Samsung N130

Samsung N130

The Samsung N130 is one of two new 10-inch netbooks from a company whose machines have consistently impressed us with solid keyboards, performance, and endurance. While the N140 sports a premium design, the N130 is all about value. At $349 (with street prices often below $300), this netbook looks similar to the N140 but offers less performance and battery life. We don’t think the $50 consumers will save is worth these trade-offs, but if you care more about price than all-day computing, the N130 may meet your needs. The 10.7 x 7.4 x 1.2-inch, 2.6-pound N130 is almost the same size as the N140, but has a shape reminiscent of the pebble design on the Samsung Go (N310) minus the grainy, rubberized surface. Instead, a matte plastic graces the lid and chassis—this is no fingerprint magnet like the N140. We still like the rounded edges on this design and appreciate the more subdued logo. Unfortunately, the N130 only comes in white with two different colors for the lid—Slate Blue and Pink—and no chrome accents. Like the N140, the N130’s power switch now sits on the front of the unit and is a slider, not a button.