New Samsung NB30

hi,

Does anyone have this netbook yet? It is the first rugged-built netbook.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...c=OTC-Froogle-_-Netbooks-_-SAMSUNG-_-34131061


(This image is from liliputing.com)

I like the matte-screen and apparent build quality but other than that, it has typical features of a netbook.
I wonder how the cooling is so maybe we can overclock the N450 a little bit? I'm not sure if the RAM is upgradable either. I hope someone can answer my questions!

 

You can find out more by reading the NB30 user manual.

This shows that it uses the Atom CPU (model not specified); the Intel NM10 Express chipset and has Intel GMA3150 graphics. The manual shows a single user access RAM slot and it uses DDR2 SODIMM. It is unclear whether there is any other RAM. Therefore 2GB may be the limit unless you are feeling rich (and also if the chipset supports 4GB modules).

The user manual makes no mention of the NB30 being ruggedised. It might use thicker plastic but the ports, fan vents, etc., are not protected.

John

 

I have an old NC10 netbook and it has been great for travel in every way... I spent 2 months in the Amazon with it (had movies loaded on & use it as a journal). It never failed despite very high temperatures and 100% humidity. Some people with Apples (not the fruit) ... well the Apples died of heat exhaustion....

 

Thank you! if I did more searching, I would have found this helpful web post.
http://www.netbookusers.com/smf/sam...grade-ram-memory-of-the-samsung-nb30-netbook/

Many reviews seem to use the word rugged but perhaps they don't know what that means. Sorry ^^"

 

Well, I ordered it today from tigerdirect. it should arrive tomorrow. It will be my first Samsung and my first netbook. Wish me luck! Hopefully, there will be no need to upgrade the RAM.

 

Oh boy. The physical memory is constantly on 60% with Windows 7 Starter. 50% if nothing is running. Multi-tasking is slow... It would be wise to upgrade memory isn't it?

 

Yes.

Also look around for a guide to putting Windows on a diet. The first thing I do is: My Computer > Properties > Advanced System Settings > Advanced > Performance > Visual Effects. Then set it to Best performance but tick the box for smoothing screen fonts.

If Samsung are still bundling McAfee then it would be prudent to remove it and install a less resource-heavy AV software such as NOD32.

John

 

I removed all junk as soon as I turned it on. I will certainly buy a RAM upgrade. I hope it will be worth the $46. Anyway, here is a short review after 6 hours with this netbook.

When I first took it out from the protection bag, there was already dust on it. There was even some marks on the lid. The screen had some slight marks too so I had to clean it well. Not a good first impression. Then, when I did Windows setup, I noticed a row of dead pixels at the very right edge. They disappeared after a while but they might return, isn't that so? One permanent dead pixel at the lower left area. I am trying my best to revive it but it seems there is no hope for it. Again, not a good first impression. :<

Now, some good news!
It has the best keyboard I've ever typed on. Absolutely NO flex and the keys are very firm and responsive. The typing noise is not loud but not quiet either. It didn't take me long to adjust to the size.
Great build quality. Solid. I love the rubber exterior finish and matte interior.
Good touch pad. Better than my experience with ASUS' new textured glossy pad.
Very bright screen with good vertical viewing angles. Minus the dead pixel. And the marks the factory workers made... I'm starting to think my netbook was a returned unit.

EDIT:
The problems really bothered me so I asked for an exchange. We will see how the new unit is, if I get one. Probably not...

 

IKilledyourhamster you sound like an animal lover ! By the by where did you buy your Samsung netbook? I recently bought one from Buyitdirect in the UK, and returned it since was convinced it was a returned product. It has dust as well a bit and fingerprints on the screen. It just felt not right. Then when i switched it on the fans were making too much noise constantly which is not right for an NC10 ( I already have one so I could compare). I promptly returned for refund.

 

I have a haunting past with hamsters. I will spare you the story!
I got it from TigerDirect.com. They were very nice to immediately accept my exchange request. I sent in my netbook only 15 minutes ago. Thank you for your reply because now I can expect another dirty NB30 with maybe more dead pixels. Did yours have any dead or lit pixels? Perhaps, Samsung repackages used products as new. Also, mine did not come with a screen cover sheet like my ASUS did.
What a shame... because this netbook is my dream. Only a dream, I guess!

 

In case anyone cares, the actually accepted my exchange request. They shipped it the same day too. I am impressed with TigerDirect!
Now, I wonder what surprise awaits me with this new unit.

 

New unit came today. As expected, there was slight finger print marks on the screen. I guess the workers don't wear any hand protection when they package it. The battery was sitting on top of the case sleeve. How silly... minus 2 points for Samsung!

However, the screen was perfect. No dead pixels :> No marks on the lid either. I'm happy with this one. Later, I will post a full review.

 

well no dead pixels I think but then again it also had a loud fan problem which is a definite no no on a Samsung NC10 ... Why did you go for the NB30? I am looking at the N150 bu cannot deal with Windows 7 starter ... I want XP on it and wondering whether I can put XP on it and if all the drivers are available ... I guess and N140 will have to do. I gave my NC10 (one I bought a year ago) to my wife, it's a great little travel book

 

Did you try the options offered by Easy SpeedUp Manager and the Fan Silent mode in the BIOS (User Guide page 60)?

N150 XP drivers and software are available.

John

 

Thank you John ! Yes well I already gad a Samsung NC10, and wanted to get a second one. The first one has been perfect out of the box so I expected the same. I cannot stand loud fans, or whining ones. I know about silent mode you take away processor speed? I guess inthe BIOS one can just make the fan go on less and hence have a more silent laptop without interfering in processor speed ? The new N150 looks like a good deal to me ... just a tad faster with that new processor. It's just for travel, the NC10 was brilliant and the N150 is still a bit lighter, will try it out. When I install XP does everything work straight up ? Or do I need to wipe all partitions re windows 7 on it ? Just need a clean install. Am guessing it comes with the usual Samsung recovery discs anyhow which will still contian a copy of Windows 7..

It would be great if there were an XP copy on the N150... would it be very slow with XP Professional ? Or same speed. I have a copy of XP Professional and it's an official good one, and it currently not used on any other laptop. It is Service pack 1 so I would need to do many updates ...don't know if it will work. Really they should still give the XP option for those who think Windows Starter is just not an option. Windows 7 Home Premium would be fine but would it make the system slow ?

 

well, i really wanted a netbook to take to school. ever since i got this netbook, i put away my old desktop. compared to my previous laptops and gaming desktop, of course it is ridiculously slow. after I upgrade the RAM to 2GB, i expect to see improvement however.
you are right, Windows 7 Starter is a P.O.S. but i am coping with it now. this netbook's interior is very ordinary but the excellent build quality is what sold me. I played around with other netbooks at stores (ASUS 1005/1001, Toshiba N205, Acer 1410) and they all had some sort of build problem like trampoline keyboard, flexing chassis, etc. also, this netbook has a matte screen and a matte interior finish. the lid and bottom is a rubber finish. I love it!
I'm not sure if I will ever get used to this horrible GMA 3150 and N450 processor but for now, it is enough.

 

My interpretation of the user guide is that the BIOS fan options give you the choice of having the fan running more often but slowly (and hence quieter) instead of short bursts of fan activity.

I'm not sure whether discs are included or whether Samsung would expect you to reinstall from a factory image in a hidden partition (there's usually an option to press F4 at the BIOS screen to get to this). Samsung may have also divided the HDD into two partitions so that user data and backups of C: can be stored in D:.

If you want to try XP then get nLite and use it to create a custom installation disc with (a) SP3 (get the full SP3 file) and the Samsung XP drivers. nLite also gives you the option to leave out unwanted bits of Windows and stop them from installing. However, a stripped down version of Windows 7 should run at least as well as a stripped down version of XP. Just avoid Vista.

If you want better performance in a small package then it costs more. However, first strip out unwanted processes and eye candy.

John

 

is there a better small package with more power and a matte screen ... I doubt it. The Lenovo X100e comes close but gets too hot and battery life is very average. I like the Samsung X120 but I don't believe it comes with a matter screen? I really like the NC20 as well but I can't do glossy screens ... I am currently typing on an old Toshiba Portege R205. Amazing how in 2004-5 Toshiba already had this laptop only weighing 1.2 KG only.

 

There's the R205's current successor, the Toshiba R600. However, it's a lot more expensive than a Samsung netbook.

Or you may be able to find a good second hand R500 for a reasonable price. I've got one in my computer collection and it's lighter than a netbook while have a 12.1" screen and built-in optical drive. However, the fan can get a bit noisy when the CPU is under load.

Or how about looking for a Dell E4200 at Dell Outlet or ebay?

John

 

Yes well the R205 has a very loud fan as well so no repeat of that ... was just to say that everyone is so impressed with this and that amazing light notebook/netbook when Toshiba had it years ago including the optical drive. Makes you wonder about progress LOL Well for some odd reason I can look for hours at a NC10 LED screen but I get instant eye strain looking at a LED screen of a T400 Lenovo ... so I am hesitant to get a Dell having never tried out their screens. With Lenovo apparently it is something about the frequency of the bad LED screen they use ... that is why I was looking to stay with Samsung hoping their come from one and the same place, as in the NC10, N150 etc