Samsung Q430-JS02UK

Samsung Q430-JS02UK review

The Samsung Q430-JS02UK is a compact laptop, yet still manages to pack an impressive amount of power and strong mobility into its sleek, silver chassis. This a slim laptop with a depth of only 35mm, and with a weight of just 2.2kg, it's also light, making it a good choice for commuters. The battery life of 294 minutes further enhances portability. The brushed-aluminium finish to the plastic chassis gives it a solid appearance, although there's a little flex towards the centre of the palm rest. We also liked the dark grainy design on the lid, which does a great job of masking fingerprints. The strong build quality continues with the isolation-style keyboard, which proves excellent for touch-typing and, while we would have preferred a larger touchpad, at least the one in place is smooth and responsive during use. True widescreen Since the Samsung is compact, the screen is also smaller at just 14 inches. However, this proves perfectly comfortable to work on for long periods and the true widescreen aspect ratio is great for watching movies or working on documents side by side. Contrast levels are strong, but the screen is reflective and doesn't bend far back from vertical, so it can be difficult to see in bright conditions.