The Samsung NC20 (12.1" netbook) thread

As I understand it, 4GB of RAM on the chipset the NC20 uses requires dual-channels. So you'd have to have two memory sockets to go to 4GB.

This is in no way authoritative, though. I read it recently on the Internet, and you know how that goes.

 

Hmm... that conflicts with what I just found.

I went to an internet advice site (paid £8 for the trouble... curiosity and impatience got the better of me!), and asked an experienced computer person. In her opinion, the chipset should be able to access all 4GB from a single channel.

She also directed me to the offical specs, which I tried to look at yesterday, but the VIA website was down:

http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/chipsets/v-series/vx800/

Here it clearly states that the maximum framebuffer is 256MB, so I'm assuming that means the available video RAM wouldn't increase to 512MB, even if 4GB were put into the motherboard.

 

I've found a link to the VIA technical support forums. I've asked their staff for the final word on this. When (...if...?) they get back to me, I'll post here.

 

Hi.

Regarding the memory that definitely does work in the NC20, is this 2 Gb OCZ RAM the correct one to order?

OCZ2M8002G

OCZ PC2-6400 DDR2 SODIMM

I only ask because elsewhere "Non Ecc" is specified and this aspect isn't mentioned for the OCZ.

Cheers.

 

ECC is a special version of RAM which includes error checking.

All the standard RAM is non-ECC. That OCZ module should be fine in the NC20.

John

 

Thanks John for the Photoshop reply above - it has strengthened my choice for this netbook. Unfortunately the 'black' color is not coming to Australia, so I am forced to purchase online. Funny thing is I would be making a saving of ~$150 AUD including shipping... big saving!

Anyone (Aussies?) know a good reliable store to purchase from? Amazon US? Newegg?

As I wont be able to inspect the screen prior to my online purchase, I am concerned about faulty pixels (black, white, stuck red, blue or green). Sure its unlikely and if it was a big tv, a few dead pixels may not be noticeable, but on a 12" I would constantly see it and it would annoy... especially with the travel photography work I plan to do.

I just got off the phone with Samsung Australia and they had absolutely no training on this product and were unable to advise on the return policy for faulty pixels. From my past experience they do a full product replacement within 7 days for any faulty pixels on new LCD's of a certain size.


Can anyone please call Samsung US or UK to determine the international warranty terms for replacement under faulty pixel policy?

 

VIA are being wankers. It's really very annoying... I've asked them a staight question, and I'm getting nothing but BS in return.

 

I don't think you'll find out without trying.

Even if they say it can or it can't, you won't really know for sure.

 

Yeah, maybe so...

... I've got embroiled in an argument over on that forum because nobody was answering me. Turns out that, even though the front page claims that the forum is moderated by VIA staff, actually it isn't. They're just volunteers. And the best answer they can give me is, "ask Samsung".

 

We had exactly the same issue when 2GB modules became affordable. Many of the notebooks which would actually work with them were officially incompatible because the notebook manufacturers only claimed compatibility with whatever they had tested.

John

 

I see.

Well, the official word from Samsung is... 2GB maximum. But I guess that doesn't really draw a line under anything, in view of what you've said, John!

 

There is an excellent review of the NC20 at techreport.

John

 

Thanks John, that is a very good review and I enjoyed reading it. Probably one of the best all inclusive reviews I've read to date on the NC20. Sometimes I wish I had purchased it instead of the NC120, though I've been tremendously happy with it to date.

 

i have a quick question.. i just got nc 20 this week. everything works great..

now from time to time, there is a slowness in cursor, i am not sure how i can explain it.. but, it seems like computer slows down for brief moment.

i upgraded to 2G also and was hoping added video memory will cure that but it did not.. i am dual booting xp and win 7. (i did update for win 7 driver) .

 

My first guess is that some other process is temporarily hogging the CPU.

John

 

Still no word if someone has actually tried a 4gb of ram yet?

 

Can someone comment on the screen quality of this notebook, and especially the yellow tint issue?

 

I can't remember any yellow tint and I was looking at the screen last week. If there was any when new then I made a small adjustment in the display settings. Glossiness is what I remember, but my normal notebook (Dell E6400) has an excellent matte screen so I notice the reflection problems every time I look at a glossy screen.

John

 

I've seen it a couple of times. It's an average glossy screen with a limited narrow vertical viewing angle.

Notebookjournal measured 1:195 contrast and 184 cd/m² bright. Brightness is ok but not enough for comfortable working outside.

 

Man, I thought I had logged into the Apple forum. Yellow tint issues. That is what everyone is whining about with the new 3Gs iPhone. Mine has a great display, while it is warmer than some that are overly blue, I really like it. I think it is much more natural.

I'd say the same for any display! I hate a really brite blue display, but that is me. The reason it tends to make things looked washed out.

 

I would prefer a slightly warm cast (reds) over a cool blue cast but I don't consider yellow tinting very warm or nice. I'm prob going to get this notebook but I hope that the yellow tint is adjustable or non existent. I've been looking for a decent inexpensive notebook/netbook in the 12-13" area and this is the most perfect I've found so far.

Soon as I sell my Sager I'll pick one up and comment on how I feel about the screen. I hope it works out.

 

The tint is definitely adjustable using the S3 Screen Toy should it be a problem.

John

 

Hey john, the link is dead....now at least.

Anyone else think this notebook would be pretty sweet in Red?

 

I would like to have a black one, if it weighed 1.3 kg.

 

I actually like the pearl white, at least for the exterior. I also like what was done recently on a newer netbook (Asus? Acer?) where they used white on the outside and a darker color for the inside. That makes sense to me.

 

The link works for me.

A matte burgundy red would be nice. I liked the red Q35 although it was glossy.

John

 

Would any of you know how the NC20 compares to the Lenovo S12 (either with the Via nano or the Atom processor)?
Thanks!!