Netbook Crazy

While some netbooks are notable more difficult to increase the RAM size from 1GB, the Samsung NC10, is perhaps one of the easiest netbooks to perform the mod on. It quite literally, only requires a back panel to be removed and the RAM replaced. In order to upgrade you RAM on the NC10, you will need a Pozidriv screwdriver to remove the screw on the back, a flathead screwdriver, to assist with lifting the panel and of course your RAM. The maximum RAM size the NC10 supports is 2GB, with 1 port, so you will be replacing the 1GB stick of RAM, with a 2GB. You’ll need to have SODIMM DDR2 RAM. The most recommended RAM choice, is Crucial but, many others have had success with Kingston and PNY but, any 2GB SODIMM DDR2 RAM will work. 800MHZ RAM sticks will also work but, the NC10 will only use up to 667MHZ.

For my RAM upgrade, I’m using the PNY SODIMM DDR2 RAM, purchased from PC World. Firstly, make sure the netbook is off completely, then turn it over.

You’ll see the panel on the right side, which reads memory.

Use the pozidrive screwdriver to remove the screw and then lift the panel off. You may need to use a flathead screwdriver to assist in lifting it off.

Once off, you’ll see the 1GB RAM with a clip at the top and at the bottom. Unclip the RAM and ease it out.

Once out, you can then pop your 2GB RAM stick in.

With the RAM fully in place, you can now screw the panel back on.

I’ve found everything loads a lot quicker now. Start up and shut down times are also quicker.

With 1GB of RAM, the netbook took 1 minute and 25.1 seconds to fully boot up, with an internet connection where as with 2GB of RAM, it took 1 minute and 11.6 seconds. When it comes to shut down time, with 1GB of RAM, it took 20.3 seconds, reduced to 17.6 seconds with 2GB RAM.

Samsung will be revamping several of their netbooks, to include their own modem chipset, the Kalmia LTE. The netbooks included in the line up, include the N150, NB30 and the N220. Other specs will remain the same but, with the LTE chipset, Samsung can offer up 4G connectivity, faster than it’s 3G counterparts. There’s no official word on when these will be released but, it’s very likely that they’ll show up some time this year. However Samsung have said that they will release them “according to service schedule and market demand.” You can view the full press release from Samsung after the jump.

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Phil Newton of Samsung has confirmed that the company will be launch a netbook powered by the Google Chrome OS later this year. The netbook will feature a 10.1 inch display, 2GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD, along with 3G and WiFi built in. It’ll be very similar to the N210, pictured in the above picture. There’s also rumors going around, that it’ll feature a 1.5GHz Snapdragon processor. Hopefully we’ll hear more about this netbook soon and can confirm or deny this.

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Other stores have followed suite regarding the price of the Samsung NC10. The netbook could be found from many retailers, such as PC World and Currys for £329.99. Argos previously had the best price of £249.99 but now even Argos have reduced the price. All three of these retailers are now selling the netbook for £239.99.

Again, this is just the black model the prices apply to. From Argos you can just pick the netbook up for £239.99 but from PC World and Currys, there’s a £70 saving from them and a £20 redemption from Samsung.

Update: Argos have now started selling the NC10 for £249.99. The lower price was part of a weekly offer.

If you’re in the UK and looking for a netbook, whether as a first time machine, or to replace your exisiting model, it’s worth remembering, that other stores apart from the obvious PC World and Currys, also sell netbooks. Argos sell a few netbook models, which can be bought online or bought in store. They’re cheapest netbook is the Freedom, which has everything you’d expect from a base netbook. While the price of that is good at £199.99 what’s even better, is the price of the Samsung NC10. Argos are selling the netbook for £279.99, or £249.99 if they don’t have any 3G USB sticks in stock, which in my local store, they didn’t. This is an £80 saving over PC World and Currys who are both selling the netbook for £329.99. I also haven’t been able to find the netbook cheaper anywhere online.

Also, for a limited time only, Argos are giving away £10 gift vouchers for purchases over £100, effectively making the netbook £239.99. Only the black model is available for this price.

A netbook almost identical to the Samsung NC10 has been spotted in China by Netbook News. Externally the netbook looks the same, apart from the model number, which is listed as the ND10. Both netbooks feature a 10.2 inch display and the Intel Atom N270 processor. The ND10 however, is $50 cheaper due to one factor. The ND10 doesn’t come with an operating system installed leaving it up to consumers to grab XP, or a free operating system such as Ubuntu.

Netbook News were also able to grab a video of the ND10 which you can view after the jump.
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Samsung are to release a netbook with an ION chipset. Ion is a chipset with GeForce 9400M integrated. The Samsung N510 will also feature an Intel Atom N280 processor, 1GB of RAM, 160GB HDD. Bluetooth and WiFi N are also both in the netbook, along with a web cam and built in card reader. The screen is a bit bigger than the traditional netbook at 11.1 inches. As expected the operating system is Windows XP.

The netbook also has a VGA and HDMI port so it can be plugged into an external display. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to use both at the same time with the LCD or even without the LCD being used.

The netbook should also come with a 6 cell battery. No information on release date but it’s expected to be $600 in the US when it launches.

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