Samsung NC20
| Industry | Consumer electronics, Computer hardware |
|---|---|
| Founded | March 1, 1938 in Daegu, South Korea |
| Headquarters | Suwon , South Korea |
| Products | Electronics, including laptops and netbooks |
| Website | www |
The Samsung NC20 is a subnotebook/netbook computer developed by Samsung. When it was released (February 2009 globally, March 2009 in the U.S.), it became the first widely available netbook to incorporate the VIA Nano processor and to support the x86-64 instruction set architecture. Its display size of 12.1 inches exceeds the norm for this category of ultra-portable computers. Primary competitors include the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 and the MSI Wind U210.
Processor and memory
Equipped with a VIA Nano ULV Processor U2250, which operates between 800 MHz and 1.6 GHz, the Samsung NC20 features 1 GB of RAM by default. It contains a single RAM slot compatible with SO-DIMM modules up to a maximum of 2 GB.
This hardware configuration is capable of handling Windows 7 for typical daily tasks such as internet browsing, email, and office software use, although processor-intensive activities like playing Flash videos can challenge its performance limits.
Display
The device sports a glossy LED-backlit screen measuring 12.1 inches diagonally (307 mm) with a native resolution of 1280 × 800 pixels. For external display needs, it provides a standard VGA output port.
Keyboard and touchpad
The keyboard offers a full layout with 84 keys and an 18.5mm key pitch for comfortable typing. It is treated with anti-bacterial Silver Nano ion coating to enhance hygiene. The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures for improved navigation.
Storage
Internally, the NC20 includes a SATA hard drive with a capacity of 160 GB. Additional storage can be expanded via an SD card slot compatible with MMC, SD, and SDHC formats.
Connectivity
The NC20 features integrated LAN connectivity (10/100 MBit) through a conventional RJ45 port, alongside support for 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology. Additionally, it is equipped with three USB 2.0 interfaces.
Audio and video
Within the display bezel, a Namuga 1.3-megapixel webcam is embedded, accompanied by a built-in microphone. Combined with stereo speakers, the NC20 is capable of handling audio and video calls (for example, via Skype), though the call quality is generally average. Under dim lighting, the webcam's image quality deteriorates noticeably, becoming grainy, while the microphone tends to capture background noise and vibrations caused by hard drive activity or keystrokes.
For enhanced audio performance, the NC20 provides standard 3.5mm connectors for headphone or line-out output and external microphone or line-in input, delivering superior sound quality compared to the internal audio components.
Criticism
Certain functionalities of this laptop are not fully compatible with Linux operating systems. Video playback and microphone use receive only partial support. Connecting an external monitor under Linux is not feasible. Users have reported frequent Wi-Fi freezes when operating Ubuntu on this device.