Samsung NC20 review

It's the Via Nano U2250, to be precise; a single-core processor with a 1.33GHz clockspeed. There's no HyperThreading or anything of the sort, so the single core shows up as just that in the Performance tab of Windows Task Manager, but performance is more competitive than VIA's previous architectures.

It's partly due to neat features such as the dynamic overclocking. This ups the processor speed when the CPU core is running cool - during our testing the U2250 spent most of its time skipping along at 1.5GHz, which easily casts off memories of the old Via C7-M in HP's 2133 Mini Note.

Part of the Nano's success is due to the Chrome 9 HC3 graphics sitting alongside. We put the Atom-powered Samsung NC10 and Nano-powered NC20 side-by-side and VIA's Chrome 9 acquitted itself admirably. Despite running at 1,280 x 800 rather than the NC10's 1,024 x 600 - and consequently having to push 60% more pixels - the VIA kept pace, managing smooth full-screen video playback from iPlayer and YouTube with only the very occasional hiccup.

720p clips on YouTube were too much for either netbook, but even here the VIA's chipset managed to muddle through with less stuttering than Intel's GMA 950. Vimeo's HD channel saw the VIA trounce the Intel graphics, with smooth jerk-free playback that the NC10 couldn't manage.

Unlike Dell's unwise decision to partner the Mini 12 with Vista, Samsung has stuck with the tried and tested netbook OS of choice, Windows XP Home. Coupled with the Nano processor and just 1GB of memory, XP feels surprisingly nippy and responsive; programs leap into action with impressive eagerness and our subjective experience left us impressed.

Our benchmarks largely agreed too, with the NC20 scoring 0.40. That leaves the NC20 a little behind the NC10 and its 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270, but it's still an impressive debut for VIA's latest arrival, and especially so considering its lower clockspeed.

Plenty of juice

Thanks to the choice of a capacious 6-cell battery, the NC20 doesn't let itself down when it comes to stamina either. Despite the larger display the NC20 lasted for an impressive 6hrs 46mins in our light-use test. Turn on wireless and start using the NC20 in anger and that figure soon dwindles to nearer the four-hour mark, but it's still way ahead of Dell's Mini 12.

Elsewhere the specification is almost identical to that of the NC10: a 160GB hard disk, 802.11bg wireless and Bluetooth 2.0. The NC20's speakers are a significant improvement on the NC10's fuzzy warbles: there's still no bass to speak of, and they lack the warmth of Asus' Eee PC 1000-series, but there's plenty of volume and enough clarity for general usage. The crucial differences come down to screen size and that marginally improved keyboard.

So will the NC20 repeat the success of its little sibling? With only Dell's disappointing Inspiron Mini 12 so far released, Samsung really doesn't have a great deal of competition at this size. Indeed, factor in the £328 price and its more serious rivals may well be budget laptops. For around £450, Samsung's 12.1in Q210 is an obvious alternative: though heavier at 1.95kg, if you're planning on using it as your sole laptop then its superior performance and specification make it a far more versatile candidate for everyday usage.