Yet more Netbooks with the Samsung NC10 and Packard-Bell’s ‘dot’

by Stevie Smith - Sep 22 2008, 07:34

Netbooks, Netbooks and more Netbooks, evidently the world just can’t get enough of them. And, considering that budget-priced, ultra-mobile PC systems (UMPCs) are helping the tech industry dodge economic market dips, is it remotely surprising to see both Samsung and Packard-Bell offering up their takes on the Netbook phenomenon?

First up is Samsung’s new NC10, a predictably small, lightweight and “incredibly functional” Netbook that Samsung describes as a “stylish alternative” to devices already available in the space.

“We have been looking at the netbook market for some time to see where we could really add value for consumers.” outlined Dinesh Chand, product manager for Notebooks at Samsung Electronics UK.

“Through our extensive R&D network, we have gained a true insight into consumers’ frustrations with these products, such as small keyboards and short battery life, which has been very valuable and has allowed us to develop a product we feel fits our customers needs.”

Big words. And, with the popular ASUS Eee PC recently bagging ‘Gadget of the Year’ at the Stuff Magazine Gadget Awards, can Samsung deliver on that claim?

Available in choices of white, black and metallic blue, the NC10 weighs in at just 1.33kg and offers users a generous 10.2-inch WSVGA SuperBright Non-Gloss LED display (1024 x 600), Intel’s Atom processor, and Windows XP Home.

Beyond its slightly larger-than-the-norm display screen, the NC10 also stands out by coming complete with either an 80GB or 160GB hard disk drive (HDD), an ergonomic Anti-Bacterial keyboard that takes its inspiration from notebook PC systems, and also a six-cell battery that Samsung claims is capable of providing up to eight hours of operation.

Bolstered by its Protect-o-Edge robust casing, other features available with the NC10 include Atheros 802.11b.g wireless LAN, 10/100 Ethernet LAN, an optional Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR, an integrated Web camera, a 3-in-1 card reader, VGA connection, mic-in, headphone-out, and three USB 2.0 ports.

And the price? Expected to launch this coming October, the Samsung NC10 is likely to be attached to a price tag of around £329 GBP (approx. $600 USD).

Not wishing to choke on the dust left by the rest of the tech crowd, Packard-Bell has also unveiled its oddly titled ‘dot’ Netbook, which is set to arrive with an 8.9-inch display (1024 x 600), Intel’s Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, and the Windows XP operating system.

As with the Samsung NC10, the ‘dot’ is packed with a hefty 160GB hard drive and also a six-cell battery, which should combine to see Packard-Bell’s Netbook entry sitting at the more ‘upper tier’ end of the UMPC hardware line -- if that isn’t something of a misnomer.

Other features expected to accompany the ‘dot’ include onboard Wi-Fi, an integrated Web camera, three USB 2.0 ports, a 5-in-1 card reader, and also the option to use an integrated 3G network card.

Full regional pricing has not yet been confirmed for the ‘dot’ although current Net chatter suggests it will retail in mainland Europe for around 399 Euros (£315 GBP / $575 USD) when it arrives in November.

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