Samsung's NC10 isn't just a netbook--it's a series of interesting choices. It scores a couple points with a good screen, great battery life, and keys sized appropriately for human hands. However, before we rip into this review, you should be aware that a better, more satisfying model--the Samsung N110--is on the scene as well. Back to the netbook at hand. When I first laid hands on the NC10, my gut reaction was that it seemed an awful lot like the original Lenovo IdeaPad S10. Measuring 10.3 by 7.3 by 1.5 inches and weighing 2.9 pounds, it has similar lines and a similar layout to that machine. And it has a similar price--it sells for about $440. But after shaking off that creeping sense of déjà vu, I grew to love--and hate--the NC10 for a couple of reasons. Let's stick with the positives for now. The matte screen is an unusual choice, but the 10.1-inch, 1024-by-600-pixel panel works fairly well in all sorts of lighting conditions. It's also reasonably bright, given how matte displays don't pop as well as glossy screens.
