Samsung SF310 Laptop Review

Samsung SF310 Laptop review: This 13.3in laptop sports a uniquely curvy design, good battery life and Nvidia's switchable Optimus graphics. Samsung delivers the first of its newly redesigned laptops, the visually striking and curvaceous SF310. Samsung's latest ultra-portable laptop looks gorgeous and has good battery life, yet we're still not totally taken with it.


Powerful Processing: The SF310 has a state-of-the-art Intel® Core™ i5 processor with Hyper-Threading Technology. The Samsung SF310 notebook series delivers one-of-a-kind style and performance for those always on-the-go.

Samsung N150 Laptop Review

The Samsung N150 is the latest miniature notebook that promises an improved battery life and basic computing on the cheap. Good looks, strong sound, and a sleep mode that uses very little power make this premium netbook a solid choice. he Samsung N150 is a 10in netbook with a thin profile and it weighs only 1.25kg. It runs Windows 7 Starter.

The Samsung N150 is among the first netbooks to use the new Intel Atom N450 chip. Delivering high style while ensuring you have less to carry whie staying within your budget, the Samsung N150 netbook PC in black features a 10.1-inch.

Samsung Series 3 11.6” Screen Laptop $350 at Staples next Week

Promotion of this deal is jumping the gun a bit, but it’s good enough to warrant.  Next week Staples will be selling the Samsung Series 3 11.6” screen laptop with a Core i3 processor for $349.99.  The price is set to drop from $699 to $349.99 on December 18th (Sunday).  The specs on this laptop are as follows:

Screen: 11.6" LED HD screen (1366×768 pixels resolution)Processor: 1.30GHz Intel Core i3-2357M processorStorage: 320GB SATA hard drive, 5400RPMMemory: 4GB DDR3 SDRAMGraphics: Intel GMA HD graphicsOS: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit OSSoftware: Microsoft Office Home and Student 2010 preinstalled with product key for activation includedWireless: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n built-in, Bluetooth 3.0Ports & Slots: 4-in-1 memory card slot: SD, SDHC, SDCX, MMC, (3) USB 2.0 ports, VGA port, HDMI port, headphone/microphone combo jack, Gigabit EthernetBattery: 4-cell 4000mAh Lithium-Ion batteryDimensions: 10.9” (W) x 7.9” (H) x 0.87-1.04” (D)Weight: 2.84lbs

Furthermore, Staples has a trade in your old laptop for $100 program.  Basically, if you trade in a clunker of a laptop you get a further $100 off any laptop that’s regularly priced $599 or above in the form of a $100 Visa Prepaid Card.  Since this Samsung is currently $699 it qualifies, even though the price will drop to $349.99.  But wait, that’s not all (I feel like an As Seen on TV Marketer).  You also get a free Microsoft Office Home and Student product key with this purchase, that’s about a $70 value if you don’t want it and prefer to sell the product key on eBay.

The laptop itself is well designed and has great specs for its size.  At only 2.84lbs you’ll barely notice the weight in your backpack and it’s very thin at 1.04”.  Samsung has a great reputation in the laptop industry for making durable and portable laptops, so it’s not like you’re buying an ugly budget laptop for cheap here, it’s a premium design machine.  There will probably be a lot of demand for this when it goes on sale, so you might want to try and get to Staples early when the sale hits on Sunday.

Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates.

Samsung Chromebook In Stock at Amazon.co.uk

If you were wondering when the Series 5 Samsung Chromebook was going to be available to buy then you’ll be pleased to hear that it is in stock at Amazon UK.

Choose between the cheaper WiFi version of the 3G model.

The Chromebook is the new Google powered ultra portable PC from Samsung, ideal for those that spend their lives online! Not so good if you need to run Windows software!

The Series 5 has already been released in the US, head over to Amazon.com if you are on the other side of the Atlantic.

We’d love to hear from you:

Share a mini review with us, post in our Chromebook forum or get in touch if you want to post to this blogGot any photos?  Add them to our Flickr group.Ordered one? Let us know why you wanted it!You might be interested in:

Further Reading:

How to Disassemble the Samsung Chromebook

If you are the kind of person who can’t wait to get inside their new Samsung Chromebook then this “tear down” will be of great interest to you!

The guys over at iFixit have managed to get hold of a Chromebook and what’s more they’ve taken the thing apart!

If you are keen to check out the internals or want to learn how to replace the battery of the Series 5 Chromebook then you’ ll want to read their article carefully.

Obviously opening up your notebook will result in the invalidation of the warranty and is not recommended.  However if you are prepared to take on the risk yourself then iFixit gave the Series 5 Chromebook a score of 6 out of 10 for repairability.

They list the following points:

SSD, Wi-Fi, and WWAN, and most other components are individual modules that can be replaced independentlyDisplay is very easy to removeMostly-plastic construction feels a little cheapRAM is not replaceableBattery cannot be removed without opening the case

The last two points may well be off putting for a number of potential owners, but several brands, Apple in particular, have never been good at allowing self upgrades – it hasn’t held them back!

Opened up your Chromebook?  Made some mods?  We’d love to hear from you in our Chromebook forum!

Further Reading:

Tagged as: Chromebook, hacks and mods

Samsung NS310 Available in the UK

The Samsung NS310 was first seen way back in Jan. Those with a good memory will remember that this model is essentially an update to the old N310 Go Netbook.

If you are in the market for one of these, the good news is that they are filtering out into the shops!

I’ve spotted the NS310 in a snazzy blue colour over at John Lewis.

The NS310 is powered by a 1.5 GHz Intel Atom N550 dual core cpu and comes with the standard 1GB of DDR3 memory, 250GB disk, and a 10.1 inch screen. The backlit keyboard is also worth a mention, looks cool and handy in the dark!

This netbook comes with a 3 cell battery with a quoted battery life of “up to 5hrs”. If battery life is key for you then this a different model might be worth a look.

That said, the NS310 is clearly aimed at those that want a great looking and uniquely styled netbook. Just like it’s predecessor, this update appeals on looks.

The NS310 has also been spied over in Italy, but no news on US availability, please post in our forum or below if you spot it!

Specifications are subject to regional variation:

Processor: Intel Atom N550 dual coreRam: 1GB DDR3 PC3-5300Display: 10.1 “LED backlit, 1024x600px, 200nitsStorage: HDD 250 GB SATA 5,400 rpmVideo Card: Intel GMA 3150 IGP Chip Webcam: 0.3 MPNetworking: 10/100 Ethernet LAN, 802.11n WLAN, Bluetooth PANPorts: 3 x USB 2.0, VGA, RJ45Expansion: SD Memory Card Reader, MMCBattery: 3-cell 2300mAhDimensions: 2.53 x 27.5 x 18.75 cmWeight: 1.3 kg

Looking to buy one in the UK?  Check out John Lewis.

Further Reading:

Tagged as: Samsung Go

Pre-Order Samsung Chromebook US

Just got an email from Amazon.com informing us that the Series 5 is now up for pre-order:

Samsung Series 5 Wi-Fi Chromebook (Titan Silver) is now available to order from Amazon

Amazon list the following specs:

Processor: 1.66 GHz Intel Atom dual-core N570 processorStorage: 16 GB solid-state drive (SSD)System Memory: 2 GBCommunications: Wireless-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n)Ports: Two USB 2.0, 4-in-1 memory card reader (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC)Video out: VGA (via optional dongle)Audio: Built-in stereo speakers, combo headphone/microphone jackBattery: 6-cell battery for up to 8.5 hours of useWebcam: 1-megapixel

 Currently listed up for $429.99, and expected to be released on June 15th.  The Chromebook is the new Google Chrome OS powered notebook from Samsung which promises 10 second boot times and superior security.

If you buy pre-order one please let us know, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the Series 5 in our Chromebook forum!

You might be interested in:

Further Reading:

Tagged as: Chromebook

Solar Powered Netbook: Samsung NC215S

The Samsung netbook line has been a bit quiet recently, but the new Samsung NC215S is definitely attracting some attention!

The NC215S is the first solar powered netbook to hit the market and will surely become a big hit for any travellers looking for an ultra light netbook to stuff in a back pack.

Thanks to a forum member for bringing this one to my attention.

According to the Samsung press release, the solar panels are capable of providing one hour of use from two hours of sunlight.  Which sounds pretty good going to me.

The claim is that you’ll be able to run the netbook for 14 hours continuously in ideal conditions.

Unfortunately, living in the UK, I am unlikely to see this for myself!  Summer has been a bit of a washout so far.

Everything under the hood seems to be fairly standard netbook affair, so the real interest here is the unique power system.

Specifications may vary between regions so always check with your supplier before purchase. However we reckon you’ll find the following inside a new NC215S:

Operating system: Windows ® 7 StarterCPU: Atom N570 or N455 (1,66 GHz)Display: 10.1-inch (1024 x 600) SuperBright LEDMemory: 1 GB DDR3Graphics chip: Intel GMA 3150Hard disk: 250 GB (5400 rev / min)Battery: 6-cell (40 W)Dimensions: 259 x 179,5 x 23,6 ~ 35,8 mmWeight: 1.3 kg

This model is due for release in the US, Africa and Russia.  No news on UK availability.  It is thought to go on sale in the US on July 3rd costing $399.

Tagged as: Solar Powered Netbooks

Pre-Order Samsung NC215S at Amazon.com

If you liked the idea of the travel friendly solar powered netbook from Samsung then you’ll be pleased to hear that it is now up for pre-order over at Amazon

Check it out via this link.

The NC215S netbook is listed up with the following specifications:

Intel ATOM Processor N570802.11bg/n WiFI, 10/100 LAN, BT V3.0 High Speed1 GB DDR3250GB. 5400 rpmSize (LWH): 10.2 inches, 7.07 inches, 0.93 inchesWeight: 2.87 poundsWindows 7 Starter

Specs may vary between regions.

Note:  The NP-NC110-A03US is essentially the same model without the solar panels, check it out here.

Do you own one of these netbooks?  We’d love to here from you!  Let us know why you like the solar powered concept and where you plan to take your new ultra portable. Surely this is the best netbook for backpackers?

Comment below or post in our netbook forum.

via Netbook News

Further Reading:

Tagged as: Solar Powered Netbooks

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Everything You Need to Know

Samsung’s answer to the Apple iPad had finally hit the shelves.

We’ve seen smaller tablets from Samsung before but this is a 10? model – a direct competitor to Apple’s benchmark device.

This post is a great starting point for anyone who wants to know all about the new Tab 10.1

If you want to add anything, post in the comments, add it to our Samsung wiki, or join our tablet forum.

Samsung have built a pick-up-and-go tablet that is slim, light weight and easy to use.  The Tab 10.1 is a Honeycomb powered device, this means it uses Google’s Android 3.1 operating system designed specifically for tablets.  It is powered by a dual core chip running off a 7000mAh battery that provides about 9 hours of real usage according to reviews.

All in all this tablet is perfectly positioned to become the leading Android tablet on the market.

Check out this video from Samsung for a good look at what the Tab can do:

Any new tablet that hits the market is going to be compared to the Apple iPad series. Thanks to Apple’s marketing skills their products are elevated to benchmark status without really being compared to the competition.

It’s not my place to say which one you’ll like best, but if you are trying to compare tablets then here are some points to consider:

Android OS is a more flexible environment, however Apple’s more controlled environment may prevent incompatibilities and mishapsBoth systems have a tonne of available apps, neither will have any problem connecting to social networks, collecting email, playing games, etcThe Tab is lighter (by 36g) and thinner (by 2mm)Samsung’s tablet edges out ahead on specs: more ram, slightly bigger screen, higher res cameras, GPS on the WiFi model, four-way accelerometer, higher capacity batterySamsung have gone out of the way to ensure the new Tab is a little superior to its main competitor in all directions.  However where the Tab 10.1 and iPad2 are priced the same, I still expect the average consumer to pick the Apple, but I suspect the price of the Samsung tablet will fall after the initial release making it much more attractive.For a more detailed comparison, check here.

The new Tab 10.1 has been released here in the UK and is available to buy around the world.

Got one, going to buy one?  Let us know in our tablet forum.  Doing the research for this post has definitely got me seriously considering on of these…!!

You might be interested in:

Further Reading:

Pre-Order Samsung Chromebook UK

Following on from the news that the Samsung Chromebook is on sale in the US, it looks like it is listed up on Amazon.co.uk too!

Check it out here.

If you want to pre-order the Samsung Chromebook in the UK, head over to Amazon and you can be one of the first UK owners!

Note, there are actually two versions available to buy:

WiFi - For access to WiFi hotspots (£350)3G - For access to the mobile phone networks (£399)

Not sure what to make of the price,  when compared to netbooks I think that the Chromebook does offer more for your money in terms of hardware, but one would hope a Windowless machine could be sold a little cheaper. 

For £400 you can get some well specced Windows powered notebooks, and from there you can install any OS you prefer.  That said, your average budget notebook won’t compete with the Series 5's slick looks, quality screen and fast boot times.

At this price I’d consider buying one, knock another £50 off and I’d be jumping on it!

Amazon suggest a Chromebook release date of 1st July.

Bought one?

If you do get hold of one of these, please get in touch.  We’d love to hear your thoughts, see some pics and find out what the Series 5 is really capable of!  Head over to our chromebook forum now!

You might be interested in:

Further Reading:

Tagged as: Chromebook

Samsung Chromebook Unboxing and Preview

I always think you have to be kinda geeky to want to watch an unboxing but this little video from Liliputing will give you a great impression of what to expect from the new Series 5 Samsung Chromebook.

Definitely worth a flick through if you want to get a good idea of just how smart, light and compact this 12? Samsung notebook really is.

Got any thoughts, join the chat in the Chromebook forum area.

You might be interested in:

Further Reading:

All About the Samsung 3 Series

Samsung have added a number of new additions to their notebook range.

The 3 Series can be thought of as a mainstream notebook line, for those of us that haven’t got the budget for the gorgeous looking Series 9 or lack interest in niche products such as the Series 5 Chromebook.

Let’s take a look at the two new models:

Samsung Series 3 NP300U1A-A1US

First up we have the 11.6? NP300 notebook.  This model features a 1366 x 768 pixel display and a 1.2 GHz Intel Pentium 957 dual core processor.

It has the usual range of connectivity, including 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, and Gigabit Ethernet. The laptop has 3 USB 2.0 ports and comes with a 6 cell battery.

Samsung Series 3 NP350U2B-A1US 

The NP350 is larger and faster.  The laptop has a 12.5 inch, 1366 x 768 pixel matte display, powered by a 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5-2410M dual core processor, 4GB of DDR3 memory and a 500GB hard drive.

These models will cost you more than a traditional netbook, but the larger size and greater power will justify the cost.  And at just over one kilo they are still ultra portable.

Currently the Series 3 is available at Amazon.com in the US.  I haven’t seen either the NP300 or the NP350 here in the UK yet.  Please let us know if you have seen one!

If you own one of these, please let us know what you think in our notebook forum area.

You might be interested in:

Further Reading: