Samsung shows off netbook ahead of October launch

We already caught a brief glimpse of Samsung's first netbook offering, but it looks like the company is now fully on board the bandwagon du jour, with it releasing some official photos and a few more specs of the still-unnamed netbook ahead of the promised October launch. This one is apparently a 10.2-inch model, and will pack the usual Atom N270 processor, along with a standard hard drive of unspecified size (no word on an SSD option), a 6-cell battery, and Windows XP for an OS, among other standard features. No official word on a price just yet, but Samsung tells What Laptop that it'll be in keeping with other similar offerings on the market, and that it'll be available in your choice of white, black or blue.

Update: Looks like those remaining specs aren't much of a mystery any more. According to Pocketables, you can expect to get 1GB of RAM as standard, along with your choice of 80, 120, or 160GB hard drives, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, and a 3-in-1 card reader, all in a 2.9-pound package. Still no official word on a price just yet, but it looks like it'll sell for the local equivalent of $550 in Korea.

[Thanks, techiefan777]

[Hellaphunt @ Sep 11th 2008 11:19AM]

And with this, we have now saturated the netbook market.

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 11th 2008 11:23AM]

My lungs have already adapted to them as a replacement for air.

[Patriks7 @ Sep 11th 2008 11:31AM]

well first of all look at all the other laptops being sold
u can say the same thing about those

[Hellaphunt @ Sep 11th 2008 11:43AM]

True...

[OneLove @ Sep 11th 2008 11:53AM]

Yes, please close the coffin on the netbook mania!...unless someone releases an atom, 1GB memory, 80GB HDD, bluetooth, wifi equipped netbook for under $300.

[OneLove @ Sep 11th 2008 11:55AM]

...on second thought how about an atom equipped Q1 ultra? Pretty please?

[Fanfoot @ Sep 11th 2008 1:14PM]

Agreed.

Why doesn't anybody innovate in this space?

A slightly larger SSD maybe. Or bluetooth? Or a trackpoint? Or good speakers? Or an LED backlit display? Or a slightly thinner profile? Or an N-cell battery where N != 3,4, or 6? Or a slot-load DVD? Or Windows XP Pro? Or a quick boot option to play music and look at photos? Or 802.11n? Or a different graphics processor? Or built-in 3G? Or a borderless screen?

Somebody should build an ultrathin netbook with like 12GB of SSD and an LED backlit display.

Somebody should build a fully spec'd netbook with a slot-load DVD and a bunch of the other stuff.

Both of these could push price points higher. If you don't do anything different, don't plan to sell your stuff for over $399!

[Major4Play @ Sep 11th 2008 1:26PM]

Market saturation means that they don't sell very well, Netbooks are in fact selling very well indeed, which is why the world and his dog are bringing out their own versions.

You are just sick of reading about them, that is not saturation because you don't really matter.
Just don't click the link to read the story and certainly don't bother to comment.

[chop @ Sep 11th 2008 2:16PM]

"Why doesn't anybody innovate in this space?

A slightly larger SSD maybe. Or bluetooth? Or a trackpoint? Or good speakers? Or an LED backlit display? Or a slightly thinner profile? Or an N-cell battery where N != 3,4, or 6? Or a slot-load DVD? Or Windows XP Pro? Or a quick boot option to play music and look at photos? Or 802.11n? Or a different graphics processor? Or built-in 3G? Or a borderless screen?"

um almost all netbooks come with bluetooth, and an LED backlight LCD, the asus 1000h comes with 802.11n, the lenovo s10 has a built in expresscard, most of the netbooks come with an option for linux with ~15sec boot times, and some even boast dobly digital certified speakers.

although i do mostly agree with your point. all these netbooks are very similar, but for me since im in the market for one, design will win me over, at first it was the wind, now this samsung looks thin and has the design i had in mind. might be canceling my lenovo s10 order to grab this if it truly does hit by october

[Fanfoot @ Sep 11th 2008 4:38PM]

Agreed, price and design are going to dominate here since they're otherwise largely the same.

Personally I like the Lenovo S10 the best at the moment, though of course they're as unavailable as the original Winds. It has the sucky right shift key, and I haven't seen a review that discussed how loud the speakers can play (I just want to be able to watch a movie on the thing, it doesn't have to be crazy loud, just loud enough that I can follow the dialog).

Acer is great on price, but probably screen is too small and apparently speakers are anemic. Wind used to be great but now apparently sucks. Asus Eee 1000h seems to be pretty nice, but big and heavy and expensive doesn't win here. Does have bluetooth though. But still has that crappy right shift key. The Dell is great on servicability, ok on price, looks like a horrible keyboard though.

News flash: the correct keyboard layout has been found folks, and it involves shifting the cursor pad down a row rather than compromising the right shift key size. Noted? Ok.

[Micanos @ Sep 11th 2008 11:22AM]

sweet

[Sean @ Sep 11th 2008 11:28AM]

Jeebus, it's a good time to be Intel.

[burriot_avatar @ Sep 11th 2008 11:30AM]

It's so hard to decide what netbook I want cuz they're all the same. Throw some different bits or something in there Samsung.

[j.d.ripper @ Sep 11th 2008 3:40PM]

Get the Aspire One. It's cheaper, that's differentiating factor worth some attention, no ?

[burriot_avatar @ Sep 11th 2008 4:56PM]

I was liking the MSI Wind but it's pretty much sold out everywhere. I'm 99.9% sure they'll all work identically.

[iTunes iPod @ Sep 11th 2008 11:35AM]

yupp thats not copying anybodys design...

[Sean @ Sep 11th 2008 11:41AM]

Yep. First time anyone has copied anyone's design.
Ever.

[Andrew @ Sep 11th 2008 11:41AM]

Wow, the keyboard looks like it's done PROPERLY.. The arrow keys are there, yet the right shift is a FULL SIZED. None of that 1/3rd sized crap that's on a lot of the netbooks now. The more competition, the merrier!

[Dubb @ Sep 11th 2008 11:45AM]

Exactly, and Samsung makes great stuff.

[ilh @ Sep 11th 2008 11:54AM]

I would have agreed until I saw the puny American style return key. If they've managed to keep the cursor keys and right shift like that on the UK version then well done to them.

[Dubb @ Sep 11th 2008 12:18PM]

@ilh
Why do you need an enter key the same size as your country? Are you just that accustomed to it?

Is it really that hard to hit a key that is the same shape as the Shift key?

[Mario @ Sep 11th 2008 1:57PM]

Agreed, it's a very nice keyboard.

As to the layout, as a Brit, I'd quite be quite happy if English language keyboards were standardized to the American layout. As long as Ctrl as the first key on the bottom row is standardized too.

[Dubb @ Sep 11th 2008 11:44AM]

Nice, a proper right shift key. So now we have Samsung, MSI, Acer and HP doing the right thing with the shift key.

[GeorgeJ @ Sep 11th 2008 11:45AM]

Right now we have a "Desktop category" of computers and every manufacturer has a model and many variations out for consumers...

Right now we have a "Laptop category" of computers and every manufacturer has a model and many variations out for consumers...

Why are people always complaining that the "Netbook category" is "saturated"... like every other category there are many manufacturers with many models... the netbook category is a NEW opportunity that every manufacturer wants to get in... just like any other category... This is just the beginning so all the netbooks are going to be the same yes, but as time goes on the netbook category in the future will be were the laptop category is today probably and there will be more distinguishable features on the netbook for each manufacturer...

[abib @ Sep 11th 2008 12:19PM]

just like saturated fat, the more the better.

[Skyride @ Sep 11th 2008 12:21PM]

"Why are people always complaining that the "Netbook category" is "saturated"... "

For this reason:

"and every manufacturer has a model and many variations out for consumers..."

Because there are virtually no variations, a 2" variation in screen size and occasionally a 120 or 160GB is not notable.

Also, the fact every 2nd post engadget posts is about a netbook. The other small percentage is something about the current latest fad, be it DSLR's, MP3 players, TV's, etc,,,

[sn0zc0r3 @ Sep 11th 2008 11:54AM]

Wow, this is exactly what I've been looking for at last. As long as they can throw a linux OS on it to drive the price down more (commmmmmmmmmon $399), I'm completely sold.

[Alan Mozqueda @ Sep 11th 2008 12:09PM]

Check this:

http://www.fayerwayer.com/2008/09/nb105-la-netbook-de-toshiba/

Pantalla de 8.9 pulgadas con tecnología LED, procesador Intel Atom a 1.6Ghz, gráficos integrados Intel GMA950, 1GB de RAM, Wi-Fi, disco duro de 120GB, webcam integrada y Windows XP.

La NB105 estará disponible a partir de la primer semana de noviembre en México, aunque el precio aún no lo han definido.

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 11th 2008 12:21PM]

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd72/suriyasiero/553px-Lol_que.jpg

[Fanfoot @ Sep 11th 2008 1:06PM]

Not even out yet and the right shift key size kills it. Next!

[SlipperyPete @ Sep 11th 2008 12:17PM]

Hm. Somehow that reminds me of something. Whatever could it be?

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 11th 2008 12:22PM]

iPhone

[Brian @ Sep 11th 2008 12:22PM]

Maybe Samsung can join the ranks of ASUS, releasing products on their scheduled release date. I guess that's the bar we all wish netbook manufacturers could aim for.

[Mark @ Sep 11th 2008 12:36PM]

The biggest problem with this netbook is that it won't be available in the US, thanks to a deal that Samsung inked with Dell a while back. This is why you can't buy Samsung notebooks in the US except for from dynamism.

[Where @ Sep 11th 2008 1:14PM]

Where are all the Apple fanboys ? I thought they would be here already. lol

[Yem @ Sep 11th 2008 1:37PM]

When are the dual-core models due?

[samwho? @ Sep 11th 2008 2:21PM]

i must say, samsuck has surely out done itself this time! USA all the way! GO generic brands!
honestly, i really like my wireless notebook...bought it for .79 (USD) at a dollar general store down the street! :D yes it is the ONLY "wireless" notebook out there that i could ever want!
requires NO batteries!!!!!!!
memory and space is only limited to your imagination!!!!
you can listen to any and all the songs you like and build a play list while talking to someone or a group of people!!!
it requires NO internet connection as it is ALWAYS on whenever you are near it!!

[m @ Sep 11th 2008 8:29PM]

samwho, 4 words:
say no to drugs.

[burriot_avatar @ Sep 11th 2008 4:57PM]

@Skyride

What engadget are you reading? All I've seen for the past couple days is iPod postings.

[mooo23 @ Sep 11th 2008 6:48PM]

i think there is a BIG untapped market out there for a 12in Netbook for under $400 i know Dell annouced one but i doubt they're gonna do it since they just annouced a higher end 12in notebook.

i tihnk, price wise, this is very doable because i see the AAO 512mb, 3 cell (linux) for $299. all they need to add is the extra 3in of cost for the lcd screen , others (plastic case, keybaord) do not cost that much in mass production

yes crappy specs, but it fits my needs and if i see a company annouce this, i would excited isntead of saying "ohh, not another one".

wouldnt u?

DO YOU HEAR ME ACER?? DELL?? MSI?? ANYONE??

[GeorgeJ @ Sep 11th 2008 11:24PM]

This could be the upcoming dell 12"...

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.204-8424.aspx

emailed this to Engadget earlier...