Samsung's N120 netbook joins the crew, offers a full-size keyboard and 10.5 hours of juice

Samsung is really fleshing out its netbook lineup, following up the lovable N110 and N310 with the N120, another 10.1-incher, but with enough screen bezel to make room for a full 12.1-inch-style keyboard. Samsung also found enough room inside for a 6-cell battery that can muster up to 10.5 hours of runtime. There's also a 1.3 megapixel camera, 3-in-1 card reader, three USB plugs, a Bluetooth option, and Samsung made use of those wide expanses of plastic on each side of the screen to place some decent speakers. It's overall a premium offering to the N110's vanilla utility (with regular Atom internals and XP on top) but you'll have to make up your own mind on aesthetics. Both the N110 and N120 hit Europe in April, no word on price for either.

Gallery: Samsung's N120 netbook joins the crew

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

[adrian @ Mar 24th 2009 12:59PM]

Now that's pretty decent.

[OneLove @ Mar 24th 2009 1:15PM]

God! I cant keep up with all these netbook's. I don't know the difference anymore. too many!

[Alex @ Mar 24th 2009 4:53PM]

Yeah, it's decent for a netbook but I still wouldn't consider the lineup without at least a 2Ghz processor.

[Just Me @ Mar 24th 2009 1:02PM]

10 hours battery time is pretty awesome.

[Invisiblemoose @ Mar 24th 2009 3:40PM]

I run Firefox, Utorrent, and Winamp just fine on a 900mhz Duron...

[Invisiblemoose @ Mar 24th 2009 3:41PM]

...I swear I clicked reply to Homeboy... :'(

[Romesh @ Mar 24th 2009 4:42PM]

You probably did, this has happened to me twice before where its randomly put the reply under the wrong comment

[Homeboy @ Mar 24th 2009 1:03PM]

Good effort but after 2 hours or so in front of a 10 inch screen, the eyes, fingers, neck and back gets tired. Besides that, there is not enough computing power in that netbook to allow you to do heavy tasking that require battery life of that capacity. On the other hand there's no such thing as too long battery life, so this make a good companion for watching movies on while crossing the Atlantic.

But for several hours of portable computing I'd say a 12 inch screen is the minimum.

[pablito @ Mar 24th 2009 1:14PM]

" there is not enough computing power in that netbook to allow you to do heavy tasking that require battery life of that capacity"

I need internet and office. I don't plan to render Pixar movies, parse DNA code or process signals form outer space, so I have to look for a netbook with a small battery.... mmm Yes, it makes sense.

Maybe I am too old, but years ago our computers had all 1.2Ghz or les and, hey, we survived.

[Homeboy @ Mar 24th 2009 1:38PM]

pablito: But that was years ago. Today software is more demanding like FF is quite a memory hog and the same applies to iTunes, not to mention running a torrent software. Some of us use our computers for more than looking up recipe for sweet potato pie. And all software I've mentioned are typical programs along with MSN messenger and MS Word, that you are running when doing office chores just like typing up document.

Before you throw a boot at me I do own a 10.1 inch netbook and regardless if I have the AC adapter plugged in or not, I'm simply not comfortable using it for more than 2 hours. It's simply too small and uncomfortable to use for long sessions.

[chispito @ Mar 24th 2009 2:19PM]

Just because it has 10 hours of battery life doesn't mean you are supposed to use it for 10 hours in a row. I think ideally people appreciate that they can use it for longer between charges, for light, intermittent use.

[Pronounced @ Mar 27th 2009 2:58PM]

@Homeboy: you're missing the point. Netbooks were made to be small and to do not much more than internet browsing and simple computing as pablito mentioned. If you wanted more computing power, you'd go with a regular laptop or a desktop. It's unrealistic to expect to play Crysis on a netbook.

[cacadeltoro @ Mar 24th 2009 3:16PM]

itunes?!? Does ANYBODY still use i-stinkin tunes??

[NeoteriX @ Mar 24th 2009 5:15PM]

Fingers? The entire point of this model is that your fingers *don't* get tired with its full-sized keyboard.

[Platinum_Skeet @ Mar 24th 2009 1:06PM]

There's like a new netbook everyday... This niche is really growing quick...

[iamnotafish @ Mar 24th 2009 1:14PM]

I don't know why they wouldn't put in a 12.1 screen on that thing. Sure, the battery life would take a hit, but then you could use it for the whole time rather than developing some serious eyestrain on a small screen.

[Spiraling Shape @ Mar 24th 2009 1:17PM]

See the NC20

[iamnotafish @ Mar 24th 2009 1:20PM]

@ spiralling shape: Thanks! For me, that makes so much more sense than a tiny little thing I have to squint to see.

[Fanfoot @ Mar 24th 2009 6:33PM]

Completely agree. If you're going to make the stupid thing bigger, then make the screen bigger. What do I want all that bezel for? The biggest issue with netbooks today for web browsing isn't the 1.6GHz processor, which is entirely adequate for running Firefox. Its the x600 screen resolution. Do a x720 or x768 12" screen and there might be some market for this. Otherwise, the 10" netbooks (mostly) have adequate keyboards for now and adequate battery life, and will be cheaper than this. And less ugly.

[mcky @ Mar 24th 2009 1:16PM]

I am loving the features on this. I am really trying to make up my mind on a netbook. So far this is one of my first pick, Loving the battery life.

[Spiraling Shape @ Mar 24th 2009 1:19PM]

This seems like a good compromise. I'd only say that the screen should be shifted up to make it a little easier to read. Also how much does it cost? Will it be about the same as the NC10?

[NickNick @ Mar 24th 2009 1:30PM]

Its glossy screen?

aww damn

[artie @ Mar 24th 2009 1:38PM]

wooot!finally a netbook that is worth buying

[Bobby @ Mar 24th 2009 1:49PM]

A couple of days ago I decided to zero in on a super netbook which had it all - I liked the NC10 , but y'day Samsung offered NC310 and six hours later N110 and now six hours later its this super flawless N120 ( I would like to believe that the performance is that damn good as of the N110 - I got the review elsewhere & ofcourse the king who started it all NC10). I like the fact that screen size is kept at 10.1 inches and the keyboard has been optimised even more, not to forget the trackpad. This is a brilliant product mix from Samsung - I need a six hour update from Samsung - this aggressive and this co. deserves every bit of $$ that it charges as premium over other rival manufacturers. Way to go Samsung - I think the others need to sit up and weather the recession.

[zip @ Mar 24th 2009 1:53PM]

Ruined by glossy display. Just like the successor to NC10.

Apparently the majority of customers are dumb. It's shiny and looks great...when the computer is switched off.

[C.A. @ Mar 25th 2009 9:57AM]

A couple of tips: Point at the screen if you are showing someone something, don't touch it.
Wash your hands off when you eat a bunch of doritos.
Actually clean your screen with a microfiber cloth when it gets dirty instead of complaining about how bad it is.

[Matt @ Mar 24th 2009 2:03PM]

For a full-size keyboard, that's a pretty odd layout. The tilde key is next to the space bar, the windows key is on the right, the menu key is on the left, the left ctrl key is huge, and there's apparently no fn key.

[BigD145 @ Mar 24th 2009 1:59PM]

I love that bezel. It's got plenty of space to fit the cables and board of a touchscreen panel.

[Osker @ Mar 24th 2009 2:01PM]

12.1 inch screen...1.25ghz... so now the only think separating netbooks and laptops is a disk drive? >_>

[Paul @ Mar 24th 2009 2:07PM]

Before a Grama Nazi shows up with their holier than thou attitude, let me point out "three USB plugs" which we all know should be "three USB ports" or "three USB sockets". We all see it and know exactly what was meant so move quetly to the next bit.

A nice looking bit of kit but if there is room (move the speakers) why not have a larger screen? I would prefer to swap battery time for pixels.

[goatpoacher @ Mar 24th 2009 2:25PM]

I don't like the bezel all that much either

[Stin @ Mar 24th 2009 2:31PM]

Looking forward to the Acer 11.6" netbook myself.

[Mega Man @ Apr 13th 2009 3:49PM]

I just wish they would get rid of the glossy reflective screens and start using LED back-lit screens instead.

[DucatiGuy @ Mar 24th 2009 4:30PM]

not too shabby

[Joseph @ Mar 24th 2009 6:51PM]

Is it worth it to buy a netbook? Why not just buy a cheap notebook? Don't you give up a lot to save maybe a pound or so?

[ace587 @ Mar 24th 2009 7:03PM]

i like it

[artofsimplicity @ Mar 24th 2009 7:38PM]

any info on weight?

[artofsimplicity @ Mar 24th 2009 7:40PM]

any info on weight?

[Buis @ Mar 25th 2009 3:08AM]

This is NOT A NETBOOK! NetBooks have a sub-100% keyboard.

[lazeeboy @ Mar 25th 2009 4:36AM]

12" screens? might as well buy a regular laptop. i bought a netbook mainly for its portability. an 8.9" screen's sufficient enough for me.

[lazeeboy @ Mar 28th 2009 11:30AM]

oops... my bad. it's a 12" keyboard that was being discussed.

[afrogirl @ Apr 2nd 2009 1:15PM]

Any info on hard drive capabilities yet (maybe SSD or am I dreaming...)?

[gnuga @ May 5th 2009 7:34AM]

It took a while before the industry listens to the customers who demand bigger keyboard for their netbook, and Samsung is the one who answer it. More of samsung n120 netbook here

[gnuga @ May 5th 2009 7:43AM]

It took a while before the industry listens to the customers who demand bigger keyboard for their netbook, and Samsung is the one who answer it. More of samsung n120 netbook on http://www.uttamah.com/2009/samsung-n120-12gw-101-inch-netbook/