Another New Computer!

[Ron Thorne]

Yep, we're awaiting delivery of our 3rd computer, this time one dedicated as a "travel computer" ... a Samsung NC10 netbook.

This is a truly amazing, unbelievably well-priced model which is taking the US by a quiet storm.

We still like our DELL Vostro 1500 laptop just fine, but there's always been one thing about it which we've disliked — it's weight. It weighs nearly 8 lbs. without its case.

The new Samsung weighs 2.8 lbs. by comparison. Since we're heading to Hawaii next month and to California again in September, it was time for some serious online research for something smaller & lighter, so our son Justin and I swung into action.

He almost bought this same computer last December and was totally impressed with its specs and reviews. I came to the same independent conclusion ... that there was nothing to compare with it dollar-for-dollar/feature-for-feature.

I ordered it last night, along with a 2gig memory insert, external CD/DVD burner and neoprene computer case.

Samsung specs and reviews







Another review and photos

We're getting the white version which does not show fingerprints.

Among the many features which sold us on this computer were its keyboard and 6-hour battery. It also comes with an on-board digital camera, ethernet and bluetooth connectivity.

[Ron Thorne]

If you're in the market for a fast, full-featured computer which is small, lightweight and a huge bang for the buck, this is it! Make no mistake about it.

Read the reviews, even from hardcore computer geeks and naysayers.

The dimensions:



The weight: 2.8 lbs. (including 6-cell battery)

The Total Cost for the Samsung NC10 Computer, Case Logic Neoprene Case and 2GB memory was less than $495.00 including S&H.

Oh, and there's not a lot of bloatware on it, either. The only thing which will get immediately jettisoned is a piece of anti-virus software from McAfee — Virus Scan.

[Pete C]

I'm thinking of getting a netbook, but the Acer Aspires get great reviews, and I can get what I need for $350 or less.

[Ron Thorne]

Pete, this one surpassed the Acer in several categories and is available at Amazon for $445.00 w/ FREE shipping.

It's worth a bit more cost to me for the luxury of a nearly full-size (93%) keyboard and a 6-cell battery which actually lasts as long as its rated to last — 6 hours.

You owe it to yourself to read some of the comparative reviews with Acer and Asus, another contender in this category before buying.

Don't take my word for it ... take it from many who've owned both or done testing of each.

I don't expect to have any buyer's remorse with this purchase.

For instance:

The Best of What's Around, March 3, 2009

By	M. Gottlieb (Warwick, NY USA) - See all my reviews

After exhaustive research on this site, youtube, and other sites, I decided on the Samsung NC10 in white. One essential piece of information is that the Acer Aspire One is only 2.3 lbs with the original 3-cell battery: any machine with a 6-cell is going to weigh just short of 3 lbs. The Vaio P series is the only comparable machine that's significantly lighter, and everything I read suggested it wasn't as nimble or capacious as any of these netbooks, and it's nearly 4 times the price.

So I bought it, and I've had it for a few weeks now. Here's what I've experienced so far:

Pros:
Fun, clicky keyboard
Phenomenal battery life
Decent processor speed - websites load relatively quickly
Very easy to upgrade memory to 2gb
Excellent hard drive size
Excellent connectivity - picks up all signals in range
Lightweight and compact
Built-in camera for Skype and other webcam programs
Built-in Bluetooth (though I haven't figured out how to make use of it yet)

Cons:
Screen is adequate color- and brightness-wise, but not brilliant
Mousepad is fussy - surface is not extremely responsive, and a weird icon keeps popping up that I still haven't figured out (looks like a little purple whorl)

It does exactly what I bought it to do: it's a lightweight (though not featherweight), small netbook that lasts me all day when I'm at work. I was able to load Microsoft Office through a USB-connected CD drive that I own as part of another laptop package, but if I hadn't had that I'd have tried openoffice.com.

I love the white - it kind of feels like I'm using a tiny Mac - and the chassis feels very solid and well-built. Even though it's small, I'm finding I prefer using this computer to either my desktop or my bigger laptop, but that may partly be because I have very small hands. I honestly don't know what would make me like it more than I do except maybe a screen with higher resolution and the whole package in under 2 lbs, but I have a hunch that won't be available for quite a few more years. In the meantime, it's a great little machine for an incredibly decent price. Hope this helps!

Great netbook!, February 16, 2009 By B. Schmitt "iatrikerider" (IA USA) - See all my reviews I tried an ASUS EEE netbook but was not impressed with the quality, speed and touchpad functionality. The Samsung NC10 netbook meets all of my needs. It is fast, the keyboard is easy to type on and the battery life is around 5 to 6 hours due to its 6-cell battery. It boots very quickly. I use it mostly while watching tv but its light weight and size makes yanking it out of my briefcase at the airport scanner much easier. The only small complaint I have is that the mousepad could stand to be a bit bigger as it is easy to run out of real estate when moving the cursor around. However, I do really like the scroll area on right side of the pad and the pinch function (makes font size bigger or smaller). Overall, I would highly recommend this laptop over the cheaper netbooks out there.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: Great Netbook-possibly the best available, February 16, 2009 By Tom Cuillier (6113 W. Melville Pasco, WA) - See all my reviews This is a replacement for the first netbook I purchased, an Acer Aspire One. The Acer died after 28 days. The Samsung NC10 is one amazing netbook, best I have tried. Great keyboard, fast, quiet (the Acer was very noisy), and as a bonus---NO crapware installed from the factory! I installed a 2meg RAM chip to replace the 1meg from the factory. The only fault I can find with this computer, is that the speakers have very little volume.

Note: I would also encourage you to read the 1st two reviews on this page on Amazon dot com. By the way, of 196 reviews, 150 of them are 5-star, 35 are 4-star — a first for me with that number of serious entries.

[clinthopson]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

We're getting the white version which does not show fingerprints.

Neither does black.

[Monte Smith]

Damn! Thorne's selling this harder than a Bass-o-Matic.

[Pete C]

I just need something for travel. I wouldn't use it more than 30 days a year, which is why I've hesitated buying one for over a year. I get by with internet cafes, and probably will for a while.

[Scott Dolan]

Originally Posted by clinthopson

Neither does black.

Wow, I find that hard to believe.

The material on my Dell must be something completely different because it shows fingerprints to beat the band.

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

Damn! Thorne's selling this harder than a Bass-o-Matic.

Now, that's funny!

It's not so much that I'm trying to sell this computer or anything as much as I need a diversion from the constant itching and pain I'm experiencing about 20 hours a day. Having said that, the purchase of this netbook was not predicated on that discomfort, I assure you. Our upcoming 3-week + trip to Hawaii, along with at least one other 3 week + trip this fall was the catalyst to look for something much smaller and lighter. And, as Alaskans, we still had some Permanent Fund Dividend money we'd saved for such a contingency, so ...

I'm very enthusiastic about this little machine, and would have bought it if it had been available when we were originally in the market for a laptop over a year ago.

[Scott Dolan]

How much is the PFD paying these days? Couple grand, right?

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

How much is the PFD paying these days? Couple grand, right?

There is no single answer to that question, Scott. It varies greatly, depending entirely on the profits from oil prices/sales, and there is also lag time to consider.

This year it was over $3000.00 with the $1200.00 Alaska Resources Rebate (fuel assistance program) added into the mix.

The 1st dividend in 1982 was $1000.00

The amount of the dividend is calculated by dividing the amount available for distribution from the Permanent Fund earnings account by the number of eligible applicants. The calculation is based on a statutory formula under Alaska Statute 43.23.025 and is required by law to be announced by October 1.

[Scott Dolan]

Now, do you get that individually, or do both you and your wife receive one $3000 payment?

I've always thought the concept was really cool. But then again, $3000 in Alaska certainly isn't what it would be here.

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Now, do you get that individually, or do both you and your wife receive one $3000 payment?

I've always thought the concept was really cool. But then again, $3000 in Alaska certainly isn't what it would be here.

Individually.

You're correct in thinking that $3000.00 doesn't go nearly as far here as in Missouri, for instance.

And, we still have the highest gasoline prices in the nation.

Go figure.

[Scott Dolan]

Hell, not just Mizzou. It would go much further in any of the lower 48 than it does there.

Still, it's cool you cats can benefit directly from the natural resources you're providing.

Hey, we ain't getting any kickbacks from our corn and soybeans.

[Scott Dolan]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

There is no single answer to that question, Scott. It varies greatly, depending entirely on the profits from oil prices/sales, and there is also lag time to consider.

This got me thinking, Ron.

Does this mean you'll receive considerably less next year because the price of oil has dropped so dramatically? Is that how it works?

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

This got me thinking, Ron.

Does this mean you'll receive considerably less next year because the price of oil has dropped so dramatically? Is that how it works?

Yep.

Exactly.

[Ron Thorne]

A couple of weeks ago, we decided it was time to purchase a new microwave oven, so did the research. We decided upon a Panasonic for many reasons, but didn't find the exact model we wanted in Anchorage. Amazon had it in stock and at a very good price ... with FREE shipping. What we didn't know was that they would send our new microwave via UPS 2nd Day Air. It was in use 3½ days after I ordered it. Now that's customer service!

The exact same scenario is playing out with our new Samsung netbook computer. I ordered it on March 3rd, along with a Case Logic Neoprene Sleeve for protection. That sleeve was on backorder, so we thought we'd have a wait for the order to be complete, along with the FREE shipping.

I subsequently decided to add 1gb of extra RAM to our new computer, but wasn't able to consolidate that purchase with my original computer/sleeve order.

So, I called Customer Service, and Audrey (in America) quickly took care of that, while also telling me that it looked as if the sleeve was coming back in stock by March 6th so I may get an earlier ship date.

Everything is in transit via UPS and will arrive on Monday! If tomorrow were a "business day", we'd have it then, 4 days after our order.

I love Amazon dot com!


*We're not accustomed to this kind of service in Alaska.

[clinthopson]

I agree, Amazon has outstanding customer service.

The only glitch we've had is when Donna bought me a Kindle for my birthday. Because of their backlog, it didn't arrive until last week. But they sent the K2 which is amazing.

[me wag]

Originally Posted by clinthopson

The only glitch we've had is when Donna bought me a Kindle for my birthday. Because of their backlog, it didn't arrive until last week. But they sent the K2 which is amazing.

The Kindle 2 is actually IN STOCK right now.

[Monte Smith]

Originally Posted by clinthopson

I agree, Amazon has outstanding customer service.

Five or six years ago I bought a Cuisinart food processor from Amazon. The model was being updated, so I wanted the classic unit before it got improved into shittiness. I buy it, a week later two big boxes show up on my doorstep. Amazon had sent me two. I email them about it and customer service was like, "We'd take it back, but we're not stocking that model any more. Is that a problem for you?" No, no problem. Merry Christmas for my sister.

[LennyH]

I've ordered two or 3 hundred things at Amazon over the years, I guess, and I've only ever had to contact them once about problem with an item. That's freakish.

[Scott Dolan]

Agreed.

They're a great company to do business with.

The only minor complaint I have is that sometimes they'll say something is in stock when it really isn't. So you're expecting it within the week, and then they send you an e-mail later that week telling you it's back-ordered and won't ship for another month.

No big deal, really, but it can be annoying.

[Ron Thorne]

This is my first post from my new Samsung NC10 netbook computer which arrived a couple of hours ago.

The setup was seamless and simple, the computer is absolutely elegant, and I couldn't be happier thus far. The keyboard is amazing in size and touch, exactly as described by many owners, and the screen is crisp and clear.

I'm one happy camper ... enjoying this nice diversion from more shingles crapola.

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

This is my first post from my new Samsung NC10 netbook computer which arrived a couple of hours ago.

The setup was seamless and simple, the computer is absolutely elegant, and I couldn't be happier thus far. The keyboard is amazing in size and touch, exactly as described by many owners, and the screen is crisp and clear.

I'm one happy camper ... enjoying this nice diversion from more shingles crapola.

Lord knows you need some diversions and i'm very happy you got a new one! you're whetting my appetite for one of those!!

[Monte Smith]

So Ron, you rate the Samsung NC10 as better than shingles?

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

So Ron, you rate the Samsung NC10 as better than shingles?

ouch! it's a good thing Ron has such a good sense of humor!

[Monte Smith]

I can joke because I've actually had shingles. It's not too common in youngish people, but I got it. And my sister-in-law who lives down the road a bit got it, too. My doctor says it is weirdly prevalent in this region. He called it "the Northern Virginia mystery disease." Anyway, I noticed very early that I had a weird rash and so stopped it with a round of antibiotics before any serious symptoms appeared. There can be quite serious symptoms. All in all, I'd prefer a new computer.

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

He called it "the Northern Virginia mystery disease."

Not "the Beltway itch"?

[steve(thelil)]

Five years ago my wife Jan had a bad case of shingles that was centered in her head, and most precisely in her brain and occipital nerves. It was amazingly scary because it wasn't diagnosed immediately, and she was as sick and as in pain as anybody can be. (Her mostly evil twin Diller, an endocrinologist, actually diagnosed it, after all of these high fallutin' neurologists and neurosurgeons who saw her because she was Diller's twin misdiagnosed it as the worst migraine headaches they'd ever seen).

Jan made a full recovery, but still, to this day, she has some recurring symptoms (either of the disease or of the nerve damage caused by it) from time to time, especially if she gets run down and/or does a lot of driving. As Shakespeare would say, it be some heavy shit.

[Chuck Nessa]

I had undiagnosed shingles on my head and it migrated to my left eye. It attacked the cornea and I was blinded in that eye. It took 6 months of steroids in the eye but my vision returned. Shingles in the eye hurts like hell, but I eventually learned to sleep through it.