We’ve recenlty managed to get our hands on Samsung’s latest addition to its netbook range, the NB30. Boasting ruggedised features this is an ideal candidate if you’re looking to buy a machine for your child, or simply looking for greater protection for your data.
Launched at this months British Education and Training Technology exhibition, the NB30 features a hard drive with a free fall sensor. This detects when the NB30 has been dropped, and docks the drive heads in a bid to minimise the damage to your data. This could prove very useful in the hurly burly of the classroom environment.
The NB30 also is also resistant to spilt liquids, and features a smart scratch resistant skin which not only protects the machine’s components but also means the NB30 doesn’t’ suffer from the scratches and scuffs shinier machines quickly collect.
The NB30’s 10.1-inch screen has a 1024 x 600 pixel resolution which is sharp and bright, and we like the fact that there’s no shiny Super-TFT screen coating causing irritating reflections in bright light.
Built quality is excellent, and the laptop feels very solid. At 1.3kg its not the lightest machine around, maybe a consideration of your buying for small children, and there isn’t a handle for ease of carrying – a feature the Fizzbook spin successfully boasts.
Samsung has introduced a new keyboard design for the NB30, and its one of the best and most intuitive netbook boards we’ve used and we were quickly typing at full speed.
Intel’s new Atom N450 provides the NB30’s processing power, and you’ll find enough performance for running office applications such as word processors with ease. A benefit of Intel’s latest processor is the extended battery life it provides, and Samsung claim to have achieved and impressive 11 hours of battery from one charge.
Other features include a webcam for video chatting on the internet, Bluetooth, 802.11n Wi-Fi and even a USB port which can charge your peripherals when the NB30 is off.
We very much like what the NB30 has to offer, but for our final verdict make sure you pick up issue 135 of What Laptop, in stores on the 12th of March.
Available now, the NB30 starts at £257 inc. VAT
For more information click here. 
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Offering compact mobility at truly affordable prices, netbooks are the perfect way to stay busy on the move, whether you want to work on the daily commute, browse the internet in the garden, or buy a cheap portable for the kids. With so many models available, however, how do you decide which is the right one for your needs? To help you choose, we've put together the only netbook buyer's guide you'll ever need.