Ever since it released the NC10, which was the first netbook to achieve more than 6 hours of battery life, Samsung has been known for producing premium-quality netbooks that offer long endurance, comfortable keyboards, and strong performance. With a similar design, specs, and performance to the NC10, the $439 N120 offers only one new riff on this classic melody: a wider chassis that houses a full-size keyboard and bezel-mounted speakers. Although slightly more expensive than some competitors—and despite its display’s narrow viewing angles—the N120 is an excellent netbook.
Design
The N120’s off-white chassis (also available in black) closely resembles that of the N110 and NC10. Although there are more attractive netbooks, such as the ultrathin ASUS 1008HA, the chrome trim along the left and right sides of this system gives it a bit of flair. To accommodate the larger keyboard, however, the N120’s chassis is 0.4 inches wider than its predecessors. Fortunately, the added girth hasn’t affected the weight; all three systems tip the scales at 2.8 pounds. The extra width means that the screen is surrounded by a wider bezel. And, whereas the large bezel hurts the aesthetics, it does allow room for the speakers to be front mounted, which improves the sound quality.
Ports
The N120 comes with the standard set of ports we’ve come to expect on 10-inch netbooks: an Ethernet port and two USB connectors adorn the left side; a Kensington lock, VGA-out, audio in/out, and a third USB are mounted on the right. A 3-in-1 memory card reader sits under the front lip.
Keyboard and Touchpad
Samsung claims that the N120’s 12-inch keyboard is full size and therefore larger than the keyboards on most netbooks, including other 10-inch Samsungs. In measuring the G-key on several netbooks, we noted that the N120’s key was 11/16 of an inch as compared to 10/16 of an inch for those keys on the Samsung NC10, and the HP Mini 2140.
Although the difference in key size was hardly noticeable when looking at the N120 side by side with its competitors, there’s no doubt that its keyboard is one of the best on any netbook we’ve used. All of its keys are positioned correctly, large, and offered generous tactile feedback, without any unnecessary flex. On the ten thumbs typing test (www.tenthumbstypingtutor.com), we achieved a strong score of 80 words per minute with a two-percent error rate, the same score we get on a typical notebook keyboard.
The touchpad, though narrow, is highly accurate and pleasant enough to use. Its mouse buttons are easy to click, but they’re controlled by a single bar without a divot.
Screen and Webcam
The 10.1-inch screen delivers a native resolution of 1024 x 600, which is a welcome change from several netbooks we’ve seen recently with 1024 x 576 panels. When you’re trying to surf the Web on a small screen, a four-percent difference in vertical pixels is huge. The glossy panel offers bright and vibrant colors, but poor viewing angles; images appear washed out when viewed from slightly higher than eye level, or from 45 degrees and greater.
The 1.3-megapixel webcam took reasonably sharp images, although colors were dull in low light. And when making a Skype call from our office, our correspondent couldn’t tell whether we were wearing a green or a gray shirt.
