Optics / processing:
The Samsung NC20 makes outwardly a quality impression, the processing is also neat and comparable with his little brother, the NC10.
Keyboard is top notch, touchpad is compared to the NC10 really much better and more useful, since increased - a clear point that has always bothered me when NC10.
Very positive: No high-gloss piano lacquer surface but slightly roughened and yet acting quality plastic - supple feel to the touch and insensitive because you no similar marks sees.
Display:
The display, which has been criticized in the test ever for its reflective design and mediocre values in brightness and contrast, makes in my eyes but a solid impression.
The resolution of 1280 * 800 pixels is a true blessing, I personally do not want to work more with the peepholes of the 10-inch model.
The relatively poor contrast values are in direct use less noticeable than feared, the glare panel softens the impression, of course, something from.
The brightness is fully sufficient - indoors hands me a brightness setting of stage 5 of 8 completely out.
Very surprised (especially after various opinions which entitle a glare display as unsuitable for outdoor missions) I was even tried out the suitability outdoors.
In the shadow of a work is generally no problem - but even in direct sun (except obliquely or directly onto the panel) can be seen on the brightest stage quite yet realize something.
My Asus 901 (the bekanntenermaßen a very low brightness has) was there no longer be used, such as netbooks NC10 or 1000H there have of course due to the matt displays and the larger brightness in the lead.
Conclusion But: Even outdoor use of the NC20 is possible even in sun, though of course with limitations when it comes to readability.
Battery life:
In a nutshell - good but not outstanding.
The top levels of the NC10 will of course not achieved - but I would have hoped for a little more.
When set for maximum battery life (there is the Via processor underclocked) to reach at a screen brightness level of 5/8, switched on WLAN and normal Internet browsing and in parallel running Messenger 4.5 hours - one uses sound, with some pages Flash, etc. falls all off again.
Since this is already quite a power-saving scenario are the values achieved, seldom reach the 5 hours a bit meager.
Little ray of hope:
Because the NC20 uses the same battery as the NC10 can here be used in the accessory trade on a 7800mAh battery, which achieved about 50 percent more run time (of course at the expense of weight and size - is down slightly over).
Power:
Therefore one must not say much - at about the level of an atom, in some ways something fixed, in others more slowly (eg Flash applications has more difficult to fight for my sense of Via than an atom).
All in all, sufficient speed steadily almost inaudible fan.
I must honestly say that I am so far satisfied with 1GB RAM and see currently no reason to upgrade.
CONCLUSION:
No successor of an NC-10 but rather a different orientation option.
Those looking for minimal dimensions and long battery life should take the NC10 - who (like me) that in the long run simply uncomfortable display of 10-inch model is exhausting but can draw as an option on the NC20.
A total of more mature book, which in terms of size no thoroughbred netbook more, however - more of a semi-Netbook, tending to subnotebook; o)
Battery life is good, if not outstanding - but compared to a standard notebook a true blessing.
If you are looking at a price below 500 a thoroughly good book with Priority use of Office and Internet and would have no 10-inch model, can not ignore the Samsung.
More power you get only in the field of subnotebooks from Sony, IBM and co. - And there at prices that account for about 3 times the NC20.
All platforms have their place, but only those who are looking for a compact companion for everyday life, sit with the NC20 Serves excellent.