Black Samsung NC10 now shipping, slightly cheaper

We're a little more intrigued by the VIA Nano-powered Samsung NC20, but those of you whose hearts beat rapturously for the black NC10 take note: we're told the newly-refreshed model with the biggie-sized trackpad and larger battery is now shipping to customers, and what's more, the price tag's been lowered a hair to $469 from $499. Anyone gonna bite, or are we all still waiting for the next round of netbooks together?

[Thanks, Lucas N.]

[Mike @ Mar 7th 2009 2:49AM]

I was holding out for this till I saw the asus 1000he for $374. Same specs and a fantastic keyboard for $100 less.

[Mike @ Mar 7th 2009 2:53AM]

let me rephrase--BETTER specs (n280), but if you look at the test, not really better by all that much.

[phlyingpenguin @ Mar 7th 2009 3:34AM]

As an owner of an NC10 looking at that 1000he keyboard - pish posh. It still has a TERRIBLE placement of the right shift key for no good reason and a slim question mark key. Specs aside (all of these machines are balls slow, it doesn't matter), I'd buy an NC10 again in a heartbeat because of its standard keyboard. There's little else on these machines that matters.

[KyleK @ Mar 7th 2009 7:30AM]

While the keyboard of the 1000HE is indeed better, the fact that THE WHOLE NETBOOK is glossy (except for the screen, curiously) makes it look awful and cheap.

[markhedder @ Mar 8th 2009 1:23AM]

It is also much thicker and heavier than any other netbook. You get what you pay for.

[Mark @ Mar 7th 2009 3:46AM]

What next round of netbooks? The N280 alone isn't too much of an improvement, GN40 is a ways away and Ion sounds like a pipe dream.

As an NC10 owner who got it for $375 back in November when the 1000ha was over $500, I'm still very happy with it.

I still recommend it to anyone who asks because it is simply the best netbook on the market. On laptop mag's test, the regular NC10 got 6h34m battery life and the EEE 1000he got 7h08m, probably easily bested by the NC10 SE. And the NC10 weighs 2.8 lbs to the EEE's 3.2 lbs.

[Sean @ Mar 7th 2009 6:05PM]

This is way too expensive for what you get.

[Peter @ Mar 7th 2009 3:48AM]

The first batch already shipped out several days ago and one user already has a brief preview:

http://portablemonkey.com/article/first-look-at-the-samsung-nc10-special-edition/

[Adderz @ Mar 7th 2009 4:16AM]

Im in the market for a netbook, i blew up my Powerbook today when i was tinkering with it lol.

Ive just been looking at the prices. They are bordering on ridiculous (at least in Australia)

$600 for a netbook? When i can get a full blown notebook for the same price or less?

Fair enough if they included a C2D and you know...FEATURES..but these are pretty bare bones machines with crappy processors.

Sorry i had to rant...its just annoying how expensive these bits of crap plastic are.

[Akshat @ Mar 7th 2009 5:22AM]

God, comments like yours are so absolutely ridiculous. What 'full fledged notebook' can you buy for $600 that weighs less than 3 kgs and has a 4 hr + battery life. Netbooks and 'full fledged notebooks' serve different needs. A netbook is for portability. Its a cheap ultra portable laptop. Why is that so hard to understand?

[Adderz @ Mar 7th 2009 5:30AM]

Nothing is hard to understand.

Im well aware they are meant to be portable, and are obviously more portable than notebooks. The problem i have is the price doesn not go down with them.

They use very slow processors and VERY old integrated graphics and yet charge just as much as regular notebooks.

No miniaturization of parts is needed, therefore the prices should be lower.

[Nipponese @ Mar 7th 2009 9:10AM]

Are you not aware that it has always been more expensive to shrink technology? Smaller doesn't mean materials cost goes down, it's usually the other way around. The fact that you could purchase a workable machine the size of this at such an affordable price point was unthinkable even 3 years ago.

[Adderz @ Mar 7th 2009 11:05AM]

Ah its like talking to a brick wall.

YES im aware it costs more to shrink technology. The fact is it isnt necessary with netbooks!

They arent using Core2Duos, they are using specially built crappy Atoms. They arent using x4500 graphics they are using crappy old GMA 950. They dont include a cd drive! they dont include discrete graphics! They include (usually) measly 3 cell batteries and

[Adderz @ Mar 7th 2009 11:10AM]

that is why they should be CHEAPER and not more expensive than regular notebooks.

These machines are the opposite of the Macbook Air and Sony TZ. They cost more because miniaturization IS needed.

Netbooks are barebones technology and should be cheaper than they are.

(sorry, i accidently cut off some of my comment)

[Mark @ Mar 7th 2009 2:15PM]

You're a dumbass. Up until 2007-2008, you would have paid more than $1500 for similar specs as a netbook, in the same formfactor. The only difference is they weren't called netbooks, they were called ultraportables and subnotes.

Subnotebooks have ALWAYS been slower and MUCH more expensive than regular laptops. Always. Until netbooks came along.

[Adderz @ Mar 7th 2009 8:25PM]

No your the dumbass. Netbooks are not subnotebooks. They are at the other side of the technological scale. Just compare a Sony TZ and a Asus 901 and get back to me, kay?

[Mark @ Mar 7th 2009 11:08PM]

Look dude, I wish as much as you that these things came with dual core CPUs and high res screens. But let's face reality ok. Show me any other time in history when we've had as much activity in the 3 lbs or less category at this price level. Or just show me any time in history when ultraportables haven't been in the stratosphere price-wise compared to regular notebooks.

[Neary @ Mar 8th 2009 3:11AM]

You're absolutely right Adderz - I agree with everything you're saying. Its exactly like talking to a brick wall. Most of the people responding to you here are sheep anyway, just ignore the Baaaa Baaaaa.

[Kaos,geo @ Mar 7th 2009 5:14AM]

I'm looking for a netbook.

I was eagerly awaiting for the Dell mini 10, but after reading here that it's been crippled at birth (soldered memory, difficult to updgrade HD)
I'm certainly at loss here.
I liked the looks of the NC10, specially the blue one, killer looks.

I don't actually NEED a netbook now. I'll wait 4-6 more months and if the next generation is already out, I'll snatch it.
Else, I'l get me some Samsung NC-10 in pretty-blue ;-)

[Tony @ Mar 7th 2009 5:52AM]

If you looking for a Netbook, I recommend Samsung NC10 or Asus Eee PC 1000HE. They both are true competitor.

Asus Eee PC 1000HE
http://www.bestdealsonar.com/good-and-cheap-asus-eee-pc-1000he-10-inch-long-battery-life-netbook/

Samsung NC10-11PBK
http://www.bestdealsonar.com/good-and-cheap-samsung-nc10-11pbk-102-inch-long-battery-life-netbook/

NC10 has better keyboard layout than 1000HE. NC10 weighs 2.8 lbs, 1000HE weighs 3.2 lbs. However 1000HE is almost $100 Cheaper than NC10.

[Jake @ Mar 7th 2009 6:26AM]

I've owned the HP Mini 1000, Dell Mini 9, and Asus EEE PC 1000H. The Samsung NC is the best of them all. Typing on the NC10 is MUCH EASIER than typing on the HP Mini. Also, the build quality is much better than the other three which look like toys. The NC10 is built solidly and doesn't look like a cheap toy.

[feraligatr8 @ Mar 7th 2009 6:26AM]

I don't see why this qualifies as new, My laptops specs are like just the same, HP 550. It's not that much of a "big deal"

[ruvanepa @ Mar 7th 2009 7:21AM]

i got mine for $425

http://12tb.com/lookup/PCHardware/541966/B001O94FY8/Samsung_NC10-14GBK_10.2-Inch_Netbook_(1.6_GHz_Intel_Atom_N270_Processor,_1_GB_RAM,_160_GB_Hard_Drive,_XP_Home)_Black

[propellerhead4 @ Mar 7th 2009 7:29AM]

amazon ships the same thing in 2-5 weeks for 469.. hmm

[zunq @ Mar 7th 2009 9:39AM]

Pwned. You got the old one.

[Brianyman @ Mar 7th 2009 8:19AM]

whoaa.. thats cheap

[dan @ Mar 7th 2009 9:40AM]

I just got my 1000HE a couple days ago, and it didn't take long to get used to the keyboard layout. And the processor is surprisingly responsive, except when trying to stream high quality video (which it's not meant to do anyway). My main computer is a C2Quad so I thought I'd notice this being slower. And right now my battery says 4:38 at 56% remaining. For $100 more, I don't think I could recommend the NC10.

[Zane @ Mar 7th 2009 9:53AM]

I'm STILL waiting for the smudge-free NC10SE in white. Come on Amazon, chop chop!

[Rob @ Mar 7th 2009 3:21PM]

I have the Blue NC10 and I love it, the battery life is awsome. They have just released the pink ones over here (UK) as well as the ones with a UTMS modem built in. There are always people saying that you can get a similar spec notebook for a similar price but they are missing the point, I sold my notebook to buy the netbook. I use a full sized desktop at home and only need something for web browsing, remote access, email etc. It's not designed to replace a notebook, I certainly wouldn't be using it as my only computer. If you already use a notebook as your main machines then a netbook probably isn't for you. Netbooks fill a gap that has recently appeared in the market.

[aaronx_x @ Mar 7th 2009 8:24PM]

waiting for the hp mini 2140's hd screen : (

[emptythecache @ Mar 8th 2009 11:15PM]

finally retrieved this guy (was shipped to parents house), and i love it. the 9+ hour battery life spec is NOT A LIE.

[logichoops @ Mar 30th 2009 5:07AM]

Is there going to be a UK release?