Lenovo Ideapad S12 (Atom) reviewed

The Lenovo Ideapad S12 is the company’s 12-inch entry into its Ideapad range of netbooks. Whilst much of the hype surrounds the ION-based S12, due later this year, the model also comes with versions powered with the Intel Atom and VIA Nano processor. Laptop Mag has the review of the Intel Atom version and overall seemed to like what they saw.

Putting it head-to-head against the current 12-inch netbook, the Samsung NC20, they found that the Samsung felt a bit sturdier and had a better design. However, they thought the Ideapad S12 benefits from its Quick Start instant-on operating system and had better audio. Regardless of the comparison, they found the S12 to have a very comfortable keyboard and a battery that was good for six hours. All of this combined, earned the Ideapad S12 an Editor’s Choice award. Check out the key review points after the jump. Read more

Samsung NC20 netbook hits US retail

We knew that the Samsung NC20 US launch had been delayed to early April, lo and behold it has now arrived. Remember the Samsung NC20 is launching exclusively through Newegg in the US for $549.99.

The US version comes with a 5900 mAh capacity battery compared to overseas models which have a 5200 mAh rated battery. The Samsung NC20 is the first netbook to support the VIA Nano CPU and comes with 1GB RAM. The black Samsung NC20 (NC20-21GBK) on Newegg’s listing features a VIA Nano (1.3Ghz) CPU, Via Chrome9 Graphics, a 12.1-inch (1280 x 800) screen, 160GB hard-disk and 6-cell battery.

Samsung NC20 US launch delayed to early April

The Samsung NC20, the 12-inch brother to the ever-popular NC10 netbook, has seen its launch delayed in the US by a few weeks. The unit was meant to launch exclusively through NewEgg.com on March 16. However, here we are on March 18 and a quick search on its site yields no results (not even a placeholder page). According to Laptop Mag, the NC20 launch has been delayed by a few weeks for reasons unknown and now expects to be out in the first week of April.

NewEgg will be exclusively selling the US version in black only for $549. It will come with a 5900 mAh capacity battery compared to overseas models which have a 5200 mAh rated battery. The Samsung NC20 is the first netbook to support the 1.6GHz VIA Nano CPU and comes with 1GB RAM.

First Samsung NC20 review appears

The Samsung NC10 has been one of the most popular and critically acclaimed netbooks on the market to date. The Samsung NC20 is its elder brother, featuring a 12.1-inch (1280 x 800) screen as opposed to the 10″ screen found in the NC10. The first review of the Samsung NC20 has appeared over at Laptap Mag, just over a week before its March 16 launch in the US. The NC20 will be the first netbook to support the 1.6GHz VIA Nano CPU, as opposed to the Intel Atom, but performance was found to be on par if not slightly better than Intels offering.

Laptop Mag’s overall verdict was four stars and found that the NC20 blurred the line between netbooks and notebooks. However, they found that the larger screen size gives a comfortable computing experience with a solid keyboard, which some users may be willing to pay extra for. It’s worth mentioning that the review is based on a Korean unit, with the main difference being that it comes with a lower capacity battery than the one shipping in the US version.

Samsung NC20 set for US launch on 16th March

The Samsung NC20, the big brother to the hugely successful NC10, is set to launch exclusively in the US through Newegg.com from 16th March. The Samsung NC20 features a 12.1″ (1280 x 800) screen as opposed to the 10″ screen found in the NC10, entering into borderline notebook category. There is no confirmation on US price right now (it is not yet listed on Newegg), however it is listed on Amazon UK at just shy of £380.

The Samsung NC20 will be the first netbook to support the 1.6GHz VIA Nano CPU and will come with 1GB Ram and a 5900-mAh battery. According to the guys over at Laptop Mag, it will come in black only. Click through to the link below to read their thoughts on the main differences over the NC10 and a short video on the NC20.

Via Laptop Blog.