By definition, a netbook is:
- Ultraportable, its dimensions and weight
- Ultra autonomous because of its deliberately limited performance
- Cheaper than a versatile notebook
- For office use / navigation internet / e-mail / Chat
We deduce logically that a Netbook is NOT:
- A gaming platform
- A graphical design tool
- A video editing console
incidentally: a Netbook NEVER CD-DVD player, size matters, weight, price ...
Considering these parameters, the NF310 is a VERY GOOD device:
- Measured weight including batteries: 1280g
- Real autonomy in office mode + wi-fi surfing: just over 7 hours
(We can safely consider looking after two movies while traveling by train, for example)
- Beautiful screen, excellent definition, perfect legibility, color rendering ok.
- Comfortable keyboard and well thought
- Precise Touchpad and a well measured sensitivity
- Beautiful finish
Particularly preferred the matte screen: The screens 'gloss' is very sexy, but it's useless when you have a light source behind or side!
Same goes for the touchpad: better to have a real rather than a paved area bounded by hollow on the headband as before the fact (for example) ASUS of experience, integrated Touchpads recent Asus notebook generations are unusable ( too sensitive).
Another remarkable point: the sensitivity of the Wi-Fi antenna: it captures Netbook networks in places where other (Asus, HP / Compaq, to quote them) fail to make a connection: a real plus!
And finally, the icing on the cake: superior performance to what we normally expect from a netbook.
I would take as an example the read video stream: it digests without NF315 problem of content in 720p :-)
(But not 1080p: this is not a HTPC-HD!)
In fact, the BIG black spot does not come from the device, but Windows 7 STARTER operating system that comes with.
Simply put: the computer system comes with a 'crippled' and it is almost mandatory to buy the upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium to benefit from such basic functions as customizing the wallpaper or print on a home network!
The upgrade costs 75 and my sense MANDATORY for all netbooks with Windows 7 STARTER (therefore NOTE THIS APPLIES TO ALL netbooks of all brands).
It is of course possible to find on the internet hacks to bypass the 'clamp' Microsoft, but the changes that may affect the integrity of the system or jeopardizing future updates, I do not advise to standard users to to use it.
I really find it regrettable that hardware manufacturers make accomplices of Redmond editor that allows them to view a reduced price while knowing that the consumer will have no choice but to buy the making level.
(Yes, you can also install Linux, I know ...)
Some critics, however:
- The screen, so superb as it is, has a reduced field of vision, particularly in vertical: do not hesitate to play the hinges when we change a little bit of work position for the plan of screen is always perpendicular to the line of sight (it's more complicated to read than done, I assure you)
- RAM: 1028Mo for modern hardware it is a bit stingy, but I admit that it did not bother me unduly for the use I have (office / surf / mail / video playback) .
Last detail: the look ... that's a matter of taste, but NF310 has a look that frankly apart from other equipment in category: it can please .. OR NOT! so if you have the opportunity to see the "for real" before buying, please.
