyone would produce urticaria.

The Good:

• Attractive and high quality finishes
• Glossy finish
• Good battery life
• 1366 x 768 resolution, which is in itself an advantage for such a small screen
• Keyboard and touchpad quality and comfort
• Software Bundle better than average if we play and Office 2010 Starter

The Bad:

• Starter Windows 7, although the price range is hard to qualify for a better license, Shall industry to adapt and not the user
• The glossy finish is both an advantage and a disadvantage, the disadvantage is that it is a magnet for fingerprints, dust and scratches
• Arrangement and size of keys inconvenient for someone used to a desktop keyboard
• Trackpad button can be better, too weak and vague