Samsung NC10 Netbook: Yes, That Keyboard Really Is Great

It doesn't take much to differentiate yourself from your netbook rivals, and once word got out that the Samsung NC10 had a far better keyboard than other budget ultraportables we've seen, it developed quite a pre-advance following.  Laptop Mag have spent some hands-on time with the NC10, and return with nothing that will really dissuade would-be buyers; the netbook feels just as fast as its Atom brethren, and that keyboard really is good.

In fact, they're saying it could actually be the best keyboard on a netbook yet, ousting the MSI Wind U100 from that esteemed position.  Part of the allure is that it's 93-percent of the size of a standard keyboard – according to Samsung's calculations, anyway – with build-quality and finish a notch above the rest.

While there was no chance to benchmark, expect the usual turn of speed from the single-core 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, 1GB of RAM and 120GB hard-drive.  There's also a 1.3-megapixel webcam and a 6-cell battery; it'll run Windows XP and be available in blue and white when it launches in the US for $499.  Check out Laptop Mag's video demo at the link above.