Samsung N220 10.1-inch Netbook (Intel Atom N450 1.66 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM, 250 GB HDD, 6 Cell Battery, up to 11.2 Hours, Webcam, Windows 7 Starter,Green/Black)

So far have used it at home and travelling, for less than a month. Pleasantly surprised by the high screen quality and visibility even in high ambient light. I need to use Windows applications and annoyed by the startup prompts to use Hyperspace (Linux) for speed. Tried to use Skype on hotel wi-fi and it refused to work saying the computer was too slow - whether this was true, or just the wi-fi itself was slow, I don't know. Disk space is great (more than I have on the desktop at home) but also a temptation to load more into the computer than really necessary. Should be using it more as a 'briefcase' than an entire filing system. I've loaded MS Office 2007 professional and this seems to work fine, even Excel and Access over which I had heard negative comments. As for size, weight, appearance - all excellent as expected. The keyboard is a joy to use, even for my oversized fingers. The touchpad is fiddly, but the computer works fine with a standard optical USB mouse, and that sorts the problem if there's a flat surface for the mouse. The Windows 7 Starter edition that comes with the computer seems to do all I really need, though it would be nice to be able to change the wallpaper. Still more to learn, though, especially to switch off the annoying series of startup messages, and remove the various bits of free trial software that I don't need or want. All in all, though - an excellent purchase.

Product: Samsung N220 10.1-inch Netbook (Intel Atom N450 1.66 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM, 250 GB HDD, 6 Cell Battery, up to 11.2 Hours, Webcam, Windows 7 Starter,Green/Black)A smart netbook of seemingly good build quality and technical specification but with some downsides. Plus points: Portability, Smart, Ergonomic tile-type keyboard, 250gb HDD, Very good sound quality, 3 USB ports, Long lasting battery (have managed 6 hours of continuous use so far but reaching the claimed 11.2 hours is still to be achieved). On the software side the big downside (Please Note: BIG downside) is the Windows 7 Starter. A really major, comprehension beating, compromise. It is so basic and poor that it does not even have a DVD decoder so one can play their DVDs once connected to an external CD/DVD drive. I could understand these limitations if these netbooks were to be offered at a more accessible price of around £150-£200max. But, for netbooks in the entry price range of laptops this is unacceptable. Another important aspect to consider is the 1Gb memory. It is not big enough thus making the netbook very sluggish for anything else other than very simple use. I will upgrade mine to 2Gb hoping that matters will improve. By the way, there is only one memory slot which means I'll have to buy a 2Gb stick rather than a 1Gb one. So, in conclusion, the netbook did not prove to be a cheap option as anticipated, as an alternative to a laptop, considering the inevitable add-ons: Memory upgrade, External CD/DVD drive, DVD Decoder, and potential Windows upgrade to, let's say, Home Premium, bringing the total tag therefore to well over £480, which is mid-range laptop territory. If it wasn't for the Windows Starter, the 1Gb memory and single memory slot, I would have given the netbook 5 stars.PS. Samsung have included a sleeve case with the netbook, something that is not made clear on Amazon. Great shame as Amazon encourages one to buy a separate sleeve case. I did, and ended up with two!!!20/01/2013: The notebook has just had a crash and can no longer be re-booted. Just out of the blue, "BOOTMGR is missing"!! I tried everything in my technical capacity but no luck. No recovery disc was ever provided and the disc I created when first set it up, following the supplied instructions, cannot be used. I phoned up Samsung only to be reminded that my notebook was out of warrantee. In other wards, "tough luck" and had tp pay for fixing it! I claimed that it was within my rights to at least get the windows operating system for which I should be entitled to, but to no avail.

The plusses - smart looking, compact and sturdy little thing - responsive keyboard. The widescreen aspect means there is much vertical scrolling to read web pages, even hiding the taskbar means it pops up often when trying to scroll down with the unresponsive touchpad. Video from sites like Youtube was very, very jerky probably around 8 frames per second which made it impossible to watch. I appreciate its a netbook and not a notebook, so asking it to multitask may be a bridge too far, but it should be able to smoothly run streaming videos.

All the reviews I've read on here cover the main pros and cons of this netbook so there's not much point me repeating what's already been covered.What I will comment on however, is the ubiquitous complaint concerning the operation of the on/off switch. As far as I'm concerned, this is not a legitimate complaint; it's nothing more than a whinge. It does not irritate my fingers one jot and my fingers are by no means made of asbestos. If it does cause some folks irritation, then they must be operating the switch in excess of four hundred times a day.One point that I believe requires articulation is that the 2 Gig RAM upgrade is indeed essential. I've also installed full Windows 7 on mine and gotten rid of all the Samsung junk. I did this before using the machine in anger so can't comment if removing the junk ware has improved matters.Overall, great little machine at a reasonable price. Light weight so very portable and the battery life is incredible.

Brilliant little computer. Keyboard not the prettiest but it's operation is as good as any I have used. Processor is up to the job and fast enough for my needs. It has a big hard drive and 1 gig of RAM that can be upgraded to 2 gig. Touchpad has some good features and works very well. Wifi works out of the box and the built-in webcam is excellent. OS upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium but the standard Starter edition is fine for most jobs. John