NbC: Samsung N510 Review
December 31, 2009 at 10:50 am
Keyboard
One of the advantages of an 11.6-inch netbook is the extra room in the chassis that can be used for a bigger keyboard. Samsung could have made the most of this with the N510 but instead chose to use the exact keyboard seen in the N120. You can see from the space available on the left and right edges of the keyboard that Samsung could have squeezed something larger.
One can’t begrudge Samsung too much though as the Samsung N120 was one of the widest 10-inch netbooks around due to it fitting a 97 percent sized keyboard. We also thought that the Samsung N120’s keyboard was one of the best we’ve tested. As you would therefore expect, we very much liked using the Samsung N510 keyboard. The N510 uses normal keys rather than the current trends of chiclet or flat-key keyboards.
Most of the keys are in the right place, there are two shift keys although the right shift key is quite small. Much like the N120, we also are not fond of finding the Windows key on the right side of the space bar. The arrow keys also felt a bit cramped. This meant that the assigned Fn keys were often mishit, the ‘Home’ and ‘End’ keys in particular kept tripping me up. However, it would be churlish to mark the keyboard down for this, given how solid an overall experience it provides.
The width of the keyboard alone measures 259mm and the height measures 102mm. You can see the space on the edge of the keyboard that could have been used to stretch the keyboard.
The left side of the keyboard shows no unusual button placement. Everything is where we would hope to find it. A number of shortcut Function keys sit at the top that control display brightness, audio volume, wireless activity etc.
The space bar is also a bit small, but didn’t pose a problem when typing. As can be seen, each key has a substantial width to that makes it very comfortable to touch type.
The keys measure 18mm in width and 17mm in height according to my measurements. There is also 18.5mm spacing between the keys which means errors should be kept to a minimum.
Each key offers good tactile feedback and travel that makes the keyboard comfortable to type over long periods.
The keyboard is as solid as the one found on the Samsung N120 and sees no keyboard flex, even in the middle. I found it to be one of the most comfortable keyboards to use over long periods and one of the best around.
Touchpad
Whilst the N510 keyboard is exactly the same as found in the Samsung N120 (including dimensions), the touchpad in the N510 is a bit bigger. The touchpad in the N510 measures 70mm (W) x 42mm (H) as opposed to the N120 which measured 64mm (W) x 35mm (H). Despite these improvements, we would have still preferred to see it with slightly more width, especially as the room is there.
The touchpad was responsive to the touch and offers precise control. It has a slightly resistive surface that allows your finger to easily glide across. A number of gestures are supported, including chiral-scroll, although I found this to be hit and miss.
The single rocker button placed underneath the touchpad is slightly raised. I found it comfortable to use, with the left and right buttons having just the right amount of tension to register commands.
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).