Netbooks at CTIA Wireless 2009: Quality Trumps Quantity

by Chris Preimesbergerin Las Vegas

The Samsung N310, released to retail in mid-March in the West Pacific Rim, is a smooth-edged, 10.1-inch-screen netbook with a “pebbled” keyboard that features lifted and separated keys. The keyboard is 97 percent the size of a regular keyboard, making it easier to navigate for people with larger fingers. The N310 sports an Atom N270 processor, preinstalled Windows Home operating system, a VGA port, three USB ports, a 3-in-1 card reader, and support for Wi-Fi, Ethernet and Bluetooth.

The Samsung N120 netbook, which is scheduled to be released the week of April 6, has all the features of the N310 plus multimedia-style speakers—including a subwoofer. Another interesting feature is the always-live USB ports, so a user can charge up an iPod or iPhone without having to turn on the computer.

The new, rounded design comes in several colors, including blue, red, black and white.

A close-up of the keyboard reveals that the keys are separated and raised slightly, making the keyboard easier to navigate—an important feature for netbook users.

MSI released the full specifications of its Wind U123 and the X-Slim X320 and X340 notebooks. The new Wind model is MSI’s first to offer a 3G solution and a TV tuner, and it features Intel’s new 1.66GHz Atom N280 processor. Pricing: about $350. (Photo taken at Pepcom Mobile Focus.)

The CTIA welcome display sits quietly in the South Hall, after all the hubbub has died down following the end of another international conference.