NbC: Samsung N510 Review
December 31, 2009 at 10:50 am
Bottom of unit
Samsung has been quite generous by providing one large access panel on the underside. The panel can be opened with three screws allowing access to both the hard drive and RAM. This particular unit came with just 1GB RAM and 160GB HDD, so it’s nice knowing that both components can be upgraded easily if more power is needed.
Apart from the fan vents sitting at the front, you’ll notice that the speakers sit on either side of the chassis, just next to the front rubber feet.
The battery locking mechanism is the same you’ll find in countless other netbooks. We’re pleased to say that the battery slides in and out smoothly with a decent grip to make sure it is locked into place.
Much like the Samsung N120, the 6-cell battery doesn’t add to much bulk at the bottom and just sticks out in a cylindrical shape. Two rubber feet sit on either side.
Dimensions
Dimensions: 289mm x 199.5mm x 26.5~30.3mm (W x D x H)
The Samsung N510 measures 28.9cm in width, which is only 1.7cm wider than the 10-inch Samsung N120. It shows how little the difference there is in both chassis’. To give you an idea of comparison with other 10” netbooks, the Asus Eee PC 1005HA measured 26.2cm in width, the MSI Wind U115 was 26.0 cm and the Asus Eee PC 1000HE was 26.6cm in width.
The netbook has a depth of 20.0cm, this compares to 18.9cm for the Samsung N120 and 19.1cm for the Asus Eee PC 1000HE.
The Samsung N510 varies in thickness. At the back where the battery sits, the netbook is at its thickest point at 30.3mm. Amazingly this is thinner than the Asus Eee PC 1005HA (36.5mm) and 1000HE (38.1mm). It shows how much of a good job Samsung has done in keeping it as thin as possible.
When looking at these pictures, it is worth noting that the ruler does not start from zero. There is a small gap before the gradations start.
At its thinnest point, the N510 measures 26.5mm. This compares to 10-inch netbooks as follows: Asus Eee PC 1005HA (25.9mm), the MSI Wind U115 measures 19.0mm, the Samsung N120 is 20.33mm and the 1000HE is 28.5mm.
Samsung has taken a few tips from Asus in terms of its power brick. Asus netbooks use some of the smallest power bricks seen in the industry and the Samsung N510’s is only marginally bigger at 35.0mm (W) x 88.5mm (H) x 26.0mm (D). This compares against the Asus Eee PC 1005HA at 34mm (W) x 85mm (H) x 25.5mm (D).
Weight
The Samsung N510 weighed 1.424kg according to our measurements. Whilst heavier than most 10-inch netbooks, it’s similar to the Asus Eee PC 1000HE that weighed 1.45kg. It just goes to show the advances in technology even in a small space of time.
The 6-cell 5900mAh battery weighed 330g, exactly the same weight as the 5900mAh battery used in the Samsung N120 netbook.
Whilst the power brick may be of a similar size to the Asus Eee PC 1005HA it is certainly heavier at 322g. The Eee PC 1005HA weighs just 258g.
Overall the netbook + cables combined weigh 1.746kg. This makes it just 29g heavier than the Samsung N120’s total weight, although it is lighter than the Eee PC 1000HE at 1.75kg. The Asus Eee PC 1005HA is the lightest though at 1.558kg.
December 31st, 2009 11:06 PM
you should try to make your review a little more thorough- lol jk
January 5th, 2010 1:31 PM
Very nice review Tej! It certainly seems like a winner, until a newer one comes out…
One question though: For you XP is a negative while I would think it is more of a positive at is keeps cost down, less likelyhood for ‘errors’ (craches), longer batery life and the ability to run all necessary programs at the same time.
The latter referring to Windows7 starter of course.
Keep up the good work lads!
Igor
January 5th, 2010 1:50 PM
Fair points Igor. I suppose compared against the Asus Eee PC 1201N, which will come with Windows 7 Home Premium, I just felt that the N510 should be priced more keenly. Especially as both have the same recommended price, but the 1201N is also equipped with a dual-core Atom.
Personally, I have no isses with Windows XP, but when it comes to DXVA compatibility (bult-in WMP12) and likely better future driver support (just look at the situation with GMA500 drivers), Windows 7 has the edge if you’re keen on playing HD video content.
However, saying that, I had no problems in getting HD video to work in XP, you just have to know the right programs to use (a lot of people don’t!) I’m also not sure whether I’d want to suffer the battery downgrade that W7 would also bring…
January 6th, 2010 7:47 PM
Hi,
You know if the motherboard has eSata capabilities ?
I see your modd on the asus and i would like to know if it’s possible with the N510 🙂
Thanks,
January 7th, 2010 6:22 PM
XP works well. Hopefully we still get to see XP in newer netbooks to dish out HD content flawlessly, save battery life and ofcourse cost even if MS is gunning for Win7 sales. I use XP & its doing its job well & so I intend to keep it running for a long time.
Couldn’t have asked for better reviews … this is best !! We await newer model reviews from Tej. Any from CES ?
March 15th, 2011 12:32 PM
The NVIDIA chip on this is not compatible with Philips HD tvs. So if you connect it via HDMI you get video but audio stays on the N510.
Not an issue for most, but it is for me, as I bought it specifically to connect to a Philips.
March 28th, 2011 11:26 AM
The Samsung N510’s battery (Samsung aa-pb0uc3b).